Ask yourself: can they unlock the front door without panicking? If they’re still using the “ring doorbell until mom answers” method, maybe wait a year. Responsibility is key, not just surviving a Fortnite session alone.
Next, test-run it. Leave them for 15 minutes while you buy milk. Come back and look for clues: burnt toast? A small fort built from couch cushions? If the house is standing and they’re not crying, you’re winning.
Chart helps parents figure out when to leave kids home alone | fox61.com
Pro tip: don’t spy with a hidden camera unless you want to see them pick their nose for 10 minutes. Trust me, ignorance is bliss.
The “What If” Scenarios
What if the power goes out? Can they find flashlights without screaming? What if a stranger knocks? Do they know to act like a ghost and stay silent? Practice these drills, but make it fun. Pretend you’re training for a zombie apocalypse.
And siblings? A 10-year-old can babysit a 5-year-old, but only if they’ve watched Home Alone as a documentary. Otherwise, you’re banking on the older one not using the younger one as a wrestling dummy.
If they’re anxious? Listen to that gut feeling. Your kid’s anxiety is a real red flag, not just a reason to binge Stranger Things together instead of leaving.
