Are Your Children Ready To Be Home Alone? By: Mark Lowry There's no absolute rule, you need to gauge your child's readiness to be left alone at home. There's no right or wrong age for an adolescent or pre-teen to be left alone at home. Much of that depends on your child's maturity, and, not surprising, their ability to handle minor emergencies as they arise in the home. Every parent at some point in time either has or will make the decision to leave their child alone at home for the very first time. This decision is most often made as you are running out the door or late for an appointment. This isn't however a decision that should be made in the spur of the moment. To relieve as much anxiety as possible it's important to gauge your child's readiness for such a responsibility. How does your child handle minor emergencies at home? Do they get frustrated easily, or go to another part of the house to get away? Or do they remain calm, pitching in when necessary and appropriate? How you answer this question will have you either putting on the brakes or moving ahead with your plans. Another key question to ask yourself is how do they follow rules in general? Do they obey your rules regarding curfew, television, homework, and telephone usage? Do they require hovering to carry out instructions, or can they do what they are supposed to independently. How they treat your established rules will help you gauge how they're likely to react when left alone at home. Does your child know how to arm and disarm your security system? Has your child demonstrated that they understand why you place so much importance on home security? If you find yourself comfortable with the answers to the questions presented here, your child might be ready for the next level of responsibility: staying home alone for the first time. About the Author: For more than 30 years Mark has worked in the industry, collecting a wealth of knowledge over time. His expertise in ADT alarm systems systems has led many people to lead safer lives and has inspired the compilation of dozens of home security essays . Read some of his suggested secu rity tips. Related Articles Little Playzone More Than Just A Playpen It s A Playzone Of Excitement What you could do with bouncy castles How to Achieve Picture Perfect Shots via Digital Photography What Will be the Safest Baby Vehicle Seat For You The Best High School Graduation Present Beekeeping The Processing Of Honey Find A Good Lodge In Thailand Stop Bed Wetting Dvds And Cds Helpful Tools In Each Bed Wetter s Arsenal Discover the Finest Methods to Keep away from Gaining Unnecessary Pregnancy Weight Holidays In Portugal A World Of Variety After Pregnancy Belly Fat How To Speedily Drop The Pounds After Having A Little One Important Baby Furniture Terms and Definitions Caring For Elderly Parents and Feeling Negative About Life Finding The Best Assisted Living Home For You How To Shop For Dump Truck Toys Baby Shower Crafts Baby Diaper Cakes