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Parenting & Advice General Parenting & Advice How to Prepare Your Children to Stay Alone at Home
Parenting & Advice General Parenting & Advice How to Prepare Your Children to Stay Alone at Home
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How to Prepare Your Children to Stay Alone at Home |
| Written by Bill Hanks |
No parent likes the idea of leaving their child alone at home. However, circumstances often allow for a child to be home alone. As a former teacher, I had many students that would have to be alone at home at times. As a former health teacher, I tried to cover home alone scenarios, with my students. This article provides some suggestions for parents that will assist in the event they must leave their children alone at home. It is generally understood that no child under the age of 12 should be left alone at any time. This rule is often challenged because of the maturity of the child. There is a fine line when a parent makes this decision. Before The Parent Leaves A serious conversation needs to take place before the big day arrives. This conversation should include ground rules for the home, first aid instruction and emergency procedures. Explain how this can build your confidence in them by a display of their maturity. If the child has any concerns, listen closely and try to answer their questions honestly. Remember this is new territory for a child, too. Some children might have major concerns, while others are just happy to have the opportunity at this new bit of freedom. Ground Rules: These rules include but are not confined to cooking food, leaving the house, entertaining friends, use of the phone, computer and television. The other rules could be a set bed time, pet care and home chores. Ground rules are a great idea to instill responsibility in a child. If a child arrives to an empty house, there needs to be a check in call to a family member, neighbor or friend. This call can be made by any of the parties involved, including the parent at work or away. First aid classes can be taken at your local hospital, YMCA, fire or police department. Some of these organizations might even have classes for alone alone children. Children old enough to be home alone are mature enough for these classes. After the Parent Leaves Keeping your child busy is important. They can do their homework, chores, hobbies or other projects. Leave them plenty to do, even though they might not finish it. Make sure that you have special phone numbers written down and to who they are for. Numbers like the parents work phone, grandparents, fire and police department and good neighbors. A list by each phone is recommended. Caller ID on a phone is also a good idea. This way a child can ignore numbers and names they do not know. House security is also important. Latch keys should be hidden. Doors are locked once a child arrives home. Serious discussion on how to handle strangers is very important. Rehearsal and role playing of this is a good idea. On Returning Home Try not to be too judgmental. Always go over how the experience went with the child. Try to resolve any conflicts without expressing anger. Keep in mind, that this is a new experience for your child. The first few times is a trial and error event. Always praise the child when you can. This helps to build confidence in the child .
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