Know the Rules...For Children Who Are Home Alone

In today’s busy society many children are caring for themselves before or after school and at other times of the year.1Although the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends adult supervision for children until about the age of 11 or 12, for many families this isn’t possible. When faced with this situation, maturity should be the determining factor in whether a child should be left alone.2

There are a number of important points families should consider prior to allowing their children to be self-supervised . Parents and guardians need to assess their children. Does he or she have the personality, self-confidence, and judgment skills to accept this responsibility? Will the experience be positive and help build and enhance the child’s self-image, or will the experience promote additional anxiety in the child who may be afraid to stay alone?

Having a family conference to discuss the arrangement is a good place to start. House rules, expectations of each family member, and a daily routine should be defined. At the end of the day, parents and guardians may also use the experience to have regular family meetings to help ensure the arrangement is still working and identify any alterations needing to be made. Here are some steps your family may take to help ensure a positive after-school experience.  Know the Rules...For Children Who Are Home Alone