At What Age Can A Child Be Left Alone At Home?

Each of us knows that children are growing and changing day by day to become less dependent on their parents. The question is, at what point can a child be left alone at home?

Finnish law does not specify when a child can be left alone at home. The Child Protection Act stipulates that the authorities must intervene if failure to care for a child endangers the child’s development.

The independence of the child and leaving him or her alone at home can cause a lot of worry and fear in the parents. The fact is, however, that children grow up and cannot always stay by their parents. Risks always exist, but they can be minimized by certain means.

The right perspective

As a child grows, he or she begins to crave more and more independence, but he or she must also be prepared to take responsibility for it.

It is not easy to leave a child home alone for the first time, and this requires courage from parents. Parents should strive not to paint threatening images of anything that might go wrong.

Leaving a child alone should be seen as part of teaching and educating him or her. This is one step in learning to be responsible and taking on even bigger responsibilities.

The H-moment, of course, does not happen unexpectedly and suddenly, but preparation is an important part of the child’s adjustment to the situation. The fact that a child longs for more freedoms does not mean that he or she is free from risks, nor that parents are obliged to leave him or her alone at home.

Identifying the right time

If a decision has already been made, it is time to start thinking about what is the most appropriate time for the child to be left alone at home. There does not have to be a real reason to leave the child at home, but the parents can leave him alone for a short time otherwise but for him to learn to be alone.

It is often said that the best time for a child to start learning to be home alone is between the ages of eight and twelve, and that it is important for a child to get used to the absence of parents. A primary school child is too small to spend entire days alone at home, but a school-age child can – and often wants to – practice loneliness.

How, then, can parents be sure that a child is ready to be left alone?

Preparing before the child is left alone at home

Every child is different, and no one can better determine the right moment to leave a child alone than his or her parent. Parents should not feel pressured by what other parents are doing. It is also important that parents are not confused and alarmed in every conceivable situation and coincidence.

By considering the following, parents will be able to determine if the child is of the right age and responsible enough to be left alone and cope with parental absence.

• Does the child memorize the home address and important phone numbers?
• Does the child have responsibilities at home and does he / she perform the agreed tasks?
• Does the child know what to do if the door is knocked or the phone rings?
• Is the child careful with strangers?
• Does the child know where to go near home if something happens?
• Does the child know where the first aid kit is and can he use it?

The answers to these questions will help you decide if your child is mature enough to stay home alone for a short time.

How to act in an emergency?

While no parent wants their child to be in an emergency, the possibility of such should not be ignored. When the situation is prepared in advance, the child has a better chance of resolving it successfully.

Of course, it is not possible to prepare for all possible situations, but parents can simulate different situations during everyday conversations. The child’s reaction should be monitored and he or she may be asked how he or she would act in that situation. However, it is important for parents to remember that it is not intended to confuse or intimidate the child.

The right reasons

Reasons for leaving a child alone must always be valid. It is good to remember that age is not the only factor in determining whether a child can be left alone at home. The nature and temperament of the child must also be taken into account, and if the child, for example, is afraid of being alone, he or she is too small to spend time alone at home.

We recommend that you discuss the topic openly and honestly with your child and explain how to act in unpredictable situations. In addition to this, it is important to talk about caution and prevention of problems. The purpose is not to increase the child’s concern, but awareness and understanding. This helps the child to mature and gradually take responsibility for life, leading to independence in a responsible way.

The answer to whether a child can be left home alone is therefore not quite simple, but depends entirely on the case and the circumstances. Whatever the situation, parents are always responsible for making the right decision.