Community Corner

PARENTS TALK: Leaving a Child at Home Alone

How old should kids be before you can start leaving them home alone?

It's a scene straight from the "Home Alone" movie franchise.

Your child or teenager, left at home while you were out on errands or at work, gets into some kind of trouble—whether it's dealing with an intruder or a more mundane problem, like forgetting to take the dog out on time. Is your child old enough and responsible enough to handle the issue in a responsible or appropriate way? Can he or she be trusted to take care of the home while you're away for a brief time?

Those are questions that confront countless parents every year. Common sense tells us that a four-year-old probably isn't old enough to stay home alone, while a high school senior can handle it without a fuss. But what about the ages in between?

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The state of Minnesota does not have any laws establishing when children may be left home alone, but does require that guardians provide supervision that is appropriate for the child.

As part of this week's Parents Talk, we're asking you to weigh in on this issue: How old should a child be before you can leave them at home alone? What additional steps, if any, should a parent take to ensure their child's safety when they are home alone?

Find out what's happening in Shakopeewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

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