At what age did you start allowing your children to stay at home alone? What made you feel (s)he was ready?

My ds is 13 & we JUST started letting him do it this yr-he will be 14 in about 2weeks. He is mature & smart about keeping doors locked, closed & not answering doors or telling people he is alone-I still worry even though he is smart & knowledgable.He's my baby even if he thinks he is getting so grown up

I think every child is different and you know your child better than anyone. You will know when you feel they are responsible enough to be home alone. My oldest son will be 12 in December. Right after he turned 11 we started letting him stay home if he didn't want to go to the grocery store with me or if I was right down the street etc. Never if I was more than 10 minutes from home. He's done very very well. Has followed all the rules & I've never once had an issue with him home alone. He knows friends aren't allowed in & if he's going next door to his best friends house he has to call & let me know when he goes over there & as soon as he gets back in the house. He's earned every bit of the freedom he has.
All that said, keep in mind that we lived on the base so I was very comfortable knowing he was in a safe environment & I was always a quick phone call away or he knew most of our neighbors :)

I started leaving my oldest home alone at the age of 9. She is 13 now. My youngest stays home alone now if I have to go to the store she is 9 going on 10. We live in a safe neighborhood.

Mine are 12 and 6 I let my 12 yr old stay alone some....but never have over night or anything...and same for us...no friends over when im gone.

I'll probably let them stay home alone at 13 or 14. I already have rules about not answering the phone or door when I'm in the shower. I just hope they'll follow those rules when they're home alone.

Well as you know I have four, and I have let the two older ones (10 and 8) stay home for a little while, they know all the rules and are very much trusted by me and Sean.