The Oprah Winfrey Show

Children Left Home Alone

When should children be left home alone, date, and have sex?
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"In this country, more than eight million children…don't let that just be a number in your head—think of it as eight million little lives…from the ages of five to 14 are regularly left home alone" — Oprah


Tragic true stories about children taking care of themselves.
How Young Is Too Young?
In this country, more than eight million children from ages five to 14 years old are regularly left home alone. Parents make difficult choices, sometimes with deadly consequences.

Unsupervised children and teens experiment.
Sex, Dating and Thong Underwear
At school, in the movies, even on the back of the bus. If your 12-year-old isn't having sex, he or she probably has friends who are. Parents and children share their stories.

Advice for parents on how to talk openly about sex with kids.How to Have "The Talk"
It's the talk every parent dreads and every teen secretly wants to have. Author Jessica Weiner offers some words of wisdom.


Related Resources


A Very Hungry Girl by Jessica Weiner
Join the Oprah.com Community Discussions
Parents of Teens
Parents of Grade Schoolers


TALK WITH OTHERS
Adolescence is hard and I think we expect to much from our children this age. They are still very young and there is great tempation for things that could hurt them.
— gail566

RELATED LINKS
Is your child leading a double life?
Dr. Phil: How to talk to teens about oral sex.
Should your child drive, date, or drink?