Preparing child to be home alone

[Anonymous]

This thread has gotten weird.

PPs advice re: trial runs, starting at 30 minutes, and then lengthening are good.

Make sure all numbers are easily accessible.

Just do not answer or even go to the door.

Lists of short chores is good.

Teaching how to handle the overflowing toilet and main water valve are also good.

[Anonymous]

My 9 and 11 year olds don't eat or cook while I'm gone, but I've never left them for more than a half hour. Starting this year they will both be alone together for up to an hour.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am shocked your 12 year old has never been alone for a few hours.

Our 11 yo has been home alone for an hour or so every so often. I still don't like it, however, but she does.

She doesn't answer the door. She keeps her phone by her side, and she doesn't answer the phone unless it's a number she recognizes.

[Anonymous]

I'm 33 I don't open my door to anyone unless I'm checking them. Ring away strangers I won't answer.

Tell her not to answer or even go near the door.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do not answer the door. Your 12 year old is not old enough to negotiate that experience and your focus should be on her needs and her ability to handle the experience, not on some imaginary scenario in which burglars might be "casing the joint," which is so remote and unlikely as to be ridiculous.

Run through what she will do with her time. I would say no cooking, no stove use. Have her plan to do homework, watch tv, use the computer, some such thing.

Great ideas.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Tell her not to take a shower while you're out. Most home injuries happen in the kitchen and bathroom.

Agree with others about not answering the door. Also, when my now 12 yr old began staying home alone I always have her things to get done while I was gone.

And, no cooking on the stove!

Does she know where the main water shut off valve is? Or, how to stop an overflowing toilet? I began babysitting at 12 and my parents made me learn these two things...

Everyone should know these things, even if they don't stay home alone. They should also know how to turn off the electricity to the house.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am shocked your 12 year old has never been alone for a few hours.

Can you just be kind?