*This is a collaborative post
While leaving your child alone should be down to their age and maturity, it’s also something that your child should learn to get used to as they are developing their independence. It’s something that can be slowly tested with each child, but it also should be done at the right time in their growth and development.
To find out for yourself when it is best to leave your child at home alone, here are some key pointers to consider.
Your child’s age
There are some legal guidelines to adhere to ensure the safety of your child at all times, but it does mean that your child will learn to handle themselves over time. If your child is in primary school or pre-prep, then it’s not recommended to leave your child for long, if at all. This is why many schools offer after school clubs and wraparound care to support parents should they be working during the day.
Your child’s level of maturity
Some children just are more mature than others. It will ultimately depend on their upbringing and what factors have made a difference to their development and understanding of responsibilities.
If your child has done well with other responsibilities, like babysitting a younger sibling or relative, then you could test how they do with being on their own for an hour or two. You can then increase this slowly should you find that your child can manage on their own.
Your ability to keep in contact with your child
These days it’s much easier to keep in touch with friends and family. You can now message your child or ring them quickly to check in on how they’re doing. If they’re good at responding, and can respond to you fast, that can give you a lot of reassurance that they’re handling things well at home.
