Low-income children generally are not in a position to entertain and may not have a telephone at home. Well supervised after-school programs such as elementary latchkey child care programs may be one way to go. B., University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology . Some parents have no other option but to leave their children home alone for a few hours after school.
Rules are especially important during the time kids are alone.
Don't make rules about every little thing. Make rules only for the really important things. Make rules clear. Write them down and post them in the kids' rooms and in the kitchen. Assign only needed chores and limits.