Posted on: 07.03.2016.
Author: Ana G
Being able to leave your older child home alone for a certain period of time gives you both some independence. You can go to an appointment or run an errand and your child can learn how to do self-care and be responsible. It is important to decide when it is the best time to leave your child home alone so that you do not have to make such a decision during a time of stress or in an emergency situation. It is also important to discuss this increase in responsibility with your child and present it as a way of teaching him or her helpful lessons about growing up.
For many parents, it can be challenging to leave a child home alone for the first time. The first part of making the decision should be an evaluation of your child's maturity level. The decision should not be based only on age, because some children mature more quickly than others. As you think about whether or not your child is ready to stay home alone, you should ask yourself some questions that can help you make the decision. You should consider whether your child is physically and mentally able to care for himself or herself. Another fact that should be taken into consideration is the ability of the child to obey rules and make good decisions. This is critical to your child's safety in the absence of adult supervision. You may also want to ask yourself about your child’s ability to respond to unfamiliar or stressful situations. If your child is confronted with a new situation while home alone, such as a power outage, how would he or she react? If your child tries to make microwave popcorn and the bag catches fire, would he or she know what to do? Would your child get upset and shut down due to stress or embarrassment? Finally, ask yourself if your child feels comfortable or fearful about being home alone. A self-confident child may feel comfortable being at home for some time while you run short errands, while a fearful child might imagine scary scenarios that could happen while you are away.
After determining that a child is ready to be left home alone, there are certain ways both of you can prepare for this occasion. You should teach your child several important lessons before the first time he or she is allowed to stay home alone. These lessons may help your child to feel more confident about spending some time home alone. Spending this time with your child preparing him or her for the increased responsibility can also help you feel more comfortable with helping your child gain some independence.
Everyone in the family should know what to do in case of a fire. First, make sure that your home is outfitted with smoke detectors and test them every six months. Let your child listen to the sound that the alarm makes when it sounds. Have a fire drill and practice different escape routes from each part of their house. Walk through your home with your child and have him or her describe two ways to exit each room. It may be best to prohibit your child from using the stove while you are away from home, as this is the safest way to prevent a grease or cooking fire. Show your child how to use the microwave instead, and offer some fun snacks like popcorn or nachos that are easy to prepare in the microwave. Keep all matches, lighters and other flammable products locked in a cabinet that your child cannot access. Teach your child to stop, drop and roll on the ground to put out the flames in case their clothes catch on fire. Keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen, garage and basement of your home. Show your child how to use it and explain when it should be used.
Every family would benefit from having an emergency plan and going over the plan together on a regular basis. A good timeline is to review the family emergency plan every 3 months, such as when the seasons change. Place emergency phone numbers by the phone along with any other important information your child should know. Practice using the phone and go over what your child should say in different types of emergencies. Make sure that your child knows important information such as your street address and zip code. Your child should also be able to give emergency responders a description of your house, such as, "The house is two stories tall with white siding and red shutters, and a big maple tree in the front." Your child should also know where you are and how to contact you at any time in case of an emergency. Finally, a good idea is to role play realistic scenarios with your child, such as a burglar trying to get inside or falling down the stairs and getting hurt.
While most parents explain "stranger danger" as it relates to being outside at the bus stop or park and being approached by a stranger, you may not have explained what to do if a stranger knocks at the door or tries to look in through your home's windows. Have your child practice answering the telephone and teach him or her how to respond if someone calls and there is no adult present. Explain that your child should never tell anyone on the phone that he or she is home alone. You might also tell your child to simply not answer the phone unless your name shows up on the caller ID. Make sure that your child knows how to lock and unlock the doors and windows and how to check who is at the door without opening it. Explain how to avoid strangers when coming home from school, and what your child should do if someone is following him or her. Offer your child guidance on what to do if he or she hears someone trying to break into the home while you are not there.
Keep a well-stocked first aid kit in a handy location in your home, such as in the kitchen. Go over contents of the first aid kit with your child and explain what it is used for and teach him or her how to use it. Let the child handle the items and use them in imaginary scenarios. Teach your child some basic first aid procedures, such as hot to stop a cut from bleeding or how to care for a minor burn. Show him or her how to apply pressure to a wound by covering it with a gauze pad until the bleeding stops. Make sure any dangerous medication is stored out of the reach of your child. As an additional safety precaution, you might also consider enrolling your child in a first aid class.
You and your child should agree on what can and cannot be done when you are not home. Set rules around issues such as eating snacks, watching TV, playing on the computer, doing homework or having friends over to visit. Giving your child a list of chores to do is a good way to keep him or her busy while you are gone. It will also help him or her not to think about being home alone. In case the child gets bored or afraid easily, guide him or her on how to react and what to do in those situations. Your child should also know what to do if he or she gets locked out or has an argument with his or her siblings.
The decision to leave a child home alone can be a difficult task to handle and requires careful planning and timing. Along with assessing the child’s ability to be left at home unsupervised, it is necessary to prepare your child for different circumstances and emergencies. Teaching your child these important safety and behavior lessons in advance of their first time home alone can help both of you feel more confident about the upcoming opportunity. These life lessons will stick with your child and help him or her respond well in future life situations as an adult.
