• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Because dads don’t always think like moms™

  • Dad
    • Celebrities
    • Gay Dads
    • Sex
    • Single Dads
  • Pregnancy
    • Labor or Delivery
    • Pregnant Wife
  • Baby
    • Baby Naming
    • Feeding
    • Sleep
    • Toilet Training
  • Kids
  • Teens
  • Activities
    • Local
    • By Age
    • Movie Reviews
    • Celebrations
  • Toys
    • We Recommend
    • Toys
  • Coaching for Dads
  • Great Dad Talks Podcast

Tips for leaving the kids home alone

December 11, 2012 by GreatDad Writers Leave a Comment

As a dad, leaving the kids home alone can be scary. Whether you're going away for a business trip or just can't be there to pick your children up from school every day, you may be wondering if your flesh and blood are ready to be home without parental supervision. While it's a good idea to wait until they've reached age 12 or 13, here are a few tips on letting your children have the run of the house.

Make sure they're ready
Some older children can be immature, while younger ones can act like they're halfway to middle age. Before you give your kids the OK to stay home alone, make sure they're mature enough to handle the responsibilities. Indicators like whether they can follow rules, perform well in school, make good personal choices, stay calm under pressure and their overall personalities should factor into your decision.

Go over emergency procedures
Accidents can happen, and it pays for your children to be prepared when you're not around. Go over emergency basics like knowing when to dial 911, handling a stranger at the door asking to come inside, using home appliances safely and operating security systems.

Stay in contact
Just because your kids are home alone doesn't mean they need to be completely unsupervised. Let them know where and how they can reach you by phone. You may also want to check in periodically to make sure everything is going alright. Additionally, consider asking a nearby friend or neighbor to keep an eye on the house and be available in case of an emergency.

 

Filed Under: Dad

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
SIGN-UP TODAY to receive the only baby newsletter written by dads, for dads. Act now and receive a free copy of the popular GreatDad E-Book!
My baby's due date or birthday :
Profile picture
Privacy Policy and Terms
Baby Name Finder!

what's in a name

  • Show names for:
  • Boys
  • Girls
  • Either
Finding a name you can both agree on isn't always easy. Use our simple name generator to get started.
First Letter
Last Letter
Number of Letters
Origin
Find a name!

More to See

5 Ways to Prepare Your Child for a Surgical Procedure

April 6, 2022 By Contributing Authors

How to get kids excited about dental hygiene

March 3, 2022 By Contributing Authors

Tags

529 Plan budgeting for teens college savings compromise dad dads Father's Day fatherhood friendship in-laws love marriage Movie Review parenting advice parenting skills prepaid cards ritual Sundays travel vacation

Footer

Hi mom!

Would you like to share this site with your husband or a friend?

Just enter his email address and your name below and we'll let him know all about GreatDad.com.

His email address
Your Name

Recent

  • A Dad’s Guide to Bonding with Your Kids Through Computer Games
  • 5 Ways to Prepare Your Child for a Surgical Procedure
  • How to get kids excited about dental hygiene
  • 10 Important Lessons to Teach Your Kids About Keeping Pets
  • The Happiness Advantage by Shawn Achor

Search

Tags

529 Plan budgeting for teens college savings compromise dad dads Father's Day fatherhood friendship in-laws love marriage Movie Review parenting advice parenting skills prepaid cards ritual Sundays travel vacation

Copyright © 2022 . GreatDad