Spring break is just around the corner and while some parents are turning to a babysitter or day camp, others are opting to leave their little ones home alone and test their independence.
First of all, you need to know that in Quebec there is no law that determines at what age a child can stay home alone. However, the Canada Safety Council (CCS) recommends waiting until age 10 to leave the child alone and until age 12 to care for another child.
“However, we must remember that it is not just a question of age, but also of maturity,” emphasized Lewis Smith, head of national projects at the CCS. The latter placed emphasis on three questions: the level of maturity, the level of trust – both in the child and in the parents – and the well-being of the young person.
“Each situation must be assessed in a specific way, taking into account various factors, including the personal characteristics of the child, the ability of the parents to protect him. “Give your child and the community resources to help the child if needed,” emphasized the Directorate for Child Protection (DPJ) in an email.
Mr Smith also explained that when it comes time to leave your child home alone for the first time, you need to take a gradual approach.
“After [une courte sortie dâune heure ou deux, il faut] Go home and discuss with the young person, ask simple questions to find out if he feels comfortable,” he said in an interview with the QMI agency.
Parental responsibility
Johanne G. Clouet, associate professor at the Faculty of Law at the University of Montreal, who studied the topic, also goes in the same direction.
In her opinion, it is a question of “common sense,” but there are still questions you should ask yourself before leaving your child alone for the first time: Is he or she mature enough? Is the child prepared? Does he know where his parents will be and how to reach them?
“The parent has a duty of supervision, so he must ensure that his child does not endanger himself and that he does not endanger others,” recalled Ms. Clouet, who specializes in particular in family law.
If a parent does not fulfill this obligation, we can speak of neglect.
However, to get there, one must evaluate the context and age and ask oneself whether another “reasonable parent” would have reacted in the same way “under the same circumstances,” added the specialist, who recalls that these factors are decisive when a complaint is filed with the DPJ.
Formations
Following the same principle as training to become a “knowledgeable guardian”, there are courses to prepare children for being alone at home. In these trainings, offered by various organizations including the CCS and the Canadian Red Cross, we teach young people how to behave when left alone and specific first aid concepts.
“At the very end of the course, we have them fill out a small self-assessment list to find out if they feel comfortable enough to stay home alone,” explains Johane. Lafleur, an account manager with the Canadian Red Cross, said that even if he or she has taken the course, the youth may not be ready.