Ask Me Help Desk

Ask Me Help Desk (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/forum.php)
-   Children (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/forumdisplay.php?f=70)
-   -   Legal age of leaving multiple kids alone over night (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/showthread.php?t=33404)

  • Sep 4, 2006, 07:43 PM
    windy-1
    Legal age of leaving multiple kids alone over night
    I am trying to find out what age is legal for a child to be alone with 2 younger siblings in ontario,I understand for a lone child its guaged on maturity but what about other kids with the child,can they be left alone eveynight over night 5 nights a week? thank you for your help
  • Sep 4, 2006, 11:52 PM
    Krs
    Well I'm not from ontario but I do know that if I left my kids alone every night for 5 nights, I think they need to be mature enough to fed for themselves, clean and cook.
    I would say probably 16 or more so even 18.
  • Sep 5, 2006, 07:50 PM
    CaptainForest
    Windy-1,

    I am not 100% sure, but, what are the ages of the children?

    I think the age for babysitting is 12. To stay home alone by yourself is 10.

    However, there is also the concept of maturity. Is the older child mature enough to take of themselves and others on their own?

    I know when I was 14, I was in charge sometimes overnight of my younger sibling. I never had a problem, but then, I was mature at 14.
  • Sep 5, 2006, 08:56 PM
    windy-1
    The ages for the kids are the eldest is 11 will be 12 in dec,the other 2 are 7 &9 and maturity of the eldest isn't that great.The kids are alone from 11 pm to 7:45 am and the father seems to think having a cell phone will save the day if there's a fire,break in,storms anything.I watched them for 4 yrs and I can't tell you how many times the middle one fell out the top bunk,woke up with bloody nose(he gets often),they all wake up during any kind of storm I can't count the reasons they have gotten up and the dad had a girlfriend move in temporarily when she moved out last month he decided they were old enough to be left alone and at 7,9 and 11 I don't think so .So I asked last night where the boys are and he told me they are alone with a cell phone while he's at works and got snotty when I told him how stupid that is and he said he comfortable with it and it's legal.I tried to explain being left alone is up for discussion with 1 child not when he's responsible for 2 more so young,he said well we have great neighbors(meaning me) well how am I supposed to react if a child comes to my door at 2 am and I have no clue what's going on cause the fathers hidden the fact he's left these kids alone!? Am I supposed to cover it up for him? I won't! Thanks
  • Sep 6, 2006, 11:53 AM
    CaptainForest
    I would call the police, and file a report. That way you are covering your own neck in case anything bad ever happens.
  • Sep 6, 2006, 12:28 PM
    ScottGem
    The police will probably refer you to the local Family and Children's services agency. Probably best to go to them directly.
  • Sep 6, 2006, 01:32 PM
    windy-1
    Thank-You both I did call Children's Aide (they are 4 blocks down the drive from here) and a worker that had been involved few yrs ago when mother was put out of house is now back involved.I know he will hate me forever but my husband and I couldn't function knowing they were alone there.This person an afford chold care he works at one of the big 3 car plants in the city here and is just being stupid about the whole thing but I feel better knowing they aren't alone,again Thank-You
  • Sep 16, 2006, 06:44 AM
    talaniman
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by windy-1
    Thank-You both I did call Childrens Aide (they are 4 blocks down the drive from here) and a worker that had been involved few yrs ago when mother was put out of house is now back involved.I know he will hate me forever but my husband and I couldnt function knowing they were alone there.This person an afford chold care he works at one of the big 3 car plants in the city here and is just being stupid about the whole thing but I feel better knowing they arent alone,again Thank-You

    No. Thank you for watching out for the welfare of these children.
  • Nov 1, 2006, 06:57 PM
    Jen8446
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by windy-1
    i am trying to find out what age is legal for a child to be alone with 2 younger siblings in ontario,i understand for a lone child its guaged on maturity but what about other kids with the child,can they be left alone eveynight over night 5 nights a week??thank you for your help

    It depends on how mature the oldest is. I would say at least 14.. at least. But it also depends on how old the 2 younger siblings are, if any are under 5, I wouldn't leave them alone until the oldest is about 16 or 17. You have to be careful not to give a young child too much responsibility. He/She might not be able to handle it, and if something happens, might be too scared to tell you about it.
  • Nov 17, 2006, 09:14 PM
    dbek
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by windy-1
    i am trying to find out what age is legal for a child to be alone with 2 younger siblings in ontario,i understand for a lone child its guaged on maturity but what about other kids with the child,can they be left alone eveynight over night 5 nights a week??thank you for your help

    I don't think as a parent of children the about the same aged children, I would ever leave my children home along at night. It's one thing leaving them home for a couple hours. To many things could happen. Sounds like he doesn't want to pay for child care. I think your right-and should do something about it. What that is I don't know-I would call CPS and tell them the situation and if they feel warranted in investigating then they will. Can you take the kids? If he has custody maybe you should take him to court to get full custody of them. Since he isn't providing the needs that the children need.
  • Jun 12, 2010, 07:42 PM
    LucyJ194
    I have a son who is 15 years old and he babysits my neighbours kids and their friends overnight, while they're parents were out. They are about 10 and 11. At first I was concerned that something might go wrong so I hesitated but then I let him babysit them and everything went smoothly. Nothing ever happened, so I recommend that 15 years and older is a very resonable age to babysit overnight.

  • All times are GMT -7. The time now is 04:54 AM.