ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, February 20, 1997 TAG: 9702200005
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
COLUMN: the home front
SOURCE: NANCY TEMPLEMAN
"When is a child ready to stay home alone?" is a simple question. Answering it is not necessarily simple.
"The question covers so many variables. Each child matures at a different rate. Home and neighborhood situations vary. Many factors go into answering the question for a specific child," explains Rick Peterson, Virginia Cooperative Extension family and human development specialist at Virginia Tech.
According to Peterson, work done by Professor Victoria Fu of Virginia Tech's Department of Family and Child Development and her fellow faculty members can offer some help. They developed the Child Development Program portion of the Partners for Readiness Project, a joint venture between Virginia Tech, the U.S. Marine Corps and the Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Services of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The program came in response to the Marine Corps' initiative to improve the quality of life of Marine families.
"Parents need to sit down with each child and analyze their specific situation before deciding whether or not to allow a child to be home alone," Peterson says. "Dr. Fu's project is developing materials specific to Marine Corps situations. However, the project materials for children ages 10 to 14 in self-care (latchkey) situations can help all families facing the 'home alone' dilemma. The 'Staying Home Alone - Are You and Your Child Ready?' brochure guides parents and children through a series of questions to help them come up with the correct answer for each child."
Is the child ready? Has the child asked to stay home alone? Does the parent honestly believe the child is ready? Does the parent trust the child's ability to fend for himself or herself when alone? Does the child follow through with chores? Carry house keys without losing them?
Are the parents ready? Or are they anxious about leaving the child alone? Can they be easily reached by phone? Can they be available every day for a child's "check-in call"? If not, is there another adult who can be? Is there a nearby home where someone is available in an emergency?
Is the home ready? Are there dead-bolt locks on the doors? Locks on the windows? Do they all work easily? Is there a telephone? Is there a list of emergency numbers and instructions? Is there a window or a peephole so a child can see who is at the door without opening it? Are the electrical wiring and plugs safe? Are there working smoke/fire alarms? Is the heating and cooling system easy to operate? Are medicines and alcoholic beverages locked away? Are chemicals and poisons in the original containers and safely out of reach?
Is the neighborhood safe? Will the child be safe walking from school or the bus stop? Is it a long distance? Can the child walk it in any weather? Are there safety problems with other people (gangs, bullies), traffic, animals, the types of businesses, construction or other hazards? Is the neighborhood well-lighted? Are there well-marked safe places to get help if needed: block homes, stores, libraries, schools, etc.?
How long will the child be home alone? Will it be for half an hour while mom or dad runs to the store? For a couple of hours every day after school?
What time of day will it be? A sunny afternoon? A whole evening alone and going to bed in an empty house?
"These questions can help parents and children decide if staying home alone is safe for a specific child in a specific situation. A 10-year-old may be ready to stay alone for an hour on a Saturday morning, but not ready to take care of himself or herself and a younger brother or sister every afternoon for two hours before a parent comes home," says Peterson.
Nancy Templeman is with the Agriculture, Research and Extension Communications office at Virginia Tech.
LENGTH: Medium: 70 linesby CNB