At what age can you give a child a key to your house?

Parents today must often balance responsibilities such as working and figuring out how to care for their child after school. Once your child hits their tweens, you might be wondering if it is time for them to finally stay home alone. Getting a key to the house is a rite of passage that many kids embrace as a sign that they are getting old enough to trust, and your child might have been asking for one long before you were ready to even consider the possibility.

As a parent, however, you might be facing serious anxiety about your child’s ability to take care of themselves. Plus, there are legalities to consider. Before you go making copies of your house key, you can work through these steps to make sure your child is fully ready for this milestone moment.

Know the Generally Accepted Age Range

Opinions vary among parents about when a child is capable of safely being left home alone. Fortunately, you can look at a few local laws to help you make a safe and legal decision. Currently, there are only three provinces in Canada that have laws in place regarding a minimum age for allowing a child to stay home alone, and these range from 16 to 12.

As a general rule, child development and safety specialists typically recommend not leaving a child under the age of 12 home alone. Allowing a child under the age of 10-12 to opt out of having a babysitter could also be seen as a form of neglect in certain situations. Always check the law for your province before you hand your child a set of keys.

Consider Your Child’s Maturity Level

Some children are perfectly ready to stay home alone by the time they hit 12, while others may need a few more years before you can trust them to stay safe. If your child tends to engage in high-risk behaviors, then you might need to provide them with supervision to make sure they don’t put themselves in danger. If you’ve noticed your child is the type to make sure the doors are locked after they walk inside the house, then they may be ready sooner.

Ask Your Child If They’re Comfortable Staying Home Alone

Some children might be nervous about taking on such a big responsibility. Once you’ve decided that your child is old enough to legally stay home, then you’ll want to talk to them to find out if they even want to. If your child isn’t sure if they’re ready, then you can explore some options such as having a neighbor or family member check in on them after school.

Focus On the Practical Issues

Letting your child stay home alone frees you up from having to arrange for childcare and other responsibilities. However, this new arrangement can sometimes lead to a few new worries. For instance, you’ll want to make sure your child always has their key. Giving them a custom keychain can help them keep up with their key so that they don’t get locked out. Your child may also need transportation arrangements if they need to get home from school in inclement weather. Planning ahead helps you to make sure that your child has what they need to be successful with saying home alone.

Teach Self-Help Skills

While your child might feel fairly confident about their ability to stay safe, you’ll want to be extra sure they know how to prevent and handle potential emergencies. For example, you’ll want to go over how to handle a knock on the door, and your child should know how to quickly exit your home and call for help if they smell smoke or see flames. Covering the basics helps both of you to feel comfortable with their time at home alone.

Add a Few Extra Layers of Comfort

Depending upon your child’s age, you might not be ready for them to use the stove when you’re not home. Stashing a few snacks in the pantry is an option that allows your child to stave off hunger pangs while staying safe. Walking into their house knowing that they’ve got a yummy treat such as dry-banana snacks waiting makes your child feel cared for until you make it home. You might also want to arrange for someone to call your child to help with homework and make sure they feel safe.

Receiving a house key is a major responsibility for your child, and you can feel confident that it is the right choice when you carefully examine each factor involved in making this decision. As you get ready for your child’s first day home alone, consider stairs stepping into the process. Letting them stay home for an hour while you run to the store can prepare them for a lengthier time alone when they walk home from school. Working together with your child helps them to feel prepared and capable of handling their needs on their first big day letting themselves in through the front door.