Just wondering

[SandiM]

Hello I was wondering if Anyone knew the laws in OREGON and WASHINGTON about the age you can leave your child home to baby-sit it's younger siblings.
Also if the child is 15 but has been diagnosed with slight mental retardation and has ADHD and the child they are watching is only 6 yrs old is it still legal for the parent to just leave them home alone while at work?

thanks for all your help

 

[Grandma B]

I don't know of any state that has a law stating at what age a child can be left alone or in charge of other children per se. It generally depends more on the individual child and their capabilities than on chronological age.

 

[ceciliamichelle]

SandiM- Please if you love your chidren try to think of a another alternative. A child that is ADHD and slightly mental retardation can not really focus on if their was a real emergency what they should do. Their are adult daycare centers and some of them go by payment of % of your income. Please really think hard about this. If anything was to go wrong you'll never forgive yourself.

 

[Grandma B]

SandiM- Please if you love your chidren try to think of a another alternative. A child that is ADHD and slightly mental retardation can not really focus on if their was a real emergency what they should do.

Not always true. Many with ADHD and/or slight mental retardation react to emergency situations more effectively than their "normal" counterparts. I know of one 10-year-old young man that would perform far better in any situation requiring prompt action than would his "normal" 11-year-old brother.

Again, it depends on the individual child.

 

[SandiM]

Just to let you all know the children are Not mine. A friend of mine had asked me about the age limit and since I did not know I thought I would ask. I do have an 8 yr. old nephew with ADHD and if you ask me he acts like a normal child he does take a small dose of meds in the morning but still a fun loving 8 yr. old. My concern was about the older child though since he was diagnosed with a slight mental retardation I was just wanting to make sure the mother was in right by leaving her 6 yr. old under his care.

Thank you for all your replys