Is your Child ready to Stay Home Alone?

Is there a magical age when children are old enough to stay home alone? No! Children mature at different ages so each one reaches the point of being responsible enough to be home alone at a different age.

Here are some questions to determine if your child is old enough stay home alone.

How long will my child be alone? When?

Most children of this age are capable of staying home alone between arriving home from school and supper time or while you run to the grocery store, but may be afraid to stay alone for long periods at night. Consider how long you will be gone and what time of day.

Is there an adult nearby my child can go to in emergencies?

Is there a neighbor who can answer questions or lend a helping hand if your child needs it? Can your child count on your neighbor if she is fearful for any reason?

Does my child know what to do in case of emergencies?

Discuss fire safety, using a fire extinguisher, and exiting the house; how to call for an ambulance or the police and how to contact you at work. Have practice drills for exiting the house and calling for help in case of a fire. Remember to crawl to stay below the smoke, and stop, drop and roll in case clothing catches on fire.

Are there siblings involved?

Not all children who are ready to spend short amounts of time home alone are ready for the responsibility of looking after siblings. Enroll your child in a baby-sitting course offered by the Red Cross or YMCA where your child will learn about child development and learn first aid basics.

If your child is going to stay alone, sit down and discuss things first.

Make expectations clear

Let your child know what you expect ahead of time. Is he allowed to have friends over if you are not home? Use the phone? Make his own snack? Watch TV?

Make a list of things you expect your child to do

Do you want your child to complete household tasks? Homework? Start a simple supper? Make a chart or list to show your child what he should do with his time and in what order.

Leave a list of phone numbers

Make sure your child has your work and cell phone numbers and the number of one of your friends in case he needs help.

There is no magical age when a child is mature enough to be left alone at home. If your child knows what to do in case of an emergency, is responsible in completing tasks, and if there is an adult nearby who can help in case of an emergency, you may want to try a trial period of leaving your child home by himself. Start with an hour or two while you run errands or immediately after school. If your child is not ready, you can try it again in few months. Staying alone is an important step in your preteens growing independence. Pray for wisdom in knowing when your child is ready for it.

Alternative to staying alone after school:

YMCA or church related programs.

Sports programs.

After school care at the school.

Drop in care at a local day care.

Older neighbor child supervises your child.

Trade babysitting time with a neighbor.

A relative stays with your child or takes child to her home.

Katrina Cassel, M.Ed., lives with her husband, five of their children, and an assortment of pets. She is the author of five books including The Junior High Survival Guide (Concordia Publishing House)