Working Moms Refuge | Wisdom of Mothers

Family
Career
Art of Juggling
Single Moms
Dad's Voice
News
Health
Bookshelf
Recipes
Sports Mom

Archives
Contact Us

Discussion Lists
Wisdom of Mothers
Resources

After School Care

We asked Moms:
How do you care for your children when school lets out for the day?

Compiled from WMOMS discussions by Laureen W.
WMOMS (wmoms@world.std.com) is a mailing list for working parents. For more information, send email to "majordomo@world.std.com' and in the message type "info wmoms".

Disclaimer: Some of this advice worked for some people some of the time. Neither they, WMOMS nor Working Moms Refuge take responsibility for its applicability to your family. Please discuss any questions with your own network of professionals, friends and family first.

Table of Contents

Leaving Children Home Alone

How old do children have to be before they can be left home alone?
How long should children be left home alone?
What are some suggested rules for children left home alone?
What were some of the suggestions regarding answering the phone?
What other topics should be discussed with children before leaving them home alone?
How do children feel about staying home alone?

After-school care programs

How old are the children in after-school care?
What are some options for after-school care?
How are children transported to after-school care programs?
Do after-school programs accept children on school holidays?
Are there any special discipline policies to look for in after-school care?

Leaving Children Home Alone

How old do children have to be before they can be left home alone?: This really varies per child. One list member reported being left home with a 4 yo sibling at the age of seven. A more typical age for leaving children home alone was around age ten. Some children are still attending after-school care programs at age 11. Even some 13 year olds weren't considered responsible enough to be left home alone for very long.
How long should children be left home alone?: Most list members reported starting with very short periods around age nine, and then gradually increasing them. Some children who are allowed to stay home alone after school, are not allowed to stay home alone on days when school is out due to the length of time involved.

Here is a list of suggested rules for children left home alone:

Wear the key INSIDE clothes and show it to no one.
Call us both at work as soon as you get home.
Don't answer the door unless you know who it is.
Various suggested rules for answering the phone.
No friends over.
She can go somewhere in the neighborhood, but call us again (leave a message) and leave a "where" note on the refrigerator.
Finish all homework and chores before we got home.

What were some of the suggestions regarding answering the phone?: Some list members did not allow their children to answer the phone. Some have Caller ID or a message system so the child knows when to answer. Others allow the child to answer, but respond that the requested parent is busy and can't come to the phone right now.
What other topics should be discussed with children before leaving them home alone?: Some of the children have had to handle minor medical problems such as nosebleeds, weather emergencies, and household situations such as power outages and plumbing problems. Many members tried to discuss these "what if?" situations before leaving their children home alone.
How do children feel about staying home alone?: This really varies according to a child's personality. Some children enjoy the time alone. Others don't, and are afraid.

Suggested web sites on leaving children home alone:

Kids Campaigns: Latchkey Kids
ERIC Digest: Library Latchkey Children
At Home, Alonge: Safey Tips For Latchkey Children

After-School Care Programs

1. How old are the children in after-school care?: It varies, but after-school care programs usually stop taking children anywhere between the ages of 10 and 12.
2. What are some options for after-school care?: Options include childcare in your home, home-based daycare, school-based care, daycare Centers, and community programs such as Y's.
3. How are children transported to after-school care programs?: For programs not held at the school, transportation can include walking, vans, and the school bus.
4. Do after-school programs accept children on school holidays?: Most programs will take children on school holidays but may charge an extra fee. However, programs based at the child's school may not. Parents can easily use up their vacation days if no childcare is available on those days. Centers that do provide care on school holidays and charge extra had costs ranging from $10/day up to $60/day.
5. Are there any special discipline policies to look for in after-school care?: List members have reported that some after-school care programs kick children out for up to two weeks for discipline problems. This was considered to be more of a punishment for the parent than the child since the parent may have to take time off from work.

Suggested web sites on after-school care:

ERIC Digest: Approaches to School Age Child Care
Latchkey Children and School-Age Child Care

Your Turn

This week's question:

How do you care for your children when school lets out for the day?