The inclusion of such a provision subtly implies that at least one parent does not have the common sense or consideration for the safety of their children that they should – which is the opposite of what is assumed in a parenting plan in which there are 191 factors. It is a legal presumption that healthy parents are making safe choices on behalf of their children. If both are considered capable parents, it is generally not necessary or healthy for one parent to be a caregiver or take on the role of “primary parent”. This means that many families are trying to find a solution, and for some, it may mean leaving a child alone at home. PIERCE COUNTY, Washington — A new analysis by smart dollars says nearly 34 percent of Seattle-area families with children under the age of 14 don`t have parents at home. Washington State does not have a law that determines the age at which a child can be left home alone. However, the Washington Department of Social and Social Services (“DSHS”) offers some clues. According to DSHS guidelines, children ages 9 to 12 can generally be left home alone for less than two hours, and children 13 and older can babysit younger children for up to 12 hours. Children up to 8 years old should not be left alone at home. For a child with a particular illness or disability, DSHS also does not advise leaving the child alone at home. Provisions about how old a child must be before being left home alone are extremely rare in a parenting plan. If it is during a parent`s period of residence, it is usually a “day-to-day” decision at the discretion of the parent then resident. “I`m pretty lucky to have a child who is good and listens and I can count on her, otherwise I wouldn`t feel safe leaving her at home,” Justin said.
The closest are provisions that give the other parent the right to observe the child if the parent at that time cannot do so. But, again, the issue of leaving a child home alone during a parent`s residency period is otherwise in itself a day-to-day decision, not an important decision in Washington. Learning to take care of yourself and not do stupid things is an important part of growing up. Leaving a child alone at home can contribute to maturity and help teach responsibility. Yet what is appropriate for a 16-year-old will not be the same for a 6-year-old. As mentioned earlier, provisions regarding the age a child must be before being left home alone are extremely rare in a parenting plan. This is not considered an important decision under Washington law. For Justin, that means leaving his 12-year-old home alone for part of the day. There are legal age restrictions for children who are left home alone. Some are guidelines and some states may have more definitive laws than others. In some cases, a parenting plan may limit how long your child can be left home alone by a co-parent, or prohibit leaving them completely alone. If your parenting plan is silent on this topic and you have a friendly, cooperative co-parenting relationship, talk to your co-parent about how old you think your child can be home alone and for how long.
Written correspondence, such as email, is a good way to document informal agreements. If this issue is causing litigation, it`s time to contact your family law attorney in Seattle. In addition to your child`s age and maturity, you should consult your parenting plan if you and your partner created one as part of your separation or divorce before making the decision to leave your child home alone. Your parenting plan may require that your co-parent first be asked if they are available to supervise your child before leaving them home alone or calling a babysitter. © washingtonpost.com 1996-2015 The Washington Post For more tips on how to navigate the relationship with your co-parent and child, call our office today. At home, her daughter thinks about the fun things they can do when her father comes home. In all likelihood, your parenting plan will not provide advice on when or whether to leave your child home alone. Nevertheless, the decision must be made holistically. However, remember, if it is a court-ordered parenting plan, a parent does not have the right to ignore themselves and decide that it is no longer the right decision for their child. It was and still is the decision until the court ordered something else SOURCE: Database Systems Corp.
* These states do not set a specific age at which a child can legally stay home alone, but make recommendations. State officials depend on the maturity of the child, but they say children aged 10 or younger should not be left home alone. In Washington, there is no law setting an age at which a child can stay home alone. Our team of family law lawyers in Seattle understands the emotional issues that can underlie a landmark decision, such as: Leaving your child home alone, and what a potential minefield this can be as it invades the right of healthy parents to make everyday decisions. If a parent is so weakened, there are likely 191 factors and other elective constraints in the parenting plan, and such micromanagement could be valid in these situations. A parenting plan may include a provision stating that in a situation where your child might otherwise be left home alone, the other parent has the right to observe the child.