Milwaukee Academy of Science

Latchkey Kids

Children at Home Alone After School
Making Sure Your Child is Ready

American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry: Home Alone Children

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, 911 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 site

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 judgment. 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.

Teach Your Children:

To memorize their name and address, including city and state.

To memorize their phone number, including area code.

To use both pushbutton and rotary dial telephones to make emergency, local, and long distance calls and to reach the operator.

To check in with your or a neighbor immediately after arriving home.

To never go into your home if a door is ajar or a window is broken.

How to work your home's door and window locks and lock them when they are at home alone.

How to answer the doorbell and telephone when they're home alone.

Not to go into anyone else's home without your permission.

To avoid walking or playing alone.

That a stranger is someone neither you nor they know well.

That if they feel they're being followed, either on foot or by a car, to run to the nearest public place, neighbor, or "Safe-House."

To tell you if anyone asks them to keep a secret, offers them gifts or money, or asks to take their picture.

To always tell you if something happened while they were away from you that made them feel uncomfortable in any way.

What Parents Can Do to Make a Difference:

Get involved. Let's exercise our own peer pressure as adults on other parents. If your job interferes with the level of your participation, get involved where you can. Lend your expertise to your PAT’s and School Administrators. Organize neighborhood groups to help your schools clean up their campuses. Donate and volunteer whatever you can, whenever you can. Pay attention to what your child tells you about their experiences at school. Report questionable circumstances to your principals. Intervene often and early when you're made aware of situations that may have negative outcomes. As parents we have to become proactive rather than reactive. Every effort makes a difference and together we can make a change.

Parent –Teacher Conference Discussion Topics and Questions:

Homework- Is my child’s homework completed thoroughly, accurately, and on time?

Class Participation-Does my child ask questions, volunteer answers, and participate in discussions?

Focus-Does my child pay attention in class?

Classroom Time Management-Does my child use class time wisely?

Organization-Does my child seem organized? Does he/she come to class prepared?

Tips for the Parents of Athletes:

Be Involved-Many coaches have preseason meetings for the parents of their athletes. These meetings are usually very informative, and they give parents an opportunity to meet the coaching staff and other parents.

Show good sportsmanship-School sporting events can be very exciting, and it’s easy for players and fans to get caught up in the action. As the parent of an athlete, you always need to set a good example. Avoid any kind of confrontation, and support the coaches and players at all times.

Helpful Parent Links:

www.parents.com
www.ptotoday.com
www.milwaukeemoms.com
www.parentsplace.com
www.fdathers.com
www.chadd.org
We Energies Warning

Internet Safety:

http://home.disney.go.com/guestservices/safety>
www.netsmartz.org/index.aspx

Contact Us:

Marcus Montgomery,

MS- Family Coordinator
414-933-0302 xt.1134
mmontgomery@milwaukeeacademyofscience.org