Summer vacation is approaching. Is your child ready to stay home alone? What to consider
It won't be long before children are out of school for the summer.
Most parents aren't on that kind of schedule and might find themselves wondering at what age it's legal to leave children home unattended over summer vacation.
"Every parent eventually faces the decision to leave their child home alone for the first time," the Michigan's Child Welfare Information Gateway said in a fact sheet. "Whether they are just running to the store for a few minutes or working during after-school hours, parents need to be sure their children have the skills and maturity to handle the situation safely. Being trusted to stay home alone can be a positive experience for a child who is mature and well prepared."
In Michigan, there is no minimum age at which children may be left home alone without supervision. Michigan law does regulate how young a child can be to remain in a vehicle alone.
Parents, however, should consider many factors before leaving their children alone.
"When deciding whether to leave a child home alone, you will want to consider your child's physical, mental, and emotional well-being," the Child Welfare Information Gateway said.
Here's what you should know when making a decision.
According to the National Child Care Information Center, only Illinoisand Maryland currently have laws regarding a minimum age for leaving a child home alone. Even in those states, other factors, such as concern for a child's well-being and the amount of time the child is left alone, are considered.
According to the Child Protection Law, there is no legal age that a child can be left home alone, the Michigan Mandated Reporters' Resource Guide says."...But as a general rule, a child 10 years old and younger is not responsible enough to be left home alone. A child over the age of 10 and under the age of 12 will be evaluated, but the case may not always be assigned for a CPS investigation," the guide says.
It's important to consider their maturity and if they've demonstrated responsible behavior in the past:
Is your child physically and mentally able to care for him- or herself?
Does your child obey rules and make good decisions?
Does your child feel comfortable or fearful about being home alone?
You may also want to consider certain circumstance like:
How long will your child be left home alone at one time?
Will it be during the day, evening, or night?
Will the child need to fix a meal?
How often will the child be expected to care for him- or herself?
How many children are being left home alone? Children who themselves are ready to stay home alone may not necessarily be ready to care for younger siblings.
Is your home safe and free of hazards?
How safe is your neighborhood?
There are other points to consider:
Have a trial period. Leave the child home alone for a short time while staying close to home.
Role play. Act out possible situations to help your child learn what to do.
Establish rules. Make sure your child knows what is (and is not) allowed when you are not home. Some experts suggest making a list of chores or other tasks to keep children busy while you are gone.
Check in. Call your child while you are away to see how it's going, or have a trusted neighbor or friend check in.
Talk about it. Encourage your child to share his or her feelings with you about staying home alone.
Don't overdo it. Even a mature, responsible child shouldn't be home alone too much. Consider other options, such as programs offered by schools, community centers, youth organizations, or churches, to help keep your child busy and involved
It's also important to establish a safety plan so your child knows what to do and who to contact in an emergency situation. Other factors include:
Can your child follow this plan?
Does your child know his or her full name, address, and phone number?
Does your child know where you are and how to contact you at all times?
Does your child know the full names and contact information of other trusted adults, in case of emergency?
Jalen Williams is a trending reporter at the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at jawilliams1@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Can I leave my child by themselves in Michigan? What to consider
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