
At what age can a child stay home alone by state?

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It usually starts with a schedule conflict. Maybe you have a late work call, or itâs your day for soccer pickup on the other side of town. Or maybe your child just says, âIâm old enough. Canât I stay home by myself?â And suddenly, youâre wondering: Are they ready? More importantly, are you?
Letting a child stay home alone can be a huge step in independence, but also a big one for family logistics, safety, and peace of mind. If you Google the laws, you can see itâs a patchwork. Some states spell it out. Others leave it up to you. And most? Somewhere in the blurry in-between.
Hereâs what to know about the legal side of things, how to tell if your child's ready, and how to set them up for success when you do decide to give it a try.
State laws for staying home alone
Safe Kids Worldwide states that âdevelopmentally, children are generally ready to be home alone around the age of 12 or 13.â This is a helpful guideline because only a handful of states set a legal minimum age for when kids can be left home alone. Here are the five states:
Georgia - 9
Illinois - 14
Maryland - 8
North Carolina - 8Â
Oregon - 10
If there isnât a specific law in your state, there may still be recommended guidelines. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services suggests contacting your local police department or child protective services agency to check. You can even ask your pediatrician for their advice.
Even if your state doesnât have a clear law, there could be situations where itâs deemed unsafe or inappropriate for your childâs age. So, there isnât always a clear answer, and thatâs frustrating. But itâs also why it helps to consider your childâs individual readiness.
Is your child ready to stay home alone?
Aside from the law, most parents know when their child just isnât ready and when they might be. Some 11-year-olds are completely capable of being home alone. Others might not be there yet at 13, and thatâs okay.
The big questions to consider are:
Can they stay calm under pressure?Â
Do they follow directions?Â
Do they know how to call you (or 911) if something goes wrong?Â
Have they ever actually wanted to try being home alone, even for a short stretch?
You can also do a quick mental scan of your home. Are there potential hazards theyâd need to avoid? Do you trust that theyâd leave the stove off, lock the doors, and not open them to anyone? Will you feel the need to check your phone every three minutes, or can you put your shoulders down and focus?Â
Preparing your child for staying home alone
The first time a child stays home alone doesnât have to be dramatic. In fact, it shouldnât be. Start small, like with a 30-minute errand. Or take a walk around the block. You can even start by just sitting outside while they stay inside, and build up from there.
Itâs important to go over the basics. Cover âdonât answer the door,â but also other "what-if" scenarios to help them feel prepared:
What if the Wi-Fi goes out?
What if someone knocks and wonât leave?
What if the smoke alarm goes off?
Let them roleplay the what-ifs so they feel in control. And before you leave, make a quick-reference list that includes:Â
Your phone number and a backup contact
Basic house rules (no cooking, no opening the door, etc.)
An approved list of snacks or activities
Pro tip: Agree on a check-in plan ahead of time (like a quick call halfway through, or a âweâre on the way!â message when youâre coming home). Having a plan in place can make everyone feel more secure.
For even more peace of mind, try Greenlightâs Max, Infinity, and Family Shield plans. Youâll have access to location tracking, SOS alerts*, and, for families with older kids, driving reports and crash detection*, too. It's a great way to ensure your kids stay safe, no matter where they are.
And if youâre wondering how old your child has to be before they can babysit, the general recommendation by the U.S. Department of Labor is 13. Still, like leaving your kids home alone, there are many factors to consider.
Bonus tip: If you use Greenlight and you have an older child babysitting a sibling during that time, you can even pay them quickly through the app when you get home.Â
Staying home alone can be a big confidence booster for kids and a helpful logistics solution for families. But itâs not a one-size-fits-all milestone. Whether your child is 10 or 15, itâs about readiness, not just age. Know the guidelines, prepare them for success, and have a backup plan for the unexpected.
Protect your $ and family. Keep everyone's safety and finances in check with Greenlight â the all-in-one educational money app. Try Greenlight, one month, risk-free.â
*Requires mobile data or a WiFi connection, and access to sensory and motion data from cell phone to utilize safety features including family location sharing and driving alerts and reports. Messaging and data rates and other terms may apply.
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