Age isn't everything when deciding if a child is ready to be home alone

"Experts say between 11 and 13 years old can be a good starting point, but stress there's more to the equation than age. And they say what's right for one child may not be for another, even within a family. It's not a one-size-fits-all ordeal. And you really have to take it and understand the bigger picture, said Jaesha Quarrels, director of child care services at Oklahoma Human Services."

"The American Academy of Pediatrics says most children are not ready to handle emergencies until about age 11 or 12, so the organization generally recommends structured supervision until then. But it's not that simple. Parents often want a specific answer on how old their kids have to be, but age is only one of the factors to consider, said Brian Tessmer, director of treatment and operations at Family Resources, a nonprofit agency in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania."

Some states set minimum ages for leaving children unattended, with Maryland criminalizing leaving a child younger than 8 alone. Most states leave the decision to parents and guardians. The American Academy of Pediatrics states most children are not ready to handle emergencies until about ages 11 or 12 and generally recommends structured supervision until then. Experts suggest ages 11 to 13 can be a reasonable starting point but emphasize maturity, skills, and individual family circumstances are critical. Inadequate supervision contributes to many preventable childhood injuries and neglect. High cost and limited availability of after-school care motivate parents to encourage independence.

Read at www.ocregister.com