Radio Commentary
In most households, summertime
means a change of schedule from the usual routine. When children are involved,
this change can get tricky to navigate, because children tend to be creatures
of habit.
Here
are some suggestions to help make the transition as smooth as possible:
If children will
be home alone for a while, discuss your expectations and household rules. Tell
children what they can do, what they can’t do, and when they can do it.
Be very specific
and try to cover as many contingencies as possible.
Stage a practice
run before you leave children alone. Let them rehearse the routine while you’re
away but nearby.
They can call you
if they run into any snags and you can help show them how the situation should
be handled in the future.
Make sure
your children know that you trust them and that letting them stay alone is
helping them become even more responsible. But be sure to warn them that if
they can’t follow the rules, they will lose the privilege of caring for
themselves.
Post the rules on
the refrigerator door where they will be easily accessible.
As an example,
many families allow snacking but no cooking. Children should not be allowed to
have visitors except for those you have approved in advance.
Rules of
this sort protect your children’s safety and give them a sense of importance
and responsibility for their own actions. It’s never too early to start on that
important road.
