>Parents who are rejoining the workforce can't take 4-6 weeks of with no notice to babysit their kids again... Why do you need a babysitter for a school-aged c

>Parents who are rejoining the workforce can't take 4-6 weeks of with no notice to babysit their kids again... Why do you need a babysitter for a school-aged child? OK, maybe if the kid is below 7, but 7 and up should be more than capable of being alone at home. Entire nations do exactly that. In Estonia 7 year olds are expected to go to school on their own and come back home. At home they will likely be alone (or with their siblings) until their parents get home from work.