With a slightly longer summer for most Milwaukee Public Schools this year, many kids are bouncing between babysitters, summer camps and friends’ houses. But if you’re without childcare — either for a few hours or through the summer — you might be asking yourself whether your child can stay home alone.
Here are a few things to keep in mind as you make the decision.
At what age can a child be left home alone in Wisconsin?
Like the majority of U.S. states, Wisconsin does not actually have a legal age requirement for children to be left home alone. The state leaves this decision up to parents.
Wisconsin does have more specific laws around abandonment and neglect of children, stating any person who leaves a child somewhere where they may suffer, with intent to abandon them, is guilty of a felony. A person is also guilty of neglect if they do not provide basic care — such as food, clothing and shelter — to a child for reasons other than poverty.
Additionally, child labor laws in Wisconsin say kids must be at 12 or over to take on babysitting jobs in non-business homes, and 14 or over to babysit in businesses.
What do other states say about leaving children home alone?
Of the states that have laws regarding when children can be left home alone, the age requirement varies widely.
On the lower end of the spectrum, Kansas allows children 6 to 9 years old to be left home alone for short periods of time, and children 10 and over to be left alone for “somewhat longer periods.” Among other factors, the Kansas guidance adds that parents should weigh their kids’ level of maturity and behavior in the absence of adults before leaving children alone.
On the other end, Illinois law says any person who leaves a child under 14 years old “without supervision for an unreasonable period of time” is guilty of neglect.
Several states, such as
and Washington, do not have an official age requirement, but recommend children are at least 10 years old before staying home alone.
How to know when your child is ready to be home alone
Most states agree that whether or not a child is ready to stay home alone depends on the individual child and parent.
Most children are “generally ready” to stay home around 12 or 13 years old, according to Safe Kids Worldwide, a non-profit working to prevent childhood injury. But the organization advises parents to use their discretion to gauge their child’s maturity level.
The Madison Fire Department provides some more specific guidance on how to figure out if your child is ready for the responsibility. In addition to the checklist below, the city advises considering whether your home and neighborhood is safe, how long your child will be home alone, if there is an adult nearby in case of emergency and if your child has any special needs.
Checklist to determine if your child is ready to stay home alone, according to the Madison Fire Department
Physical Readiness
- Can your child lock and unlock the doors and windows of your home?
- Can your child perform everyday tasks such as fixing a sandwich, dialing the telephone, and writing messages?
Mental Readiness
- Can your child tell time?
- Does your child understand what “stranger” and “emergency” mean?
- Does your child recognize danger and know how to stay safe?
- Does your child solve small problems on his or her own, but also know when to get help?
- Does your child consider how his or her actions affect others?
Social Readiness
- Does your child solve conflicts with brothers and sisters with little help from adults?
- Does your child talk easily to you about what happens at school, and about his or her feelings?
- Does your child feel confident enough to contact another adult if a problem arises?
Emotional Readiness
- Does your child feel confident and secure when alone?
- Does your child seem willing to stay alone?
- Does your child know how to handle fear, loneliness, and boredom?
- Does your child know how to handle responsibility, such as getting ready for school on time and looking out for younger brothers and sisters?
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