Is your child old enough to stay home alone?

Your school-age child may have the summer off from school, but most likely you don't have the same time off work. That begs the question: Is your child old enough to stay home alone? A lot depends on the age and maturity of your child and how long your child will be left home alone. After all, a quick dash to the convenience store is one thing; having your child stay home alone every day while you work is quite another.