My 3 girls- ages 12, 14, 17- are home alone 5 nights a week while my ex works 6pm-3am. They live in Jacksonville, FL and I live in the northwest. They do not live in a good part of town, but they are responsible. Is this legal?

It is implied that the 17 year old is looking after the younger two children. There are no laws in Florida that provide an age for babysitting. As you say the children are responsible, there is no legal reason why he can't leave them in the 17 year old's care and control while he works. In fact, in Florida there is no State mandated age restrictions on home-alone children.

Hope this helps.

Hugs, Didi

Here is an informative page I found about Self Care in Florida. Florida's Child Care Resource & Referral Network (http://www.fcforum.org/Howtofindchildcaresite/html/links/HomeAlone.pdf)

It certainly isn't illegal. c'mon these are not babies. And a 17 yr old is fully capable of caring for the younger siblings.

People hire 14 and 17 year old to baby sit their small kids over night, a 12 year old often baby sits evening for a few hours at a time.

These age can easily be left alone over night, even left alone for a day or two at at time.

Yes, it's legal. What is your concern? If you are unhappy with the arrangement go back to Court, request that custody/visitation be changed and PROVE that the father is neglectful or irresponsible.

This alone won't do it.

Thanks everyone! The only reason I asked is that my mom, their grandma, was worried then of course I started to, then realized again that they would be fine. I just miss them that's all. :-(