Preparing a child to stay home alone (1115)

If you think your child is ready to stay home alone, you should prepare him to be on his own. Children who stay home alone need some basic knowledge and skills. Make sure your child knows:

1. Important names and telephone numbers for home and for your workplace. Your child also should know the phone number of a nearby relative or neighbor and the all-purpose 911 help-line. Keep numbers by the telephone.

2. Your schedule, as well as how to tell time.

3. How to use the telephone. Your child needs to know how to make a telephone call, answer a call, and write messages.

4. How to keep track of her keys and know how to lock and unlock doors easily.

5. Know which appliances you have approved for his use while home alone and how to operate them safely.

6. Where does she go for help? Your child needs an adult who lives or works nearby who will help in case of an emergency or lost key. When preparing your child, make directions clear and simple. Explain one thing at a time and talk slowly. Then write the instructions on paper, and post them in a prominent place.

Stage a few practice runs to make sure your child understands the knowledge and skills he will need. Go over this information regularly; a good time for review is on Sunday, before the weekly routine begins.

Talk about safety; prepare your child to be safe every day, and in an emergency. Assure your child that emergencies are rare, but that everyone needs to know what to do just in case there's trouble.

Everyday safety your child should know:

1. How to come home safely. Children should always walk home from school along well-traveled routes that have been approved by their parents. They should let themselves into their home quickly and lock the door behind them. If a stranger follows your child, or if your home shows signs of a break-in, such as a door that is ajar or a broken window, your child should go directly to a neighbor's home or nearby store.

2. How to check in. Once home, your child should telephone you or a special adult who lives or works nearby to report that she is safe.

3. How to answer the telephone. Children home alone should tell callers, "My mom is busy right now. May I take a message?" They should not tell callers that their parents are not home.

4. What to do if someone comes to the door. Children should use a peep hole to see who is at the door. They should only allow in those whom a parent has specified.

In an emergency, your child should know what to do, whether there's a fire, an injury, or bad weather.

Work together to establish house rules. After your child understands safety, you should develop reasonable house rules. Having your child help you plan these rules will go a long way toward ensuring that the rules are remembered and followed.

Most parents make rules about several things, including visitors, boundaries, telephone use and siblings. Each child who stays home without an adult needs to understand and follow the rules. Household chores should be divided in advance so that each child knows what to do.

There are other ways parents can help their children to adjust to self-care. Books from the library may help. It's wise to set up a trial period to see how your child adjusts. This will give both of you a chance to end the arrangement if either of you are uncomfortable.

For more information on this subject, Please visit the College of Agricultural Sciences Publications Web site.

Feel free to forward, post or reprint any of the "Solutions" in their entirely, but please credit http://www.solutions.psu.edu/ as the original source of information, and please do not change the content.