Is Michigan Putting Kids In Danger By Not Having This Law?

I was raised by a single mom who worked 12-hour shifts as a nurse.

She had to drive 45 minutes to the hospital each way which meant she would often leave before we left for school and wasn't home until around dinner time.

Get our free mobile app

I remember her having to haul me and my brother Bob to the babysitter early in the morning before work and then pick us up in the evening when it was dark.

We had several different babysitters from 1st grade until I was in 5th grade and started being left home alone.

I don't know if it was to save money because child care was expensive or if she thought I was a mature 5th grader, but I was left at home alone with my young brother in 2nd grade.

I would get us up in the morning, eat breakfast, and then walk the half-mile to our Elementary School.

Thankfully nothing bad happened on the way to and from school and we never burned the house down making pizzas in the oven or mac and cheese on the stovetop.

Back then, Michigan had no laws about what age kids could be left alone.

At the time of writing this, there is still no law in Michigan on the books for a minimum age for a child to be left home alone, but should there be?

What States Have Laws For A Minimum Age To Leave A Child Home Alone?

While some states have specific laws regarding the minimum age for leaving a child home alone, Michigan does not have such a law.

• 14 Years Old: Illinois
• 12 Years Old: Colorado, Connecticut, and Mississippi
• 11 Years Old: Kentucky
• 10 Years Old: South Dakota, Tennessee, and Washington
• 9 Years Old: Georgia
• 8 Years Old: Maryland and North Carolina
• 7 Years Old: Nebraska and Oklahoma
• 6 Years Old: Kansas
• No Age: 36 states (some have guidelines at the local level)

There Is No Minimum Age For Kids To Left Home Alone In Michigan

In Michigan, no state law specifies a minimum age at which a child can be left alone without adult supervision. Instead, the decision is left to the parents or guardians to determine the child's readiness based on factors such as their physical, mental, and emotional well-being, as well as their maturity and ability to make good decisions.

I don't like being told what I'm allowed and not allowed to do on a Local, State, or Federal level and that's because I have common sense.

Unfortunately, we all know a person or two in our lives who doesn't and it's a miracle that they can walk and chew gum at the same time.

Those are the people that make me wonder if Michigan is putting kids in danger by not having a minimum age to be alone at home on the books.

What do you think?

I'd love to hear what you think (send me an email)