Is it legal for a 13 year old to care for an 8 year old while the parents work overnight?

Is it legal to leave a 13 year old with an 8 year old while the parents work overnight?

Where? I could see this being argued in either direction, particularly if there would be a problem or emergency when the parents are gone.

A lot would depend on how responsible the 13 year old is and that would include behavior problems, school grades and so forth.

If the 13 year and 8 year old are alone would there be a close-by neighbor they could call in case of an emergency, perhaps someone who could check in on them?

I don't know what happened to my answer. Depends on where AND the 13 year old's level of responsibility. Good grades, no discipline problems? Will the 8 year old listen to the 13 year old?

ANY question on law needs to include your general locale as laws vary by area.

Since 13 year olds can babysit in most areas, I don't see a problem with this. What is prompting this?

Note, threads merged, please don't ask the same question multiple times.

I feel a 13 yr old is too young to care for her 8yr old sibling overnight when her parent is at work

There is no one who can check in on the kids the parent leaves at ten thirty and returns at 745am

So that is your opinion, who are you in this, are you one of the parents ? Are you a neighbor or you a nosey busy body living next door.

But the truth is, there is normally no law about it, it only becomes an issue if CPS gets involved if something happens, and after that if it is a issue in a child custody issue

First please don't type in all caps.

I can assure you that at least SOME 13 yr olds are old enough to care for an 8 yr old sibling. The parents may really have no choice in the matter.

But what is your role here? What is your relationship and why are you objecting.

Please don't start a new thread, I have deleted it.


Without knowing more details we can not give exact, but normally there is no law about it, so it can not be illegal if there is no law about it.

There are guidelines and if something goes wrong, then child protective service will look to see if the 13 year old is mature enough.

The issues, does the younger child listen to the older one. How many times has the older child been incharge and supervised the younger one in the evenings, during the day or for how many hours.

But yes many 13 year olds are very mature and can watch a younger child over night

Umm when I was 13 I was left with my 5 year old brother overnight and we were fine so if the 13 year old had a contact they could stay intouch with and they would/could be trusted then I don't see the issue

Please use the Answer options to add follow-up questions or info. Don't start a new thread.

In the post Chuck removed you referred to "my" 13 yr old but the referred to the "parent" working at night. So are you the parent? Are you working the night shift? What about the other parent? Do you not believe the 13 yr old is mature enough?