Some parents dread it, while others are anxiously awaiting it… the day when their child proudly proclaims, “Mom, I’m too old for a sitter!”
As families look ahead to planning summer child care, how do they determine if their child is ready to go it alone? And when are they responsible enough to be in charge of younger siblings?
Laura Davis from College Sitters discussed what to consider if your family is thinking about taking that big step and offered advice about how to determine if your child is ready to go solo.
Q. This is a big question a lot of families will face especially as we start thinking about planning for summer. First, are there legal guidelines as far as what age kids are able to stay home alone?
- In Hennepin County there are no legal rules
- 12 years old if less than 4 hours and daytime
- 13 year olds can stay alone and watch siblings for up to 4 hours
Q. Are there behaviors we should look for that would indicate that our child is ready for this responsibility?
- The child asking if he/she can stay home alone is the first signal they might be ready
- Is your child able to entertain themselves and make good choices without asking you every time?
- Have you witnessed them being a problem solver? For example: if there’s no milk in the fridge can they come up with something else to eat for breakfast?
- How will YOU feel while you’re away from home? Does your gut tell you that your child would not panic but instead go to a neighbor’s home if something happened like the electricity going out?
Q. How do we know if they’re ready to not only take care of themselves but younger siblings as well?
- Consider the age difference between the children
- Set up a family meeting that determines ground rules
- Can the older child be counted on to react in an emergency in a way that will keep the others calm and safe?
- Does the older child WANT to be the babysitter? Just because they seem old enough, doesn’t automatically mean they want the job.
Q. What do you suggest if your child thinks he’s old enough to stay home alone, but you’re not quite sure yet?
- Start slowly and allow the child to stay alone for 30-45 minutes and then have a sitter come for the remainder of the time.
- Set ground rules that the child has to meet before being given this new responsibility. Like completing their chores regularly, helping to make dinner, maybe even taking the Red Cross Babysitter Course.
- If you’re still not certain they’re ready, College Sitters can provide a young, hip college role model that would serve as more of a “companion” than a sitter
Q. Do you have any tips for the first time they stay home alone?
- ease your child into it and talk about different scenarios
- do they know their address and home phone number as well as your cell number by heart?
- do they have a neighbor they know well enough to call for help in case of an emergency?
- do a few trial runs where you are 15 minutes away and the neighbors are home