Want to see if they're ready? Try a dry run. Leave them for 10 minutes while you walk the dog. If you come back and they've built a catapult out of broomsticks, you're not ready.
Check if they know basic first aid. Ask them: "If you burn your hand on a pizza roll, what do you do?" Wrong answer: "Eat it anyway." Right answer: "Run it under cold water."
Here’s A Chart That Tells You When You Can Leave Your Kids Home Alone
Another test: give them a list of two tasks. "Feed the cat" and "Don't answer the door for strangers." If they forget both because they're watching SpongeBob, wait a year. SpongeBob is a powerful force.
The Unwritten Rules
Here's the thing: neighbors are watching. Not in a creepy way. In a "did I see a kid climbing onto the roof?" way. If your 8-year-old is home alone and your neighbor calls the cops, you're having a fun conversation.
Social norms change fast. In the 1980s, kids were left alone at age 6. Now, helicopter parents keep them within arm's reach until college. Blame the 24-hour news cycle. Every loose dog is a headline.
The bottom line: laws are boring. The adventure is in the preparation. Teach them how to cook mac and cheese. Show them the emergency contacts. And buy extra snacks.
