Leave the child alone at home – only if it meets four requirements, says an expert
Created: 06/19/2022, 03:00 p.m
By: Jasmin Pospiech
Many parents are in a dilemma: When can I leave my child at home alone with a clear conscience?
A teacher points out the duty of supervision.
Munich – Anyone who has children often worries about them.
Thoughts often revolve around the right upbringing.
Am I doing everything right?
Do I have to set more rules in everyday life or even let things loosen up a bit?
What is the right balance?
These are certainly difficult questions to which there is seldom a uniform answer.
After all, all children are unique and need individual attention.
After all, parents intuitively know best what is good for their own offspring.
Leave the child at home alone: it is better not to overwhelm the offspring
Children are allowed to stay at home alone - if they are ready for it.
(Icon image) © Cavan Images/Imago
Nevertheless, it is also advisable to get help or advice from experts from time to time.
Especially when it comes to the topic of self-employment, which unsettles many parents.
As children get older and more independent, they want to do more on their own.
This also includes staying at home alone.
It's a real blessing for some parents if they can just go shopping or go to the hairdresser's on their own.
But at what age you can leave children at home unsupervised, there is no general answer.
In principle, however, it is correct that according to paragraph 1626, paragraph 2 of the German Civil Code (BGB) there is a parental duty of supervision.
For this reason, children should never be left completely unsupervised, even up to the age of three.
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Nevertheless, it is perfectly fine to get the little ones used to it step by step at an advanced age, says social worker Dana Mundt from the Federal Conference for Educational Counseling (BKE): "From the age of four you should always check in after 15 to 30 minutes in the apartment from the age of five after 30 minutes on a nearby playground, which I keep an eye on at all times.
From the age of seven, two hours alone at home are possible as orientation.” Her BKE colleague, qualified social worker Dana Urban, agrees in principle.
Leave the child at home alone: keep an eye on the child's development
Nevertheless, you should always keep an eye on the development of the child, she adds, and you can also ask them whether they dare to do it.
If it then meets the following four requirements, parents can also create better trust.
So make sure that the offspring:
stick to agreements
knows how to get help
shows a sense of responsibility and
recognizes dangers (e.g. when the doorbell rings).
In principle, it is advisable before parents go away to talk to their children about their plans and agree with them how long they will be alone and when mother and father will come back.
The parents should also keep to the agreements, not just the offspring.
In addition, the former should always be available by telephone in an emergency.
But even if you mean well: The expert advises against locking children in the house when you are away.
This leaves the latter with a bad feeling and could weaken the (self-)confidence they have gained.
This article only contains general information on the respective health topic and is therefore not intended for self-diagnosis, treatment or medication. In no way does it replace a visit to the doctor. Unfortunately, our editors are not allowed to answer individual questions about clinical pictures.