How Old Does My Child Have to Be to Be Left Home Alone

Burlington has afterschool programs as well - however the school he goes to is in the school district but not in town and the bus company was not able to get kids from our school in to town to go to the afterschool program :(

Believe me - I would love to have that option.....

That the kid has his own psychiatrist has led me to change my conclusion to: No, don't leave an 8 year old home alone.

The after school thing at school sounds like a good idea.

Yes he made a choice and as usual others get to pay the price :(

Now I'm trying to be responsible in my decision making by doing this research with sites like this and social workers and his shrink. I'm sorry if you disagree.

God Bless ~ Shanon

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Adjusterjack - ANY and ALL children of divorced homes should be in counseling...........

Ok, if the after school program doesn't work(maybe those teenagers could drop him off).....The 'class mom' (actually a dad in my daughters class) sent home a list within the first week of school of select other parents phone numbers and names. We've used that list maybe 3-4 times this year for forgotten homework assignments and playdates. BUT, if i were in the situation you are in, i would call around and see what other parents do. There is no way you are the only parent that works. Someone has to have a babysitter they recommend or an after school program they can 'car pool' your child and theirs together to.

I'm putting out these options because, i really don't think you should leave an 8yr old home alone, i just don't think it's safe. Every problem has a solution, you just sometimes have to be a bit creative to figure it out.

That's a really valid point - without a doubt, there are several options you can look into, with none of them leading to the "iffy" consequences.

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Quoting Dogmatique

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That's a really valid point - without a doubt, there are several options you can look into, with none of them leading to the "iffy" consequences.

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Ok, i've got to go to sleep, Dogmatique agreed with me, i'm delusional with exhaustion!

Hang in there and I'll throw in cookies :D

I'd LOVE to comment but I noticed that the Administrators enjoy deleting any response.

So be it. Anyone could call DCFS and file a complaint. You could loose your child for leaving him alone for one or two hours.
It WILL cost you over $30,000 to retain a good Attorney to fight for your cause.
As it is though, DCFS or whatever is looking at the Federal Incentive that they get in any case. DCFS has been known to create cases where there is none.
DCFS, DSS, CPS or whatever gets over $30,000 incentive from the Federal Government to create a case and the Caseworkers get a bonus for the children removed from homes. Whether there is evidence or not. They will create a case where there should be none.

I wouldn't do it if I were you.

I would pay that extra $20 per day to have the Day Care pick him up rather than take the risk.

Good luck.

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Quoting Ohmyheaven

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I'd LOVE to comment but I noticed that the Administrators enjoy deleting any response.

So be it. Anyone could call DCFS and file a complaint. You could loose your child for leaving him alone for one or two hours.
It WILL cost you over $30,000 to retain a good Attorney to fight for your cause.
As it is though, DCFS or whatever is looking at the Federal Incentive that they get in any case. DCFS has been known to create cases where there is none.
DCFS, DSS, CPS or whatever gets over $30,000 incentive from the Federal Government to create a case and the Caseworkers get a bonus for the children removed from homes. Whether there is evidence or not. They will create a case where there should be none.

I wouldn't do it if I were you.

I would pay that extra $20 per day to have the Day Care pick him up rather than take the risk.

Good luck.

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part of the reason your posts get deleted is they are simply not true. Your attempt to scare the OP is a bit much.

First, your claim of $30k for an attorney; unlikely
2nd, the claim they would need an attorney; unlikely
3rd,, that they would lose their child; unlikely


unless CPS found the child to be in immediate danger, more than likely they will recommend the mother not leave the child alone. They are not there to remove children unnecessarily and this would not be a situation where it would be in the best interest to remove the child from the home.


Yes, anybody can call CPS and CPS is going to investigate. They will speak to the child, the parents, and probable a few other people. They will then make a determination and recommendation as to their opinion on the matter. After having been through a similar situation (I had one child about this age and one about 3 years older), it was actually a fairly relaxed situation, especially after they met the kids and made a determination concerning their maturity and ability to do what I was asking of them.


Oh, and to this:

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DCFS, DSS, CPS or whatever gets over $30,000 incentive from the Federal Government to create a case and the Caseworkers get a bonus for the children removed from homes.

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absolute bullshit. If it were that easy, they would be opening files left and right. It simply is not true.

and the caseworkers get a bonus? Are you out of your mind? The caseworkers don't get squat but one more case to deal with.

Great Googly Moogly. That's the second biggest pile of horse manure today.