You are asking your child to take on adult responsibilities and make adult decisions. As a parent, it is ultimately your responsibility to ensure the proper arrangement are made for your children. This information is NOT a substitute for parental responsibilities, but are recommended guidelines designed to better prepare your child, your family, and your home for self-care. Determining whether a child and your family are ready for self-care is a difficult first step. Here are some things to consider before leaving your child home alone.
Children develop at different rates.
One child may be able to care for him or herself, while another of the same age may need supervision. Look at your child s past performance in carrying out responsibilities as an indicator. Some children feel proud that their parents trust them to be alone, but others feel deserted. Some children are capable of being home alone for longer periods of time than others. Start by leaving your child for a short period of time, talk to them about how it went, and gradually work up to longer periods of time.