As a first-time parent, I`ve asked experienced moms and googled this question a few times. When is it really acceptable to leave your child home alone and for how long? Some states have laws that stipulate an age of 8 to 14, while Oklahoma has none. Ultimately, these are just guidelines and so many different factors will come into play in your decision. Maturity, siblings, behavior, environmental safety, the time you will spend on the call, the list goes on and on. We have great tools to get you started. First of all, just because they meet the age requirement doesn`t mean they`re mature enough to stay home alone. Here are 5 ways to tell if your child is ready. If you decide yes, we`re ready to go, here are 6 ways to train your child to stay home alone and conversation starters to talk about your expectations and concerns. And chances are you`ll have a child who will play the role of babysitter, so check out our babysitting checklist, which can be printed to make sure all the important details are covered. → high school: Teens can be left alone and caring for young children, unless the responsibility is too great (e.g., four young children), the duration is too long (e.g., all night, every night), or the teen is unreliable.
There are legal age restrictions for children who are left home alone. Some are guidelines and some states may have more definitive laws than others. In mid-August, 13-year-old Shykeema Polk was at home babysitting her 6-year-old sister when she heard a glass fall. She saw a man throw a brick through her back door, according to a Dallas Morning News report. Then she saw another man; Both broke into the house. → middle school: If they demonstrate the ability to be independent, children can be left alone for about four hours during the day or evening. They may also be responsible for caring for one or two younger children if they have constant access to a responsible adult. In general, children must live with their parents or guardians until they can function independently in society. Therefore, they should always be under the supervision of their parents or guardians, especially at home. However, when is the ideal time to leave a child alone at home? Heads of state across the country have been debating this issue for years, and many still do not have a solid basis on which to base this decision. For now, here are the laws that aim to leave children alone at home across the country. Q: How does OKDHS decide whether or not to remove a child from a home? A: OKDHS does not have the power to remove children from their homes.
Only judges and law enforcement agencies have this power. If a referral is initiated for child abuse/neglect, an OKDHS Child Protection Service employee will conduct a thorough child safety assessment. If the child is in danger and the security threat cannot be controlled by the family, OKDHS may request that the child be placed in emergency care by OKDHS. This request is made by submitting a written affidavit to the district attorney, who then presents it to a judge. If the judge agrees with the OKDHS recommendation, the child will be placed in emergency custody. Other states already prohibit children under the age of 12 from staying home alone. Twelve is the age limit that many Oklahoma lawmakers say seems the most reasonable. It`s also the standard age that the Oklahoma Department of Human Services recommends for parents, based on mental health and maturity issues. When would you be comfortable leaving your children alone? Although the urge for change is ongoing, there is some resistance. Reputation. Oklahoma City`s Mike Reynolds says the state shouldn`t tell parents what to do. So far, Reynolds seems to be in the minority in this case.
The child`s degree of maturity is also taken into account when he is alone at home. The following aspects can be used to analyze a child`s maturity: *Age is recommended, but not required by law. ** Although New Mexico does not have a state law that imposes the minimum age for a child to stay home alone, an ordinance from the city of Albuquerque states that children under the age of 11 cannot be left home alone. Q: I am interested in becoming a foster parent. Where can I get information and what do I need to do to register? A: First of all, thank you for your interest! Our state has many children who need caring foster parents. If you are an Oklahoma resident and would like to learn more about how to become a Bridge Resource family through OKDHS, fill out an online interest form by visiting our www.okdhs.org website. Click on “Programs and Services” at the top of the page, click on “Host Families,” and then click on “Oklahoma Host Family Interest Form.” You can also contact your local social service centre and someone will contact you as soon as possible. Answers to frequently asked questions can also be found on the care page under “Frequently Asked Questions for Foster Parents”. If you live outside of Oklahoma, please contact OKDH Adoption Services at (918) 794-7544. This is the worst-case scenario that could happen,” said Sen. Kyle Loveless of Oklahoma City. In some states, laws regulate this issue.
But not in Oklahoma or Texas. Neither Oklahoma`s law nor the state Department of Human Services guidelines specify the age at which a child can stay home alone or babysit. However, DHS has some guidelines. Once you are certified as a relay parent, the time it takes to adopt a child depends on the child you want to adopt and their situation. If you have a relationship with a child who is staying with you and the child cannot be reunited with his or her parents, the adoption may take less than six months. Many parents face the dilemma of knowing at what age children can stay home alone, especially after school or in the summer. Before you consider leaving your child unattended, make sure they are reasonably mature, able to take care of themselves, and fully prepared for emergencies. Set ground rules, review basic safety policies, and establish routines that will keep your child healthy and safe.
Our iMom, printable with 10 rules of solitude at home, is a good place to start. Currently, it`s not illegal in Oklahoma to leave children of all ages home alone, but lawmakers want to change that. Some lawmakers admit they didn`t know it`s not illegal to leave young children alone at home. Q: My wife and I are interested in adopting a child. How long does it take? Is there a lot of bureaucracy? A: The process is extensive, but there`s a good reason for that. If you`ve been sent to someone for the rest of your life, you want to be sure it`s a good, safe home. OKDHS is responsible for protecting children waiting from abuse, and for this reason, there are many laws that require documentation, background checks, and a lot of questions. Among other things, you need to complete 27 hours of pre-employment training, do a home study, and check your fingerprint history. Many parents do not hesitate to leave children of a certain age alone at home for short periods of time or to look after them for a few hours. But an incident last month in Plano, Texas, sparked important discussions about the age of children before they are allowed to stay home alone or babysit. While it`s not illegal in Oklahoma to leave children home alone, it`s illegal to leave them alone in a vehicle. The national SAFEKIDS campaign recommends leaving no child under the age of 12 alone at home.
If a child 6 or younger is left home alone, parents could be charged with negligence depending on the circumstances, DHS spokeswoman Mary Leaver said. And in many circumstances, children over the age of 6 should not be left alone. But each case is investigated individually. →Preschool: Children under 6 years of age should never be left alone without adult supervision. After college, you know you can leave your kids for hours. The next question is when you can leave them overnight. There is no right answer to this because everything is based on the maturity level of your children. I have high school age volleyball players who were left alone for a night or two when I was 16. It`s between you and your family and so many factors go into that decision. →Will my child be alone during the day or at night? Q: What is foster care? A: Nursing home care is temporary housing that provides alternative care to children in the care of OKDHS 24 hours a day.