Leaving children home alone, what's the legal age?

[Deejoy17]

My step sons are 14 and 15 years, whilst under DH`s and my care they are not left alone in the house (this is our ruling and at times they don`t like it), if I have to go out and DH isn`t with me, they go down to DH (we own a farm) or they come with me, if they do happen to go down to DH, I give him a call to let him know they are coming down to him.

[echidna]

Cass, because of the distance, I wouldn't leave him home at all. I wouldn't want anyone there without some way of getting to town or to another property. I'd tell your MIL and also his mother that in your house, nobody gets left home alone, in case an emergency arises.

[~clover~]

At 11 I was getting up in the mornings, getting my brother, sister & myself ready for school & walking them there then to the baby sitters. Mum & dad left for work by 6.30am.

At 13 I was home alone with my sister & often my brother as well every day. All day while mum &dad worked. We did our schooling through distance education then, so I do mean ALL day. With no way of contacting mum & dad if needed.
I was a responsible kid, but that only gets you so far. I got sick of mum upping me every night for something & took my 7 year old sister & ran away. We tried hitch hiking. Not a vry smart thing to do.

My answer is no. My dad & sister left DD1 home alone with her 11 & 12 year old cousins for about 30 - 40 miutes & I wasn't impressed when I found out.

It does all depend on the child & situation, but in your instance I think you were right. Its not up to your MIL. If she didn't care why bring him to you? If she's so sure he can handle i why didn't she leave him at her place alone??

[casscart]

I do really appreciate everyone taking the time to chat with me today, thanks heaps :0)

My MIL is very good at emotional blackmail, and always wants some sort of control, as much as this may sound nasty, shes becoming a real cow and I think she did it to pee me off. I've only started to speak my mind around her, usually I let her say what ever she wants and I say nothing. I remember that she did mention something about taking him back to her place but she was in a hurry and had to go. Its just all about control with her. Its so sad when your MIL doesn't like you much for no good reason, I know she was really agro when DH told her off for saying what she said about me.

I love having my stepson around me, and I'm sure if something did happen to him being left on his own it would be me in trouble not her, also I wouldn't want anyone to take my children away and say I'm not a fit parent.

[Mumma2three]

Gosh I dont' think you're negative at all! I would have done the same. Especially being 20 mins each way, you'd have to be gone for at least an hour.
I leave DD 10 home for 1/2 hour while I pop to the shop. It is 2 mins away and she usually calls me while Im out!!! (cute). But I wouldn't leave her if I was going any further.
I can't see that being responsible could be taken as negative. MIL's can be soooo frustrating. She's prob annoyed because she came across looking so uncaring!! xo

[casscart]

Gosh I dont' think you're negative at all! I would have done the same. Especially being 20 mins each way, you'd have to be gone for at least an hour.
I leave DD 10 home for 1/2 hour while I pop to the shop. It is 2 mins away and she usually calls me while Im out!!! (cute). But I wouldn't leave her if I was going any further.
I can't see that being responsible could be taken as negative. MIL's can be soooo frustrating. She's prob annoyed because she came across looking so uncaring!! xo

Thanks for understanding. I feel so much better with myself now that I have had everyones opinions on this, so glad I posted my concern. MIL is still being very nasty to me. I did say in a kind manner that I wouldn't interfer or say anything if she had left him home at her place. But she did put me in a situation that I was really uncomfortable with. I'm sure his mum leaves him home alone due to the fact he knows his neighbours and they do live in suburbia where its busy, also he knows his surroundings.