The remaining states dont have strict legislation, only recommendations, leaving this decision up to the parents.

However, age isnt always a good indicator of whether a child could be left home alone.

Some mature more quickly, while others take longer to do so.

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Remind your child that there will be consequences if the rules are broken, he says.

Its just part of the plan.

As time goes on, the planned check-ins can have longer intervals.

Two people sitting outside a green tent enjoying drinks in a campsite under a blue sky.

There should always be a plan for a check-in.

It is part of being responsible, she concludes.

Check out the results:

Text about a woman considering calling child services after a son was left at home during a camping trip.

Text about a camping trip with friends and family.

Text discussing concerns about leaving a son at home, mentioning emergency contacts and lack of signal coverage.

A woman in a green coat looking over her shoulder in a forest setting, related to child services inquiry.

Text about a woman upset over a mother leaving her 18-year-old son home alone, considering calling child services.

Text describing mistaken concern over child left at home; mistaken age perception of parent.

A boy reading a book at home, sitting on a sofa, with a blurred living room background.

Man and teen talking on a couch, reflecting a parent-child interaction at home.

Reddit comment about a woman wanting to report someone to child services for leaving their son home alone.

Comment about being mistaken for a young, irresponsible parent with 104 points.

Image of a Reddit comment discussing judgment without context related to leaving a child at home.

User comment about questioning son’s age in a child services scenario.

Text post about child services mistaking son for his own parent at home alone.

Reddit comment about being in boot camp at 17 and traveling the world with the US Navy.

Comment on leaving son at home referencing sippy cup and Cheerios.

Text from a user reminiscing about babysitting a toddler and baby for a weekend at age 11.

Comment on 17-year-olds living alone, highlighting independence and challenging views on leaving kids at home alone.

Reddit comment about age perception, humorously mentioning having older children.

User comment about being left home alone as a child, humorously noting the generational difference.

Text post discussing someone wanting to call child services for a child left at home alone.

Reddit comment about child services and parenting decisions, mentioning asking about child’s age and minding one’s own business.

Comment on child services concern, highlighting misinterpretation.

Reddit comment discussing teenagers being left home alone.

Text exchange about leaving grown children at home, mistaken for negligence.

Text post about a man’s experience buying a bracelet for his wife’s 50th birthday, mistaken for his mother.

Text from an online forum discussing parenting experiences and perceptions of neglect.

Text post about a misunderstanding involving calling Child Services over canned food purchases.

Text from online forum about age confusion during ER visit with brother.

Reddit comment discussing perceptions of age and related judgments toward the user’s husband.

Text from a comment discussing child services concerns when leaving kids at home with their dad.

Text recounting a humorous misunderstanding about kids' bathing habits and a call to child services.