What It Means
A latchkey kid is a school-age child of working parentsWorking parentA parent who holds a paid job, full time or part time, while raising children. See more who spends part of the day, usually after school, at home without an adult. Merriam-Webster's definition turns on being unsupervised while parents work. The name comes from the latchkey, a key to an outside door, which the child carries to let themselves in.
Try It: What the Guidance Says at Your Child's Age
Slide to your child's age. Guidance is from HealthyChildren.org, the American Academy of Pediatrics' parent site; your state's law comes first.
HealthyChildren.org says most children aren't mature enough to manage being alone on a regular basis until about 10 or 11.
About the age HealthyChildren.org says many children become mature enough to manage regular time alone. Readiness still varies child to child.
Some states set a minimum age in law, from 8 to 14, per HealthyChildren.org. Check yours.
How Parents Say It
- "I was a latchkey kid, I had my key on a shoelace."
- "She lets herself in and texts me when she's home."
- "He's home alone for an hour until I get back from work."
The Breakdown
By age, per HealthyChildren.org, with a first step from Buhata
| Age | What the guidance says | A first step some families try (Buhata's example) |
|---|---|---|
| Under 1010,000 stepsA popular daily step goal that began as the name of a 1960s Japanese pedometer; later studies find health benefits begin well below it. See more | Most children aren't mature enough to manage being alone regularly | After-school care or another adult at home |
| About 10 or 11 | The age by which many children become mature enough for regular time alone | A short trial afternoon with a check-in call |
| Any age | Some states set a legal minimum, from 8 to 14 | Read your state's rule before the first afternoon |
The first afternoons. Before a child starts letting themselves in, practice the route and the door, agree on a check-in text or call, list what's off-limits (the stove, visitors, going out), and name a neighbor they can go to. Keep the first stretches short.
When to rethink. If your child is anxious about being alone, keeps breaking the agreed rules, or something goes wrong, go back to supervised care and try again later.
Good to Know
Rules on leaving children home alone differ by state, and HealthyChildren.org notes some states set minimum ages ranging from 8 to 14. Utah's 2018 S.B. 65, "Child Neglect Amendments," is one state law in this area; Let Grow describes it as making clear that coming home alone isn't neglect by itself unless something else seriously wrong is going on. Read your own state's law or its child welfare agency's guidance before you decide.
FAQ
What age can a child stay home alone?
HealthyChildren.org says most children aren't mature enough to manage being alone regularly until about 10 or 11. Some states set a legal minimum age, from 8 to 14, so check your state's rule.
What does latchkey kid mean?
A school-age child of working parents who spends part of the day unsupervised, usually at home after school, per Merriam-Webster. The name refers to the key they carry to let themselves in.
Is leaving a child home alone legal?
It depends on the state and the circumstances. Some states set a minimum age, and Utah's 2018 S.B. 65 is an example of a law describing when coming home alone isn't neglect. Read your state's own rule.
Do It in Buhata
Household Notes and Reminders
Write the after-school rules, the check-in time and the neighbor to call in Household Notes in Buhata, and set a Reminder to text your child when school lets out.
Open BuhataRelated Terms and Categories
- Free-range parenting
A parenting approach, named by Lenore Skenazy, that gives children age-appropriate freedom to do things alone, like walking to school or playing outside unwatched.
- After-school program
Supervised care and activities for school-age children in the hours after the school day ends, often with homework help, enrichment, sports or clubs.
- After-school routine
The same set of steps a child follows between getting home from school and dinner, usually a snack, active play, some downtime and homework.
- Working parent
A parent who holds a paid job, full time or part time, while raising children.
Sources
Merriam-Webster, "Latchkey child"; Merriam-Webster, "Latchkey kid"; Merriam-Webster, "Latchkey"; HealthyChildren.org (AAP), "Is Your Child Ready to Stay Home Alone?"; HealthyChildren.org (AAP), "Child Care for Older Kids"; Utah Legislature, "S.B. 65 Child Neglect Amendments" (2018 General Session); Let Grow, "Let Grow Celebrates the Passage of the Utah Free Range Parenting Law"
- www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/latchkey%20child
- www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/latchkey%20kid
- www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/latchkey
- www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/at-home/Pages/is-your-child-ready-to-stay-home-alone.aspx
- www.healthychildren.org/English/family-life/work-and-child-care/Pages/child-care-for-older-kids.aspx
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