My neighbor girls informed me tonight that they are home alone until tomorrow (mind you they have been home all day alone too). They are 13 and 11 years old. Their mother has decided to stay the night at a friend's house, and they have no dad who is in the picture. I cooked dinner for them tonight, but then sent them home at 9:30pm because I am 7 months pregnant, have 2 kids of my own, and am not feeling well. What am I supposed to do? I told them to call if they needed anything, but shouldn't their mom be home to tend to them in case they actually do need something? They treat me like their mom, which I don't mind too often, but when I am feeding them and taking them in overnight often, it starts to wear on me. Do YOU think they are old enough to be home alone overnight? Am I doing the right thing by sending them home, or should I let them sleep here again? Should I contact CPS?
I wouldn't contact cps, BUT I wouldn't leave 2 kids that age. My girls are 15 and 18, and I would be hard pressed to leave them alone. We will be leaving the 18 year old this fall when the 3 of us take a 4 day vacation.
13 and 11 during the day and evening is one thing, but all night, NO WAY. That is nice that they know you are there if they need you. They will probably be fine, I just wouldn't do it.
OMG!!!! I would call the cops and report it and let them contact CPS!!! There is NO way in HELL, that I would allow a 13 and 11 y.o . stay home alone, and especially not overnight!!! Their Mom must be a complete and total idiot to do that!!! What these parents fail to realize, is that no matter how responsible children are they are still just CHILDREN!! And if accidents happen to children while their parents are present, what makes them think that it couldn't happen while they weren't present!!! And just because you may be able to trust your child does NOT mean that you can trust a pedophile or a kidnapper or burglar or any number of other criminals!!! THIS IS JUST BEYOND NEGLECTFULL!!!!
IMO, they are FAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAR to young to be left alone overnight. It's not safe. I might call CPS, if I were you.
I wouldn't leave kids that age alone overnight, but I don't know if it warrants a call to CPS. It is good of you to be there for them and I do believe that it is irresponsible of their mother to just spend the night over at a friend's house and not have someone to at least check on her kids and make sure they're alright,
Most states have suggested ages to be left alone but not laws. Look up your state. I remember years ago where we used to live our 16 year old babysitter stayed 7 days watching 4 kids while the parents went on a cruise. Her parents were a few houses down and she brought the kids to her house some, but at night it was the 16 year old watching 4 kids and they were not related.
Too many kids are ending up on the news these days, if you can not sit down with the mother and talk to her I think you need to call CPS right now!!!! She did not even leave them anything to eat, that is neglect. Think about it, if they are at your house asking for your assistance then there is no way in hell they should have been left alone for such a long time.
Ron
Call the police. They can do a well check and make sure they are alright, and they will probably call the mother, but IDK what time they would consider too late for them to be home alone. You can ask an officer, then they can go when they feel the law has been broken. Then they can report it to cps for you.
Yes mom should be there. I have 11 year old daughter and 12 1/2 year old daughter. They are to young to stay by themselves. At that age they could only stay by themselve for only two hours. Since she is 13 6 hours is the max. I called family children service to find out the rules to be own the safe side own my part. My girls our mature for there age. I would neve let them stay home that long. I would do the same thing you are doing?
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- Jilybean27
on Jun. 27, 2009 at 10:44 PM