Do you think it's ok to leave a 13 year old home alone sleeping?

I think I was around 12 or 13 when my mom would let us sleep in and not go wtih her on her run to the grocery store...but if she went out to breakfast...or did something else we would want...she woke us up and gave us the choice to go-or yes she would bring us something back. I guess how much you worry about your 13 year old would depend onm how mature they are. ( are they goign to do soemthing stupid if they wake up in a house alone?) and how light or deep of a sleeper are they? Maybe review the emergency plans you have, so that you kinow they know, and make sure you are all comfy with them. Remember, while I may have been ready, your child may not. But you shoudl know them, and you will know when they are ready, and rememebr too, all parents worry when they let theor kids do something for the first time.

that would go over like a lead balloon in my house. IF I left one kid sleeping and took the other out for food. Oh no I would be in deep trouble. We can't even plan a even out without getting flack. :) Well we only have one son, but we would not get away with it. :)

When my sister was 7 & I was 8, my mom worked 2 jobs (single parent) we stayed by ourselfs for a few hours each day. Then when we was 8 & 9 we was always at home by ourselfs. Of course, my grandma lived right down the road & if anything happened she would've been there. I think that once a child is about 10 years old, by then they know not to turn the stove on & what to do is something happens, they are old enough to stay at home by themselfs. You said that they 13 year old wouldn't want to go with you. If he dont get up to late, then you could wait until he gets up to go out. You could tell him "We are goin out to breakfast at 9:00 in the morning. I know that you dont like to get up early, so if you would rather, then you can stay here. However, I am not comfortable with you being home alone asleep because you are such a heavy sleeper. So you have 2 options: You can get up and go with us or you can stay here but you have to be awake." This way, (if he's never been left home alone before) he is getting some responsablility which is going to make him fell good but at the same time you wont have to worry about if he is okay or not. Of course, Im assuming that you dont mind if he goes with you. He will probably groan some about haveing to get up so early but at least you will be able to enjoy your food with out worrying.

I honestly think it depends on the maturity of the child and not necessarily the age. My daughter was very mature at age 10 and I would leave her home alone for a quick trip to the store. As far as leaving one sleeping, and your fear of a fire, I would make sure there was a smoke alarm right outside his room, or even inside of it, and he knew how to escape if there ever was a fire. Honestly though, if it makes you uncomfortable and you're worried the whole time you're out, I'd stay home and have the hubby bring you home a carry out. That way, he also can spend time alone with the other child. I would never make a judgement that you are overly worried, I'm sure your reasons are valid to you. :)

16 year old should move out of the house and lead a independent house... i think it is perfectly normal to leave a 13 year old alone for an hour or so

I really think it depends on the child and how responsible he is. I was not only left alone at 13, but baby sitting other kids as well. I have a 13 yr old right now, and we sometimes leave him home alone, it does make me worry some, I think that is just part of being a Mom no matter how old they are. If you do leave him home alone, just make sure he knows what to do in an emergency, how to get out of the house, who to call for help, that sort of thing.

I was allowed to stay at home alone for a few hours on and off after I was 12. Sometimes my school scehdule put me off school a few hours before wither of my parents got off work and nothing ever happened to me. I was taught to escape if there was a fire. I was taught not to mess in my parents room for my safety and to not run the oven when they were not home (and not answer the door). I think as long as the child has the understading about safety I don't see the problem. At 13 they should very well know about fire and safety. 13 isn't that young when it comes to knowing right from wrong and safe versus unsafe things to do in the house.

Some 13 year olds are really mature and probably could be left alone for about an hour. It all depends on the development of the child. Some are more reliable then others. So I guess it's more of a judgement call. What do you think? Can your 13 year old handle an hour or two alone? I would most definitely wake your daughter up though to let her know that you guys are stepping out and if she doesn't want to go, then just let her know you guys are leaving and to keep the phone by her or something, in case mom needs to call or just in case. Sooner or later it might be best for you to try it out. Maybe for a short time? Maybe not even an hour. Just make sure the fire alarms are working right, be safe. :)

13 years old is old enough to own his resposibility. i remenber my mom left me with 6 years brother at home wheni was 12 years old . mom was go shopping.

It depends on how mature your 13 year old is. My 13 year old son is responsible enough to be left alone while we go out, although since he would want to go with us, we would wake him up to ask first. If I were to go without him, I would probably be leaving both him and his 14 year old brother there together but again, they would know we were leaving. We have smoke alarms, as should any home. I remember babysitting at 13, and they have also babysat (although together) so I think that they can handle being left alone for a little while while we go out.

If your child is 13 years old and not afraid to be alone then they should be responsible to be left alone in the house. If you are worried about a fire then make sure you check everything before you leave. It sounds like you worry too much and would not have a good time at breakfast though if you are worried your daughter is going to be harmed or hurt while you are gone. But no I dont agree with your thinking.

I feel as you do i would rather he /she be awake and aware before i left so at least if some emergency happened she /he could call my cell phone .

I am a mother of 3 year old twins and I really am not sure how I feel about this. I do know that when I was 12 I was left home alone and was babysitting at that time. But when I look at 12 year olds now, I feel like they are simply babies. I would worry about the same thing as you...fires, break ins, who knows?

I understand that you are very worried about these things happening while you are gone. I would say that as long as you have working smoke detectors on every level of your home and you make sure to lock up tight all should be well. If you still are uneasy just wake up the 13 year old to go with you.

In your situation I wouldn't because that isn't all that fair to take one and leave the other. And I'm not sure when I'll leave my kids alone if they are asleep but my mom used to drive my dad to work at like 4am when I was a kid. They would leave me and my brother at home asleep. I was probably 13/14 and my brother is 2 years younger then me. Half the time I wouldn't even realize they were gone. In our situation there was really no other choice. Either she drove him so she could have the car so she could take us to school or we didn't go to school or they had to wake us up at 3:30am to go with on a school day. I preferred staying in my nice warm bed.

I leave my 13 and 11 yr old alone two times a week (on grocery night and coffee mornign on the weekend) BUT I never ever leave them sleeping...at least one of them ahs to be awake in case they wake up while we are gone...but they're both responsible kids, they know the rules and what to do should something happen while we are gone plus we have the dogs as well so I dont worry about it....If you are uncomfortable though, DONT DO IT..its that simple IMO...as far as what age is appropriate...well that depends on the kids really..I have an almost 16 yr old neice that I wouldnt trust alone because she's mischievious...on the other hand I have neices and a nephew ranging from almost 17 to 12 who are so responsible they can be left alone with their little sister who is 5 and have been doing it for the past couple yrs now....So ya I really think it depends on the kid(s).....

It alright as long as your child is ok with it.13 is more than old so dont worry everything is gonna be fine.There's soemone above who's watching us;he would not let anything harmful to happen to your child.

I CANT recall the exact age I was when my mom left me alone sometimes. But she did wake me for breakfast! I hated mornings (still do) I am sure I was as young as 11 or 12! I know I didnt have a bed time when I was in junior high. Probably around that age! I dont have kids mind you, but when I do. I wouldnt see it bad to let a 13 yr old stay home asleep. You are only gonna be gone a little bit not a few days. But if they arent that mature, would freak out, etc then maybe you should wait. Its up to you and them in the end. But I think personally it would be fine at that age :)

Yes, I remember I would stay home when I was 11 or 12 by myself. I was responsible enough to take care of myself by them for a few hours!

yap... I agree with you!! Maybe in the right age!!