In Texas, This Is When A Child Can Legally Be Left Home Alone

Summer is here and that means kids are at home and for some parents, that can add some issues into scheduling and work. Sure, there are day camps and summer camps, and even day care for kids, but eventually a kid is old enough to stay home, right?

The question is, at what age can a kid be left home alone? And in Texas, the answer is a bit complicated.

At What Age Can a Child in Texas be Legally Left Home Alone?

So you need to run to work or the grocery store, or any other type of errands. Can you leave your kid home by themselves while your out?

There are two ways of looking at this question. First, at what age can you legally leave a kid at home alone in Texas? And second, is my kid mature enough or can they handle being left alone?

In Texas, you may or may not be surprised to learn that there is no legal age defined in law when it comes to leaving a child alone. According to the Texas State Law Library, no Texas law covers how old your kid has to be to be left at home alone. However, the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services recommends no child under the age of 12 be left home alone. And of course we are only talking about spending hours alone, not days or weeks. That's when you get into child neglect territory.

Things to Think About If Leaving Your Kid Home Alone

Child Protective Services has a pretty good list of things a parent should think about when deciding to leave their kid home alone. Including ways to contact each other, are they emotionally mature enough to handle being left alone, and more.

In short, no there is no Texas law about how old a kid must be before they can stay home alone. But generally, under 12 years old is frowned upon.