As the school year winds down and the children start to anticipate summer break, parents are thinking about childcare. If your child is not among the 447,723 children in some sort of paid care situation, you may be considering leaving them at home alone.
In Ohio there is no law governing this choice, however, The Ohio Department of Children and Youths says the age at which you leave them on their own is solely determined by the parents.
Whether the child is mature enough to be left home alone is also solely a parental decision and there is no legal minimum age for the child.
What factors contribute to a child’s maturity?
According to The Center for Parenting Education, a child’s maturity is not solely based on their age. There are a number of other things that can determine whether they can be home safely without supervision.
- Cognitive development — the ability to understand and process information is an invaluable determining factor.
- Emotional development — recognizing, managing and expressing feelings appropriately is a key aspect of maturity.
- Social experiences — interactions with peers, family, or other adults can be key in a child’s development.
- Previous responsibilities given — if they have an awareness and a practical understanding of how to care for themselves without prompting could make a big difference.
Beware of the penalties for bad outcomes
Even though the law is not specific about permissions for children at home alone, there are consequences if parents leave their children at home and something goes wrong…