When is my son old enough?

[Mr and Mrs Bird 0]

Hi everybody

This might sound stupid, but I am having a discussion with my husband about when we dare to leave our sons alone home 4 or 5 days here in US?

My son is 16 and his is 15

I am from Denmark where kids are responsable for many things from when they are 15. And I don't see any problems with my son.

But here in California I feel that we can't go any places for some days without getting problems from maybe the Highschool if they should need us and also who shall call the kid in seek?

Is there any regulations or laws for us to be adware of before we are doing any travels alone?

We still need our honeymoon

[Ladylethal 12]

Back home in Brazil we started being home alone after age 13, although we'd have a cook coming in daily to make us lunch and check out things in the house. After 15 we were able to be totally alone.

[john_and_marlene 162]

In the eyes of the California legal system and among child development experts, there are no clear rules. But parents can follow some guidelines based on their children's maturity level and experience handling situations, experts said.

Rest of the article: http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn41...08/ai_n15991593

[Sinergy 3]

when kids are involved and you want a honeymoon you have 2 choices, get someone to watch them, or wait til they are mature enough to stay at home for a number of days alone. sometimes we have to sacrifice for our kids

Edited November 1, 2007 by Ionescu

[*JG* 2]

My son is 15 and no where near mature or responsible enough to stay home by himself for 4-5 days. While we work, he may be by himself or with my 12 year old daughter; but only for a work shift.

[Mr and Mrs Bird 0]

My son is 15 and no where near mature or responsible enough to stay home by himself for 4-5 days. While we work, he may be by himself or with my 12 year old daughter; but only for a work shift.

There are very much difference on kids I know. I wouldn't let my husbands son on 15 stay alone 1 day. But since my own son on 16. 17 in a few month is very mature of his age I wouldn't be worry at all.

Kids over here seems for me to be more under protection and are kids longer.

[*JG* 2]

It's a dangerous world out there.

[Kevin and 10]

My son is 15 and no where near mature or responsible enough to stay home by himself for 4-5 days. While we work, he may be by himself or with my 12 year old daughter; but only for a work shift.

There are very much difference on kids I know. I wouldn't let my husbands son on 15 stay alone 1 day. But since my own son on 16. 17 in a few month is very mature of his age I wouldn't be worry at all.

Kids over here seems for me to be more under protection and are kids longer.

So true.

[Welshcookie 17]

When my step son lived with us when he was 16/17/18 we would leave him alone for a few days, but he was a quiet kind of kid, didn't go out partying etc. But my parents would always call in on him every day and he knew they were there if he had any difficulties.

I did however send my daughter of the same age to her father because I wasn't too happy about 2 teenagers home alone together....I know I am old but I do remember being 16

[Sinergy 3]

It's a dangerous world out there.

i agree, and we may trust our kids, but i dont trust a darn person outside my home

[Mr and Mrs Bird 0]

It's a dangerous world out there.

Yes you are right. It first came to me when I moved here.

[Mr and Mrs Bird 0]

In the eyes of the California legal system and among child development experts, there are no clear rules. But parents can follow some guidelines based on their children's maturity level and experience handling situations, experts said.

Rest of the article: http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn41...08/ai_n15991593

Thank you for that link. I have just printed it.

[*JG* 2]

It's a dangerous world out there.

Yes you are right. It first came to me when I moved here.

Because there is no crime in Denmark?

[Mr and Mrs Bird 0]

It's a dangerous world out there.

Yes you are right. It first came to me when I moved here.

Because there is no crime in Denmark?

Oh yes there is.

But they allow teens to do more. Examble, they must drink alcohol when 16. And they can hang around by the malls. They are only going in school for 10 years and after start working fulltime. Many 16 years old kids move to their own appartments. So our adjustment here is sometimes hard to swallow

[Caladan 19]

I think the first time my sister stayed home alone while my parents were out of town was when she was 16 or 17. It was over the summer, so school wasn't in session, and it was just for the weekend (2 or 3 days). My parents had their friends look in on her (and cook her dinner) one night, and just checked in on her via phone the other days. A neighbor knew she was home alone and so was aware to look out for any trouble.

There weren't any problems. Depends on the kids (and if they get along well together.)