School will be back in session in a couple of weeks and if only for a few minutes or a few hours, some parents will face the dilemma of theirchild and in some cases, children, being at home alone. Virginia doesn't state a minimum age requirement for staying home alone; instead, Virginia simply states that parent's are responsible for providing proper care and supervision for their children.The question is not the age of your child, but of your child's maturity and readiness. Are you and your child ready? When you and your child are ready, you may want to set up a trial period to see how it is working. This may be less threatening to a child who is uncomfortable. Parents can assess how well it seems to be going and change the arrangement if necessary. In making your decision, examine three areas: physical; intellectual; and social/emotional:
i.)* Physical: Can your child lock and unlock the doors and windows, use the telephone and operate appliances such as the microwave, toaster oven and stove top? Children need to be reasonably self-sufficient in your absence to stay home alone.
i.)* Intellectual: Your child must be able to read and take a written message; follow and give directions; and understand and describe house rules and safety/emergency procedures. Talk with your child about a situation in the past when he or she had to figure out the right thing to do without adult input -- basic problem-solving and decision-making skills are a must. Also, discuss in advance what to do in case of a power outage or tornado; how to take care of basic first aid in case of cuts and scrapes; and how to answer the phone and the door to make sure strangers aren't told the child is home alone.
i.)* Social/emotional: Children who are about to stay home alone should already be in the habit of following household rules and telling you about daily events without prompting. Take your cues from your child: Children who express interest in staying home alone and who feel confident in their ability to take care of themselves are likely ready; those who express feelings of fear, loneliness or uncertainty about staying home alone probably aren't.
i.)http://www.ag.ohio-state.edu/~news/story.php?id=5217(Sources: Carol Chandler, OSU Extension, Family and Consumer Sciences and Kara Newby, OSU Extension, Human Development and Family Science)
If you believe your child is ready to stay home alone, be sure to create a plan first. Establish house rules, make a list of emergency contacts and keep them by the phoneor if your child have a cell phone, input emergency numbersinto the phone's contacts list;establish a code word to use if you need to communicate with your child through another person, rehearsewith your child on how to respond to potential safety or emergency situations, such as an injury, fires, a burst water pipe or a stranger at the door.
While your child is home alone and needs to complete any household chores, establish them up front and be sure you're on the same page on how you want it completed. Discuss food and snacks and a list of creative activities (besides TV and video games) for things to do.
If you would like more information about this or any other opportunity that the Petersburg 4-H has to offer, please contact Sharon F. Mallory, Extension Agent, specializing in 4-H Youth Development with the Virginia Cooperative Extension-Petersburg Office, at 804-733-1880 or email smallory@vt.edu. You may also visit us on the web at http://offices.ext.vt.edu/petersburg/.
- Sharon Mallory is an Extension agent, specializing in 4-H Youth Development, with the Virginia Cooperative Extension Petersburg office.