Tips on staying home alone
You are old enough now and your parents think you are responsible enough to go home after school and stay there until they come home from work.
You have to show them that they did not make a mistake in trusting you to do so so you will be in charge of yourself - you must make sure you eat and get your homework done and still follow the rules and stay safe. There is nobody checking up on you, so you are doing it for yourself.
You will think that being 'home alone' is going to be very exciting and you can do whatever you want, but there are still some rules and now is the time to show that you a responsible child.
Sit down and speak to your parents about what they expect from you. What must be done when they get home and also talk about safety for yourself and make sure you have all the numbers you can phone in case of an emergency.
Your parents will expect you to phone them once you get home. You will feel they are not trusting you, but that is not the case. Parents worry about their kids and when you are not home at a certain time, they can look for you, not wait until they get home to an empty house at night.
Discuss the rules on watching TV or playing games and if they expect you to do your homework when you get home, or are you old enough to do your homework when it suits you.
Also find out if there are any chores they would like you to do like start dinner or set the table or clean the swimming pool.
If it will make it easier for you to remember all the thing you need to do, set a timetable for yourself that you will know when you need to do what after getting home. Once you have done it all you are then free to do what you like.
Being home alone can be fun, but it can also be very lonely. You will have to learn to be fine with being in your own company. You cannot have friends over every afternoon, because you have schoolwork to complete.
Once you are done with your homework and chores find something that keeps you busy and happy while waiting for your parents to come home.
It is not only important to stick to the rules that your parents have set, but it is also important that you stay safe while alone.
If you hear strange noises outside, do not go and investigate - rather phone someone to come and have a look. Also make sure that you lock all doors and gates while you are alone at home.
Compile a list of numbers that you will need in case of an emergency. Make sure your cellphone is charged if your parents are looking for you or you need to phone. If your parents send you a message, answer it so that they know you are okay.
Do not tell people that you stay alone at home and when you get home and you see a smashed window or door, do not go into the house, rather go to the neighbors or phone the police to come and investigate.
Not everybody is made or ready to stay at home alone. So if you feel very scared or anxious every time you have to go home after school, speak to your parents and let them know how you feel. They can maybe look at an alternative like letting you stay at the after school center or let a neighbor watch you. Do not feel ashamed if you are scared or not ready to be by yourself. There is noting wrong with you, you will just need some more time to get ready. It is better to let your parents know than sitting at home every afternoon, so scared that you cannot get anything done.
If you like being home alone, enjoy it, but remember, first of all be safe and secondly make sure that you honor your responsibilities. If your parents get home at night and you have not done anything they asked you, they will decide that you can not be trusted alone and you will be staying at someone else's house before you know it.
It may not seem important to you, but having your parent's trust is a big thing and once you loose it, you will have to work very hard to gain it again, so be responsible, do the right thing, even if it is not always something you like.
You can get some more tips here.
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