CandyRain said:So 8 is the magic number, huh?
greyhound said:A: Family Law Article, § 5-801, provides:
(a) A person who is charged with the care of a child under the age of 8 years may not allow the child to be locked or confined in a dwelling, building, enclosure, or motor vehicle while the person charged is absent and the dwelling, building, enclosure, or motor vehicle is out of the sight of the person charged unless the person charged provides a reliable person at least 13 years old to remain with the child to protect the child.
(b) A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $500 or imprisonment not exceeding 30 days, or both.
8 and up can be left alone in a home or vehicle. 7 and under must have someone at least 13 years old with them at all times.CableChick said:Confusing. Can you leave them alone at 9 or at 13?
That's what I'd call it. I don't know as I'd be comfortable leaving an 8 year old home for anything more than me running next door to the neighbor's.Nanny Pam said:I think 10 years old.
The way that reads it would be o.k. to leave them out in the middle of a field, in your yard or at the beach. Just as long as they are not confined. There must be more to it than that.greyhound said:A: Family Law Article, § 5-801, provides:
(a) A person who is charged with the care of a child under the age of 8 years may not allow the child to be locked or confined in a dwelling, building, enclosure, or motor vehicle while the person charged is absent and the dwelling, building, enclosure, or motor vehicle is out of the sight of the person charged unless the person charged provides a reliable person at least 13 years old to remain with the child to protect the child.
(b) A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $500 or imprisonment not exceeding 30 days, or both.
I don't care what age a kid is, I don't think it's ever a good idea to leave the house without letting them know they are on their own.CandyRain said:My son's only 7. The reason I'm asking is because he goes to bed at 8:30, he's a sound sleeper (and I mean NEVER gets up for ANYTHING, not even to pee), and there are times, like at 9 when I'm still up and my to-do list is still weighing on my mind, when I think, "Hmmmmm, hopefully sometime soon, I can run to the grocery store and pick up a couple things." My only worry is that that would be the night he got up for a drink of water.
CandyRain said:My son's only 7. The reason I'm asking is because he goes to bed at 8:30, he's a sound sleeper (and I mean NEVER gets up for ANYTHING, not even to pee), and there are times, like at 9 when I'm still up and my to-do list is still weighing on my mind, when I think, "Hmmmmm, hopefully sometime soon, I can run to the grocery store and pick up a couple things." My only worry is that that would be the night he got up for a drink of water.
CandyRain said:My son's only 7. The reason I'm asking is because he goes to bed at 8:30, he's a sound sleeper (and I mean NEVER gets up for ANYTHING, not even to pee), and there are times, like at 9 when I'm still up and my to-do list is still weighing on my mind, when I think, "Hmmmmm, hopefully sometime soon, I can run to the grocery store and pick up a couple things." My only worry is that that would be the night he got up for a drink of water.
I would have a "Home Alone" conversation with him WELL before I would ever do it. Since I'm a single parent, we've also had the "if-you-wake-up-and-find-mommy-sleeping-and-she-won't-wake-up" conversation many times.kwillia said:I don't care what age a kid is, I don't think it's ever a good idea to leave the house without letting them know they are on their own.
CandyRain said:I would have a "Home Alone" conversation with him WELL before I would ever do it. Since I'm a single parent, we've also had the "if-you-wake-up-and-find-mommy-sleeping-and-she-won't-wake-up" conversation many times.
I didn't say I was gonna do it now. When I was a kid, I spent 2 1/2 hours alone after school M-F so I figured the age was sometime between now and 9. MY GOD!! I guess I should've taken this to the "Not So Self Righteous Parenting" forum. :notetoselffornexttime:Tina2001aniT said:Are you serious?? he's 7, and you want to leave him at home alone sleeping?? The as you described VERY sound sleeping 7 year old???