Tips for Leaving Older Children Home Alone

It’s natural for parents to worry when first leaving kids without supervision. But you can feel prepared and confident with some planning and a couple of trial runs. And handled well, staying home alone can be a positive experience for kids too, giving them a sense of self-confidence and independence. Cover your bases and relax. With the right preparation and some practice, you and your child will get comfortable with home-alone days in no time!

Before You Leave

1. Schedule a time to get in touch. Set up a time for checking in. Make sure your child understands when you’re available and when you may not be able to answer a call.
2. Set ground rules. Set special rules for when you’re away and make sure that your child knows and understands them. Consider rules about having people over, TV or internet rules, kitchen cooking, etc.
3. Stock up and prepare. Make sure your home has goods and emergency supplies. Leave flashlights handy in case of a power outage and post important phone numbers in case of emergency. Consider hiding an extra key outside in case they get locked out. Give them a list of friends or family they can call or things they can do if they get lonely.
4. Childproof your home. Secure anything that could be a health safety or risk. Lock up all medicines, alcohol, and weapons. Make sure they know basic safety like not to put cords near water or put metal in the microwave.
5. Discuss and practice. Make sure to regularly discuss or practice emergency scenarios- ask what your child would do if, for example, he or she smelled smoke, a stranger knocked at the door, or someone called for you while you’re gone.

Make a “Practice Run”

Even if you’re confident about your child’s maturity, it’s wise to make some practice runs, or home-alone trials, before the big day. Let your child stay home alone for 30 minutes to an hour while you remain nearby and easily reachable. When you return, discuss how it went and talk about things that you might want to change or skills that your child might need to learn for the next time.

Checklist for Leaving Older Children Home Alone

Is your child able to do the following for themselves?

Physically

• Do self-care tasks, such as making a sandwich, dialing the phone, and writing a message?
• Lock and unlock doors and windows?

Mentally

• Understand clearly what “stranger” and “emergency” mean?
• Recognize danger and know when to get help?
• Consider how their actions affect others?

Socially

• Solve conflicts with brothers and sisters with little help from adults?
• Talk easily to you about what happens at school and about their feelings?
• Feel confident enough to contact a trusted adult if a problem arises?

Emotionally

• Feel confident and secure when you leave?
• Seem willing to stay alone for short periods? For longer periods?
• Know how to handle fear, loneliness, or boredom?
• Know how to handle responsibility such as getting to school on time?

Knows.

• Where flashlights and first aid kits are located?
• Who to call and where to go if there is a problem?
• How to operate security systems and locks?
• Safe ways to answer the phone and door?
• How to exit the house if there is a fire?
• A phone list of people they know and can call if you can’t be reached?
• House rules?
• Appropriate and fun activities they can do while home alone?
• When and how to call 911 and what address information to give the dispatcher?
• What to do if a smoke alarm goes off?
• What to do if there is a power outage?
• What to do if there are injuries to themselves, others, or a pet?

Finally, if your child is not ready to be home alone, contact the Care About Childcare office by calling 435-797-1552 to find an appropriate provider.

Additional resources can be found at: careaboutchildcare.utah.gov.