Reply To: Leaving children alone in the house

This is the response I got to an e-mail I sent to a child service in NJ, asking them if it is okay to leave a child alone.

Although there is no specific law in New Jersey which specifies an age when a child can be left alone at home, left alone overnight, or left to care for other younger children, the New Jersey Division of Youth and Family Services (DYFS) has extensive policy on the subject.

What are the age, abilities, judgment, general health and developmental level of the child (or oldest child) present in the home? Is it reasonable to expect that a child fitting that description is capable of caring for him/herself and younger children for a limited period of time while a parent is out?

How many children are in the home, without adult supervision? (If there are several young children in the home, the risk is heightened.)

When is the parent expected to return?

How often is the child (ren) left alone at home?

Does the child know how and where to contact the parent, if necessary?

Does the child know to call a neighbor, adult friend, a relative or the local police if necessary, in the absence of the parent?

Is there a home telephone in working order?

Parents/caregivers may want to ask themselves certain questions, to assist them in determining whether the child (ren) is safe while home alone. Example questions may be:

v Is the child mature? Does he or she demonstrate good judgment?

v Can the child respond on his or her own in an emergency?

v Will the child obey my rules during any period of time left alone?

v What time frames am I comfortable with leaving the child alone?

v Is the child fearful of being home alone?

And yes, IY”H I will send my baby to seminary (if she gets in and we can afford the $$$)