Home Alone: Is Your Teen Ready?

By Barbara McRae, MCC

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First, plan a safety net. If your work isn't nearby, or if you're not always available by phone, find a neighbor who's willing to be "on call" if your teen needs help. It's also wise to provide some structure for your teen's day. Don't fill every minute with chores, because teenagers need to have some control over their own time. But do give your child some activities to do while you're gone -- for example, find out about local summer day camps that have adult supervision.

Also, discuss with your teen how you want him or her to handle difficult situations that will likely come up. For example, if you don't want your daughter's friends in the house while you're not home, help her think of ways she can say no to them while offering ideas for other activities they can do together.

Make sure, too, to set guidelines together for what your teen can and can't do while you're not there -- and consequences for if those guidelines aren't followed. Finally, show your son or daughter that you appreciate his or her responsibility and trustworthiness by allowing more freedoms as the summer progresses.

Remember that, like with all parenting choices, your decision whether to let your teen stay home alone while you work should be based on what's best for his or her growth. When you provide a healthy balance between structure and freedom, you're helping your teenager learn skills that he or she can take into adulthood.