Leaving kids alone at the bus stop vs. home alone?

Question

Isn't it more dangerous to leave a child in a public place all alone outside where he/she can be kidnapped in the morning hours? How is it that I can't leave my 10 year old locked safely in the car while I run in a store for 3 minutes, yet, its acceptable for her to walk and stand alone for 20?

I am wondering because all I see are 9, 10, and 11 year Olds walking and alone at bus stops. Yet, the police woukd be called if I went outside to get the mail and left her indoors and something happened.

True or no?

Answer 1

At ten years old I'm not sure why you'd be getting in trouble for leaving her in the car (unless she was doing something unsafe or it was hot outside)... it's generally accepted that you don't leave kids in the car because of how hot it gets (and very quickly) and with young children you are concerned about them leaving the car or opening the door for a stranger. Of course if something happened, the police would be called... the police would be called if something happened at the bus stop as well. If you were inside with her and there was an emergency, you might call the police... right?

Answer 2

No. You can leave your kid at home, my parents did that a lot. 2-3 days at a time, thank god i knew how to cook or my big sister would starve. My parents had no problem leaving me in the car when i was that age. The only thing is that i have to be sure that they leave the keys with me so i can go outside if it gets too hot or turn the car on if it gets too cold. Basic rules. If you need to fetch the mail stick your kid in front of the TV or give them a handheld game console

Answer 3

10 year olds know how to unlock the door and get out before they overheat or die of hypothermia!! That "rule" is for BABIES. A one week old...or even a 6 month old...can NOT unlock the door and escape a car that is too hot or too cold.



And yes, the police would be called if you "went to check the mail and something happened"...but only for HELP...NOT to arrest you for endangerment or neglect!! A healthy, "normal", 10 year old, in most states, CAN be left unattended for a couple hours.



Now, of course, if a child has special needs, the laws vary based on their specific need(s).



Also, why are you sending your child alone to the bus stop 20 minutes early? If you're able to, watch for the bus, as long as you don't have a mile long driveway, send them out when it arrives. If you can't, time the bus. Get your child a watch and make her keep note of the schedule for a week, then send her out only 4 or 5 minutes before the bus is due. Keep in contact with the school to see if/when they have a new driver (who may be unfamiliar with the route, causing the bus to be early or late). Our local school district sends letters home in these cases, so we never have to wonder, other close school districts send emails or texts, etc. Maybe even bring that up at the next PTA/PTO meeting about the school implementing something like that. A generic form with "Bus Number ____ will have a substitute driver __________. Please be aware as your child's bus may come earlier or later than normal during this time." The school can easily print several of these "forms" out on a single sheet of paper, cut them out, fill in the bus number and the date/dates the normal driver will be out, then just give it to the kids who are on that specific bus. That simple phrase will fit on a typical Word document 17 times per page. In Microsoft publisher, it will fit anywhere from 10 to 24 times, depending on how big the font is, what font you use and if you do single or double columns. Mine like to be out 15 minutes early, but, they're sisters, riding the same bus, as well as many other kids at the stop with them if one or the other has to stay home sick.