Parent-Child Discussion Questions:

How do you think being home alone is working out? Is there anything you're worried about? What do you like best about it? What do you like least about it?

Is there anything you've been meaning to talk to me about, regarding being home alone?

Do you feel like you're able to stick to the House Rules? Do you understand the reasons behind each one? Do any of them seem unfair or unnecessary?

Ask your children some "drill" questions to see if they're still clear on what to do in certain situations. Here are some suggestions:

• You're at home alone and a stranger calls, asking to speak to mom or dad. What do you say?
  A good answer: Mom and dad are very busy. May I have your number so they can call you when they are free? (Children should never tell anyone that they're home alone.)

• A friend calls and asks you over, since his parents aren't home, either. What should you do?
  A good answer: I have a rule that I can't go anywhere without my parent's permission. Can we play tomorrow at school?

• You drop a glass and it breaks. What should you do?
  A good answer: Sweep up all the glass pieces with a broom and dustpan, making sure to get every little piece. Never use your fingers to pick it up. If any liquid was spilled, clean it up with a mop.

• Your younger brother/sister has a can of some cleaning product in his hand. You're not sure if he/she swallowed some. What do you do?
  A good answer: Call the poison control number, which should be kept handy. Follow their instructions exactly and call mom or dad so they can come home quickly.

• You're playing on the front lawn and a stranger drives by very slowly and tries to talk to you. What do you do?
  A good answer: Go quickly into the house and look through the window. If the car doesn't leave, call 911 and tell the operator exactly what you saw. Remember the color of the car and what the driver looked like and, if you can, the license plate number.

• A neighbor you don't know very well offers to take care of your little brother/sister for you if you will go to the store for them. They offer to give you some money. What do you do?
  A good answer: Tell the neighbor that your parents don't permit you to go to the store without their permission. Never break the rules that your parents make.

• When you get home from school, you don't have your key in your pocket. What should you do?
  A good answer: Go to a very familiar neighbor and ask if you can call your parents at work so they will know where you are.

• You smell smoke or the smoke alarm sounds. What should you do?
  A good answer: Call 9-1-1 and get out of the home. Wait for the fire trucks out front.

• The doorbell rings and a person says he has a delivery for your parents. What do you do?
  A good answer: Ask him to leave it on the front porch. Tell him your mother is busy and can't come to the door. If he says he needs a signature, tell him he'll have to come back later.

Is Your Child Ready Be Home Alone?

Ask yourself the following questions. If you say "No" to any of these questions your child may encounter adjustment problems and other arrangements may be needed.

• Is my attitude toward my child staying home alone positive?
• Is my child old enough to be left alone?
• Is my child mature enough, regardless of age, to handle the responsibility of self care?
• Has my child been adequately prepared for the basics of self-care?
• Does my family live in a safe neighborhood where crime is low and community cohesion is high?
• Will my neighborhood resources contacts come through in a pinch?