'Moms Talk' Q & A: At What Age Can Children Be Left Alone?

Each week the council will answer a question on parenthood posed to them by readers or another member of council.

This week, the topic was the appropriate age when children can be left alone.

Kim Zannetti: We actually tackle this topic in one of my classes at John Carroll.  The state guideline is that children can be left alone at the age of 9 for 45 minutes. The time increases by 15 minutes for each additional year.

There is also no stipulation between leaving a child alone during the day or evening. We left our children "alone" for the first time at 10. I drove around the block a couple of times for about 20 minutes to see how they would do.  My husband and I both felt that we would only leave them alone when they could tell us basic first aid, show they could contact both of us if needed, as well as neighbors, etc.

We also had the rule initially that while we were gone they were not allowed to eat (choking) or go up and down steps (falling). I think that was more for our peace of mind, but we have eventually with experience and time eased up on some of that.  I really think it depends on the child and the parent's comfort zone. While I wouldn't feel comfortable leaving young children alone for the day, there are some 10-year-olds I know that are more mature and capable than some 40-year-olds.