WHat is the age a child can stay home alone in TX? (Howe: house, school)

[pobre]

I have asked numerous people, and no one knows for sure. Some claim it is 12. However, I was reading a magazine article about a year ago, and I remember reading that Texas actually has no such stipulation.

Can anyone point me in the right direction?

[kevcrawford]

Call a police substation. Or maybe 311 will have the info.

[sapphire]

Here you go:
FAQ-How old must a child be to be left alone

[elmariachi]

My parents left me home alone when I was eight years old. Those were simpler times though. They also left me home alone while they went out of town for a couple days, though i was about 12 by then. Not that I had bad parents, I just didn't like going places. I guess it also helped that I was pretty level headed for my age.

[fierce_flawless]

As the link sapphire provided indicates, there really is no set age.

So, watch yourself. Depending on the circumstances, someone might just decide your child is "too young" and call CPS and CPS might agree.

I do think that if you are military and live on base then there is a separate rule with a defined age... but I'm not sure. I remember my friend (who lived on base) saying something about this once upon a time. Just thought I'd throw that out there any readers who live here in SA and live on post/base.

[majormadmax]

I believe FF is correct about the rules on base. I remember hearing about it when we were living on Ramstein, but our son was way too young to even consider it so I forgot what the age was. But I do remember that even babysitters on base had age and training requirements...

If you are on base, the Housing Office should be able to tell you the rules. If not, then try Family Services. As for off base, it is left to your descretion; but if anything happens then you are responsible.

Cheers! M2

[NurseDana]

Just please make certain that 'others' are not aware of your child being alone. I trust that your child, whatever the age, is responsible and somewhat mature for his/her age or you wouldn't even have posed the question. Most of the time it isn't our kids we have to worry about but those lurking about! Wishing you the best!

[mamatotex97]

Get a neighbor as well to help...someone your kid can check in with in a pinch. Always good to have neighbors looking out for one another.

[svg210]

depends on how responsible your child is. Do you trust him that he/she will have the house intact when you return?

[sapphire]

Most parents are worried that their kids will be intact--you can't replace a kid, but you can replace a vase.

My son is 12 and for the last 2 years he used to walk home after school (1/2 mile), come in the house, and he was alone for ~30-45 minutes. Now that he is 12, I've found that he needs much more supervision. Between the computer, video games, TV, and just generally being easily distracted, we've decided that "alone time" is not so good. He's hardly ever alone anymore. He hates it.