Latchkey Readiness

Deciding if your child is ready to be a "latchkey" kid—spending time home alone without an adult—is not easy. Here is some information to help keep the situation safe and comfortable for everyone, whether you're considering the decision or you already have a latchkey kid.

How Old?

One of the first questions most parents ask is, "How old does my child need to be?" There is no single answer. Not every child walks by one, or rides a bike by six. Your job is to decide whether your child is mature enough to handle the responsibilities of staying alone.

• Child care authorities don't endorse ever leaving a child under 8 home alone. Children this young are not mature enough to make responsible decisions for their own welfare; in some states it's illegal to leave children this young alone.
• Many people believe the earliest age at which it's okay to leave a child unsupervised is 10. Others say 12. Still others say 14. You and your child are best able to judge when your child is sufficiently responsible for self care. This is a decision best made after considering the child's level of maturity rather than going solely by their chronological age.
• Keep the amount of time children spend alone each day to a minimum. Three hours daily is more than most children can tolerate.

Routine helps kids adjust to being at home alone

• A schedule of homework, chores and activities
• House Rules should be clear regarding TV, computer and telephone use and whether visitors are permitted.

Stressed-Out Kid?

Parents may also wonder, "How do I know if my child is stressed about being home alone?" A child in self-care may show signs of additional stress, and parents need to be aware of the signs of stress to see what is going on in a child's life. Please be aware, however, that some of these symptoms could be signs of physical rather than emotional problems, so don't automatically assume stress is to blame. Investigation may be required to find out how to best help your child.

• complaints of stomach aches, headaches, or vague illnesses
• difficulty sleeping or frequent complaints of fatigue
• increase in allergy or asthma attacks for children who are affected by these problems
• recurring nightmares
• mood changes: becoming more irritable, careless, or listless
• difficulty concentrating
• sudden change in work habits or falling behind in academic work
• talk—evening jokingly—about committing suicide

Latchkey Readiness Test

1. Do I consider my child old enough to assume self-care responsibilities?
2. Has my child expressed an interest in self-care?
3. Do I believe my child is mature enough for self-care?
4. Is my child able to solve problems?
5. Can my child communicate with adults effectively?
6. Can my child complete daily tasks?
7. Is my child generally unafraid to be alone?
8. Is my child unafraid to enter the house alone?
9. Can my child unlock the door to the house unassisted?
10. Is there a trustworthy adult nearby that my child knows and could rely on in an emergency?
11. Do I have adequate household security?
12. Do I consider my neighborhood safe?

If you answered "No" to any of these questions, it may be a good idea to abandon or delay plans to leave your child in self-care. And if your child is already a latchkey kid, make sure you review the safety guidelines for latchkey kids. You may also want to review our article for kids on staying home alone with your child.

Information is in part adapted from Your Child: The Latchkey Years (Better Homes & Gardens), The Handbook for Latchkey Children and Their Parents (Lynette and Thomas Long) and from the Lawrence Police Department and Lawrence Memorial Hospital.