I'm in a similar position, here: coming from another country (Europe) where kids until 18 have the possibility (no obligation) to stay at their "secondary school" until 6.30pm to do (unsupervised) homeworks or other (paid) activities, it's strange for me to leave my 10 years-old DS alone at home from 3pm until 6pm. I trust him, he'll probably do just fine: a few times homeworks will not be done and he'll remember the pain to finish them at night ...

But 1) I don't trust the internet. How do you know what your DD/DS sees when you are not there? I don't mean to control what he sees, I just want a sure way to block unwanted content (porn, violence, sometimes just daily news) that he/she may not actively look for but pops up in ads, etc.?

And 2) I'm more worried about things that could happen when he's alone at home: fire, burglar, something falling, accident, injury, ... Do you ask your DD/DS to carry their phone at all times, fully charged? (you will tell me you are actually trying to *disconnect* them from their phone! ) The probability is very low. But once is enough to have regrets ...

Thanks for any thoughts on this too

Anonymous wrote:Perhaps have DC become a baby sitter twice a week? This teaches them responsibility and you don't have to worry about what they are doing. They can babysit someone else's kid but get paid for it. Meanwhile, you don't have to worry about them being in trouble. They can eat a snack, help out with homework, begin their own homework, eat a snack, etc.

The other three times a week put them in a club or some sort of enriching activity. Problem solved. I remember being in middle school. It was a time of free reign, testing boundaries and doing stuff I am ashamed to tell my parents even til this day.

Yuck. Most aren’t like you.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have 2 in middle schools and 1 in High School and here is the "after school procedure we have used since elementary school:

Get something to eat
do you chores
do you homework
Once chore and HW is complete they can use electronics.

When I get home I check HW for completion and accuracy and inspect chores. If either is not up to MY STANDARDS, electronics privileges will get revoked. Over the years I have revoked these privileges too many time to remember. But now its just part of their daily routine and they do it without me asking. Consistency is the key.

Sounds pleasant

Sounds like parenting to me.

Something most parents don’t do unfortunately.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have 2 in middle schools and 1 in High School and here is the "after school procedure we have used since elementary school:

Get something to eat
do you chores
do you homework
Once chore and HW is complete they can use electronics.

When I get home I check HW for completion and accuracy and inspect chores. If either is not up to MY STANDARDS, electronics privileges will get revoked. Over the years I have revoked these privileges too many time to remember. But now its just part of their daily routine and they do it without me asking. Consistency is the key.

Sounds pleasant

Sounds like instilling good habits and raising a responsible child imo.

It was never intended to be pleasant.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have 2 in middle schools and 1 in High School and here is the "after school procedure we have used since elementary school:

Get something to eat
do you chores
do you homework
Once chore and HW is complete they can use electronics.

When I get home I check HW for completion and accuracy and inspect chores. If either is not up to MY STANDARDS, electronics privileges will get revoked. Over the years I have revoked these privileges too many time to remember. But now its just part of their daily routine and they do it without me asking. Consistency is the key.

Sounds pleasant

Sounds like instilling good habits and raising a responsible child imo.

It was never intended to be pleasant.