Latchkey kid: Can I ask 10 year old to text me when he gets on the bus or home?

[Anonymous]

We are new to this latch key situation. 10 year old has a key and walks to and from the bus stop while I am at or on my way to work. Will be home alone 1 hour after school. Is it OK to ask my kid to text me once he has gotten on the bus in the morning and when he gets home at night? Since I am leaving for work when he leaves the house for school, I need to know immediately if he has missed the bus so I can circle back to drive him. There are no other neighbors home to drive him, etc. Having the text helps me relax and feel free to stay a little longer at work, run and errand etc. It helps if I know he is safely home or on the bus. How will this go over with the other kids on the bus in middle school? Someone posted previously they feel sorry for kids who have to text their parents when they get on the bus. This never occurred to me. The texting seems so practical and helpful. Thank you.

[Anonymous]

Of course you can. How odd you are worried what other kids or the parents would think.

[Anonymous]

Yes, of course you can. You can even have him call you.
I was a latchkey kid and I had to call my mom every day when I got home from school.

[Anonymous]

This is your child. You can require whatever works for you. I will warn you, though, at that age they may forget. My kids call me when they get home. It's a good habit.

[Anonymous]

No one has to know he's texting you--it could be anyone.

[Anonymous]

Get an app called "Find Friends" and put it on his phone. You can track where he is anytime. My family has it on our phones and it makes everything lots easier!

[Anonymous]

I can track my 12 yo kid with the Find My Iphone app.

[Anonymous]

Yes, of course. My kids are in MS and they text me. Don't worry about what others think, especially other parents.

[Anonymous]

I make my 13 yo do this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, of course. My kids are in MS and they text me. Don't worry about what others think, especially other parents.

PP again, they will forget to text occasionally, in which case I shoot them a text or call. Peace of mind is everything!

[Anonymous]

he's only 10? First off, that's pretty young to be latchkey. Second, calling/texting is the low bar here. Yes, he must do this.

[Anonymous]

I have a co-worker who does this. she started face timing him to be sure he says is where he is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:he's only 10? First off, that's pretty young to be latchkey. Second, calling/texting is the low bar here. Yes, he must do this.

Nope, 10 is fine for latchkey. I was a latchkey kid at 7, and had no issues.

[Anonymous]

It's fine.

[Anonymous]

I have my 12-year-old call me from the house after she walks home from school. Will do the same next year when she will be taking the bus and walking home from the bus stop. She doesn't have her own phone yet but we may do that over the summer.