 |
Balancing
Work and Home
Home Alone Children
Every day thousands of children arrive home from school to an
empty house. Every week thousands of parents make decisions
to leave children home alone while they go to work, run errands,
or for social engagements. It is estimated over 40% of children
are left home at some time, though rarely overnight. In more
extreme situations, some children spend so much time without
their parent(s) that these children are labeled "latch
key children", referring to the house or apartment key
strung visibly around their neck.
The movie "Home Alone",
and its sequel, have portrayed a child's survival skills in
a very humorous, but unrealistic manner. The realities facing
children who find themselves home alone are very different.
There are many issues and potential risks and dangers that
parent(s) should consider before a child is placed in this
situation. Parent(s) should consider the following:
 |
Age readiness |
|
Definition of parental "rules
and expectations" |
|
How to access parent(s) or other
adults (e.g. phone numbers) |
|
Potentially unsafe situations
(e.g. medical emergencies, fire, alcohol, drugs, strangers,
guns, etc.) |
|
When and how to answer the phone
or doorbell |
|
Use of phone, 999 for emergencies |
|
Use of computer (internet) |
|
Friends and visitors coming
to the house |
|
Responsibilities for siblings |
|
Use of unstructured time (e.g.
watch TV, videos, etc.); and Access to "adult"
cable TV; internet chat rooms and adult web sites |
It is not possible to make a general
statement about when a child can be left home. Many states
have laws which hold parents responsible for the supervision
of their children. Older adolescents are usually responsible
enough to manage alone for limited periods of time. Parent(s)
must consider the child's level of maturity and past evidence
of responsible behavior and good judgement. When a child is
ready to be left alone, a graduated approach should be used
starting with a very short period of time (i.e.1 hour).
Parent(s) should talk with their
youngsters to prepare them for each of the issues or potential
problems listed above. In addition, parent(s) should strive
to make their home as safe as possible from obvious dangers
and hazards and rehearse the developed "emergency plan"
with their children. Parents should also teach their child
important safety precautions (i.e. locking the door, dealing
with strangers or visitors who come to the house, use of the
stove, etc.)
Being home alone can be a frightening
and potentially dangerous situation for many children and
adolescents. Parents should strive to limit the times when
children are home alone. Parents should prepare their children
in advance for how to deal with situations that may arise.
For additional information see Your
Child (1998 Harper Collins)/Your Adolescent (1999 Harper Collins).
The American Academy of Child and
Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) represents over 6900 child and
adolescent psychiatrists who are physicians with at least
five years of additional training beyond medical school in
general (adult) and child and adolescent psychiatry.
The Facts for Families© series
is developed and distributed by the American Academy of Child
and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP). Facts sheets may be reproduced
for personal or educational use without written permission,
but cannot be included in material presented for sale.
Copyright © 1997 by the American
Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.
|
|
