At some point, the conversation is going to come up. You and your partner have to
go out, and your child balks at being left with a babysitter. He just feels like he’s too old,
and wants to be trusted to take care of himself. It’s an incredible moment; just another
example of your baby starting to grow up. But how do you know if he’s ready for that? It
the child is mature, understands the rules, and is prepared for all contingencies, staying
home alone for the first time can be an important and rewarding moment in his life. He’ll
feel a new sense of self-confidence and independence, will understand he’s gaining
responsibility, and will truly know that you trust him. However, there are always going to
be risks. How will your child deal with challenges, or unexpected emergencies? There is
no set, legal age when children are allowed to stay home alone. It’s really based on their
maturity. So how can you tell if your child is ready and prepared to be home on his own?

In part, the decision may depend on the circumstances. Are you leaving for just an
hour or two, or is it all day? Will they be alone at night? Will they have to make their
own meals? There’s more to be concerned with at night, as kids will have less access to
assistance. But if you live in a safe neighborhood, your child understands clearly not to
open the door for strangers, and you’ve taken care of any potential hazards in the home,
you can probably rest easy.

You may also want to take the time to prepare your child with the skills necessary
to stay safe. Make sure they know who they should contact if an emergency arises,
and that they have all of your numbers. It may feel like overkill, but giving your child the
basics of first aid will only have you and him resting easier about the whole situation.
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