I am a loving mother of 2 children ages 9 and 10. My fiance' and I work for the same company. We sometimes have to work on the weekends. I never leave my 9 and 10 year old home alone except for when my fiance's 14 year old daughter is over. She is a very responsible girl. I am very confident that my children know right from wrong. I have someone who doesn't agree with me and has threatened to call Child Protective Services. I never leave them in danger. My sister lives next door and I always go shopping for Plenty of food and snacks when they are here. I am worried and concerned that I will be in trouble for this and I was curious if anyone has any ideas or suggestions on what I should do. Thanks, Very concerned mom

There are no real "laws" only review when and if something goes wrong.

14 year olds normally and often baby sit for a few hours. This is normal and customary.

Now the trouble is that Family and Children services if they find there was or is a problem may not agree with how mature the 14 year old is.

Is this a ex husband or someone who does not agree

I started babysitting when I was 12 years old. Infants, children, whatever. That was also the age that I was allowed to stay home alone for a few hours.

At 9 and 10 years of age I think that your kids are still too young. My son is 11 years old, there was a huge difference in his maturity from 10 to 11.

Could you get into trouble? Sure you can. If Social services investigates thoroughly and determines that your kids are too young then of course you can get into trouble.

I would got with babysitting age. If a child is too young to babysit then he/she is too young to stay home alone.

Thank you for your responses. Yes it is my ex- husband threatening to call. I called Child Protective Services myself and was told that he was picking on me, and that I was fine. I do not leave my 9 and 10 year old home alone unless their 14 year old soon to be step-sister is with them.

Thank you for your responses. Yes it is my ex- husband threatening to call. I called Child Protective Services myself and was told that he was picking on me, and that I was fine. I do not leave my 9 and 10 year old home alone unless their 14 year old soon to be step-sister is with them.


I don't mean this wrong but get it in writing if possible, and at the least, write down the name and position of the person you talked to.