There are lots of factors parents need to consider
The school summer break can leave many parents scratching their heads over how to keep their children occupied and happy. For some, it can also lead to a dilemma over whether they should leave them home alone to go to work.
Westerman says the charity has been contacted more than 21,000 times over the past four years about children being left unsupervised, with nearly half of the contacts taking place during the summer months. 1. Are they ready to be left home alone? Parents need to weigh up how their child will deal with being unsupervised for any length of time, and particularly how they’ll cope if something goes wrong. “Think about if they can deal with risks, will they behave responsibly, will they be safe?” asks Westerman. “And perhaps most importantly, how does your child feel about this idea?”
The charity also recommends that children under the age of 16 aren’t left alone overnight, and if a child has additional needs, these should be considered when leaving them at home alone or with an older sibling. 6. Go through different scenarios with your child Talk to your child early on about scenarios they might face and how to stay safe – ask them what they’d do and how they think they’d feel. “If they’re going to be home alone for example, ask them what they’d do if they hurt themselves or if a stranger knocks on the door,” suggests Westerman. “If they’re going out alone, you might want to ask them what they’d do if someone asks them to do something they’re not comfortable with.
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