At what age did you (or would you) begin to leave your kids home alone…either alone or with an elder sibling, no babysitters/relatives etc?
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Uhm…when the eldest will be 21? 
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Isn't the legal age 12 or something. I have a long ways to go.
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minimum 12 and will not leave any younger than a toddler with them
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15 
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I am surprised that my neighbors have babysitters for thier babies and kids that 12, 13 years old. They are a child themselves - God forbid if something goes wrong.
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^ yes that is risky.
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These are not the days that we grew up in. My hubby and I just had a really long talk about that. I'm unhappy where we live - my boys cannot go out and about on their bikes or even walking down the street like I was able to do at their age. Times have changed since then for sure. These days, its all about arranged "playdates".
I'd not leave my kids unsupervised by anyone under age 18. And they'd have to be a mature 18 at that. Otherwise who knows what could happen -and if something bad DID happen, you could lose your kids for leaving them without proper supervision.
Methinks Kristy and Claudia and the gang would not have a very successful business today. 
*brownie points for anyone who gets my reference 
*
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When I was growing up, I was SO thrilled to earn my "babysitting" badge in Girl Scouts at age 11 and I was a babyssitter at age 12. I earned (pathetic) but much appreciated money and did a great job.
But these days, it wont fly. Theres too many evil people on the planet. You cannot hire a 12 year old no matter HOW mature, to sit for younger kids while you go out for a meal. Something goes wrong, you end up in jail and your kids go to CPS. I'll stay home thank youverymuch.
Haha good times!
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I hired a gori bbaysitter when my son was 3 months for occasional nights out. She was older (in her fifties). I have also had a desi 13 year old sitter at my house now that my kids are older. Home alone rules vary from state to state. Not sure when i will leave them alone though, the eldest in 9, youngest is 4. Maybe when teh eldest is 15? But I am sure hubby will push when my son is 11 or so as our home state's laws say 10 is the age kids can be left alone.
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I've been the guilty of leaving my kids alone at much younger age.
I did drag them along most of the time but at times there were no other options. First time i left them was for an hour...when my eldest was 6...younger 4...n i had to take my youngest (1.5) to hospital in emergency. Boys were asleep at that time...I woke up the eldest n told him to be careful n just be alert in case his brother wakes up. Thankfully it went well.
I have lived most of my married life (12years) on my own..hubs works abroad...n i didn't had any relatives near by. I still live like that but Alhamdulillah things are easing out now hen my eldest is 11 n mashaAllah quite responsible...now i often leave youngest (2.5) in his supervision. I really am not comfy with baby sitters so basically i had no options.
Awww…it seems like ages since I read one of their books…you made me feel all nostalgic for a second