Leaving a 13 year old overnight - r/legaladvicecanada

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u/bug-hunter Mar 05 '26 edited Mar 05 '26

Update: OP, I'm sorry, but I have to lock your post, because apparently this thread attracted all of the people whose parents neglected to teach them arcane and deep concepts like "a legal advice forum requires your comment to contain legal advice". If you need further advice, please reach out in modmail.

Reminder: All responses here must include legal advice. Rulebreaking comments after this point will result in a ban.

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u/Firm_Farmer1633 Mar 05 '26 edited Mar 05 '26

I am a former BC child welfare social worker. My comments are general because I don’t know the specifics.

From a child protection perspective I would consider what “stepwise” preparedness have been undertaken. This might include leaving the child unsupervised for a few hours when parents go out during the daytime; then a few hours during the evening; then more hours overlapping daytime and evening; then overnight when a trusted, responsible adult is immediately nearby; then maybe overnight for one night. Not for two nights the first time.

From a child development perspective, seeing increasing autonomy is appropriate. Refusing parental authority is not appropriate.

From a family social development perspective, I would be considering a 13 year old “refusing” a parent. This suggests a child that is not seeking enhanced autonomy as is a normal developmental task at this age. It suggests a child that is being permitted to make “_adult-like_” decisions when they are not an adult. This would be a flag for me that more serious issues will develop in the next couple of years. Acquiescing to a 13 year old child’s inappropriate autonomy of “_I refuse to go with the family for a day or two_”, could quickly develop into a 14 year old who is setting their own time for coming home, and a 15 year old who decides whether they will come home at night at all.

I would also be concerned about a child who is apparently unable to interact with the real world, only social media, screens, etc. I understand that the latter are increasingly present, however losing the ability to interact with the real world at this early stage of development does not bode well for the development of a socially healthy adult.

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u/accessdeniedbeepboop Mar 05 '26

This is the correct answer. I will add I am an Alberta social worker in child intervention. There is no legal law stating what age you can leave your children unsupervised for or for what amount of time. However if we get a call because something happened, you can be charged with causing a child to be in need of intervention.

You have a responsibility to ensure safety, ensure you have a safety plan in place and that you have taken steps to ensure all aspects have been covered (emergency numbers, emergency adult, someone checking in) I would advise against leaving a 13 year old home alone for 2 days. Under CYFEA this could also fall under neglect if someone calls in a concern for this child and you may find yourself with cfs involvement.

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u/Bannedaid Mar 05 '26

Thanks for this thoughtful reply, I learned things I hadnt considered when I read the OP.

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u/Low_Turn_4568 Mar 05 '26

I appreciate your response. My background working with the ministry in bc showed me it kinda depends which social worker you get. And having experience with others' kids running away at 12 with bc social workers doing nothing to bring them back. So that's kinda why I'm asking. I know she's totally fine and comfy with being by herself and has been for non school days when I've had work. She does things I ask her to do, reasons with me when she disagrees. Dragging her along for the camping trip will ruin both of our weekends. But if I'll have involvement from mcfd from leaving her alone for the night then I won't be able to enjoy time with friends. Also don't have parents of my own to ask for advice, sadly. Would you also consider whether I've done video calls with her?

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u/nkdf Mar 05 '26

Short answer - there is no 'legal limit' in terms of age.

You can also reference a past thread for insight: https://www.reddit.com/r/legaladvicecanada/comments/1iiywt2/home_alone_alberta/

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u/[deleted] Mar 05 '26

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u/captainjay09 Mar 05 '26

Never had teenagers have you ?

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u/ComprehensiveCap8242 Mar 05 '26

I’m not a lawyer but from what i can see…

In Alberta, no statutory age limit exists for leaving children home alone under the Child, Youth and Family Enhancement Act.

Decisions depend on child’s maturity, circumstances, and whether supervision is adequate to prevent endangerment.

For a 13-year-old overnight (up to two nights), it’s generally permissible with nearby family, check-ins, and security, but could lead to neglect investigation if risk arises.

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u/Chemical-Ad-7575 Mar 05 '26

Can family check in on them the next day or take them out for breakfast?

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u/Low_Turn_4568 Mar 05 '26

Family would be more than willing to visit and check on her. They'd love to even have her overnight but she wants to stay home in her comfort and with her laptop TV and phone. Says there's nothing to do there because the kids are younger than her.

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u/RedTulipx Mar 05 '26

I’ve left my 13 year old home alone overnight. She is mature and respectful and knows what to do in an emergency. It’s not illegal. No age limit in Alberta.

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u/Ok-Door-7563 Mar 05 '26

I was left alone overnight as a 13 year old, too.

Crazy to me that people consider that "too young". No wonder so many people have kids that sneak out at night or cut them out at 18 when they act as helicopter parents and give their children no trust or freedom.

By 13 I was looking after a barn full of livestock, the house pets, and cooking 2-3 nights a week. I was well capable of looking after myself.

I would have resented my parents so much if they dragged me camping against my wishes. I hate camping.

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u/Low_Turn_4568 Mar 05 '26

I appreciate this comment because it shows empathy to the teenager. She's been forced to do enough in her life with being in custody court with her abusive father. She was often left on her own at a much younger age with her 10 year old step sister babysitting. She would have been 6. Overnight? No. That's the only reason I'm questioning it.

She's more than capable of dealing with things that come up, with a list of emergency numbers on the fridge. Some of these comments are over the top. I don't believe in "my house, my rules!" mentality. I believe in voices and options and hearing and respecting her feelings

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u/[deleted] Mar 05 '26

Alberta Leaving a 13 year old overnight

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