Milwaukee Public Schools students are out for Thanksgiving beginning Nov. 24.
While kids revel in the week-long break, it can be stressful for parents and guardians who find themselves without childcare — even if it’s just for a few hours. If that’s you, you might be wondering if you can leave your child at home.
Here’s what Wisconsin law says about when kids can stay home alone:
At what age can a child be left home alone in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin does not have a legal age requirement for children to be left home alone. Like in the majority of the nation, it’s left up to parents.
The state does, however, have more specific laws surrounding child abandonment and neglect.
Anyone who leaves a child somewhere where they may suffer, with intent to abandon them, is guilty of a felony. A person is also guilty of neglect if they do not provide basic care — such as food, clothing and shelter — to a child for reasons other than poverty.
What age are kids ready to stay home alone?
There’s no exact answer on when kids are ready to stay home alone, and most experts say parents should make the decision on a case-by-case basis.
Most children are “generally ready” to stay home around 12 or 13 years old, according to Safe Kids Worldwide. The nonprofit also advises parents to use discretion “within the boundaries of the law” to gauge a child’s maturity level.
What do other states say about leaving children home alone?
Of the states that have laws regarding when children can be left home alone, the age requirement varies widely.
How to determine if your child is ready to be home alone, according to the Madison Fire Department:
Though it ultimately varies, the Madison Fire Department offers some specific guidance, such as assessing a child’s physical and social capabilities, to help parents determine whether their child is ready to be home alone.
Physical Readiness
Mental Readiness
Social Readiness
Emotional Readiness
Additionally, the department says you should consider the safety of your home and neighborhood, how long your child would be alone, if there is an adult nearby in case of emergency and if your child has any special needs.
If you have multiple children, there needs to be a child who is even older and more mature than the others in the home. “Children do best when they’re not overburdened by caring for younger siblings,” the department said.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Is it legal to leave kids home alone for Thanksgiving break in Wisconsin? What the law says
Reporting by Cailey Gleeson and Maia Pandey, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
