Do you remember how old you were the first time you were left home alone?

What age do you think is appropriate to leave your child at home by themselves for the first time?

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I know I was young. I'd guess probably around 11 or 12. My mom didn't leave me home for long periods of time right from the start, though. She'd leave me while she went to go pick up a pizza from around the corner or go grab something from my grandmother's house who lived about 5 minutes away.

Once I was 13, though, I can say without a doubt that I was able to be left at home for however long I needed to be. I was pretty self sufficient by then.

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Some of my friends were allowed to stay home alone a lot sooner than I was. One of my friends was left alone at nine-years-old, but she had an older sister there, too. Technically, I guess that's not really alone, is it?

The point is that kids all develop differently, both physically and mentally. Some are prepared to stay by themselves sooner rather than later. Other kids might need a few more years to mentally and emotionally mature before it's safe to leave them home alone.

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Leaving Your Kid Home Alone In NJ

Believe it or not, New Jersey leaves that decision totally up to the parents. There is no legal age on the books that says a child has finally matured enough to stay home by themselves all day. It's up to parental discretion whether or not a child can handle a full day without any parental or adult supervision.

While you won't get in trouble for leaving your child home alone at a young age, it's important to note that if anything goes wrong, Child Protective Services may have to get involved, depending on the situation.

D. Anschutz
D. Anschutz
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Parents Need To Really Know Their Kids

Parents have to be smart about the decision to leave their kids home alone. Think long and hard about whether or not your child could handle calling 911 if anything serious were to happen. Does the kid know who to call if he or she needs an adult and can't get ahold of mom or dad? Obviously, make sure the kid has enough to eat for the length of time he or she will be alone in the house. That's especially true if the child can't use the stove.

Parents get to determine when their kids are ready to stay home alone in New Jersey. Still, they better know their kids pretty well before making the wrong call.

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