Eleven has been the magic number in our house for staying home alone. It's worked well for our son and our daughter, now both teens. Just keep in mind there are going to be mishaps - one child tried to butter toast BEFORE it went in the toaster. Another decided to help out by unloading the dishwater, which hadn't been run yet. Just be patient and remember staying alone is a learning experience.

As a mom, I think this is one of the most difficult things I've had to do -- decide if my kids are ready to be home alone and then actually walk out the door without them.

Independence and the ability to take care of yourself are such valuable (and necessary) life skills. But those first few times alone can be really hard on mom :-).

I have a 10 year old who was so glad not to have to make trips to the grocery store after she turned 8. I felt comfortable leaving her alone for small periods of time mainly because she was comfortable with it. (I never was as a kid -- I hated being left alone) My twins just turned 8 this year and are now exercising their independence and prefer to stay home rather than go on errands with me. It usually goes pretty well.
Last week their school was closed due to a water main break in the neighborhood, and I had planned to go into work for a couple of hours. This was the real test and they passed with flying colors. I was gone for nearly 3 hours. I let them play Wii and watch a video. When I returned home, they were all listening to an episode of Adventures in Odyssey on the computer. So really, 8 has worked for us for short time periods.

As I understand the Maryland law, it is age 8, but only if the child is alone (i.e., not in charge of any younger children) but only for a limited and specified number of hours, right? Maybe two or three. I think, though I cannot confirm it, that a child must be 13 to be caring for younger children, like in babysitting. Or maybe that was just the recommendation by www.SafeKids.org. If anyone has any links to an authoritative source, that would be great.

I was fairly responsible in youth and started babysitting at age 10 for 2 young children, but I am amazed now that any parent trusted a 10 year old to make good decisions! Although I think at that age, the neighbor only asked me to sit when she knew my mom would be home, since we lived directly next door.

Here's the law:

A. Maryland Family Law Art. 5-801 states:

"a) A person who is charged with the care of a child under the age of 8 years may not allow the child to be locked or confined in a dwelling, building, enclosure or motor vehicle while the person charged is absent and the dwelling, building, enclosure or motor vehicle is out of sight of the person charged unless the person charged provides at person at least 13 years old to remain with the child to protect the child.

b) A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $500 or imprisonment not exceeding 30 days or both."

I have a 9-year-old who does not want to be left alone, so even though it is legal, we don't do it.

If you read the statute, it seems to apply to enclosures that the caretaker has dominion over. The terms "locked" and "confined" are not self-evident, but the statute seems directed at people who leave their children alone at home or in the car.

However, it does not seem to forbid letting children play in the yard, or in a local park without supervision, or to walk to school or to the bus stop.

Some schools in Maryland apparently are interpreting this law to mean that no child under 8 can ever be left alone, but the bare words of the law do not say this.