A question for those with latch key kids!

[Pin Wizard]

I'm wondering how old your child was when you started letting them come home from school and stay alone. I have a job interview on Tuesday. I know it's a GREAT company and would love to work for them. Not so sure about the job, but it's worth a shot. The problem for me comes with the hours. It's a set schedule Monday through Friday, but I could be working 7-4, 8-5, or 9-6. The first and last don't work well at all. DS's school bus comes between 7 and 7:15 a.m. After care at the day care center is until 6:00 p.m. And then there's the rare OT that comes up. I was told they are actually working OT now, and at tax season there's always OT which everyone shares. I LOVE the pay of OT, but the hours can be a problem with an 11 year old.

Just curious...how old was your child? Thanks!

 

[Pop Daddy]

just make sure you could be reaced by a phone and all will be fine.

 

[eeyore kelly]

My DS is 11 and he just became a latch key kid for 1 1/2 hours in the afternoon about 2-3 times a week. We haven't had any problems and since I have been thinking about going back to work, we have practiced. I started by going up the road to the store (round trip 12 minutes), and slowly extended the time. My parent's are also next store most of the time. I would be more concerned about the mornings than afternoon.

 

[HisEllyNelly]

I have the same problem. I have an 11 year old and his 6 year old sister. Its tough. I do leave my 11 year old home alone for short times and he has been fine. Its his 6 year old sister that worries me. I think it all depends on the child. I know my son and I know he is ok with it. Some of the kids I know that are his age there is no way I would leave them alone. I know my mom and dad left me alone when I was 8...but the world was a bit different back in 1979

 

[mrsltg]

It'll be ok. My brother and I had to do it out of necessity when he was 9 and I was 6. We left the house together and arrived together. Mom and Dad had divorced and that was the only way Mom could make ends meet. We did just fine. We knew to lock the door behind us coming and going, not to answer the door, yada yada yada. At any rate, 11 is old enough to understand these things. Your son will do fine!

Erin

 

[SC Minnie]

DD is 10 and this school year she has started coming home after school alone for about 2 hours. We live in a small neighborhood and there is always someone home (SAHM next door, retired couple across the street). I work 5 minutes away and DH works less than 10 minutes away. She has done well so far. She always calls as soon as she gets home (usually followed by about 3-5 more calls ). She knows the rule-- don't answer the phone or the door, and no friends over.

We started leaving her alone for short periods of time last year. We started by going for walks for about 15-30 minutes. Then she would stay at home while I would run to the store or other errands. When out I always have my cell with me and she can always get in touch with either me or her Dad.

Talk to your child and see how they feel about it. Also, if you can work it out for them to go to a friends maybe when you have OT they may ease your mind.

 

[chrissyk]

Sis and I were around 9 and 11 when we started being latchkey kids. It was pretty-much fine, except for a few situations that were my fault entirely. My younger sister would probably have been safer at home alone without me

One rule that I'd make is that the kids can't use the stove/burners while you're not home. I was quite the little Betty Crocker in my own mind, and I almost burned the house down trying to make "fried dough" when we were home alone. I put an entire container of vegetable oil on the stove, and then left it to "heat up" while I ran my sister a bath. Yeah, it caught on fire, and then my sister had to put the fire out Luckily, she actually knew how to put out a grease fire, and neither of us got hurt. In hindsight, I should NOT have been using the stove at that age.

 

[gr8tpanther]

My kids come home everyday and stay for 2 hours till my mom gets home from work. They have been doing this for YEARS, my mother is 5 minutes away and I have a cell on at all times. I can't leave work, but my mom could if I needed her to. My house is normally trashed when I get home but I will take that over the cost of child care and the fact that I sometimes work 12 hours a day! There is NO way I could get them from a babysitter so be life.

 

[Freyja]

My son is 10 and has just started to spend the occasional 1-2 hours a day alone at home. We haven´t faced any problems yet, so if I was in your position I would take the job. Just make sure you can be reached easily and maybe have a chat with the neighboors (if that is an option) and let them know that he´s alone. This way he might feel more secure, knowing that he can contact someone nearby if something happened.

 

[StartedAJoke]

Just this year we've started allowing DD10 & DD8 to come straight home after school. DD10 received a house-key for her birthday and she is in charge. They are home alone for about 2 hours. They have a set list of rules though -- come in, lock door, call my cell phone, no cooking. We discuss homework and snacks over the phone and they do a pretty good job of staying on task.

Karla

 

[DissyLove]

You know your kid best and how they will handle the situation. As long as they are comfortable with it, and are provided with the necessary numbers, info, and availability to help in case of an emergency (neighbor, or a number of someone close by) I am sure they will be fine. Heck, I was babysittiing others at 11 for short periods of time! Just use your best judgement and what is best for the family. Good luck on the interview!

 

[disneychrista]

My girls are 11 & 13. If they were going to a school that had bussing they would be staying home after school. But since they go to school outside our zone there is no bussing. Luckily the Boys and Girls Club is at the school they attend and they go there after school.

Next year the 13yo will be a freshmen in HS and will take the bus home after school. She should be home alone for 1.5 - 2 hours each day.

I do not expect the 11yo to stay home afterschool until she is a HS too. Its just not possible where we live / where they go to school.

Both do stay home during school holidays. For the first time this year I do not have to take all my vacation time while they are on Winter and Spring Break.

 

[Cebhfhionn]

My DS is 9 and has been a latch key kid since school started in August. He is VERY responsible and I am always available by phone and it would only take me about 20 minutes to get home if I needed to.

We had the same problem with aftercare at school, they are only there until 6 and we do not get out of work until 5:30. Would NEVER make it there on time.

Like another poster said, it really does depend on your child, you know them best.

 

[Jasminesmommy]

Yes it depends on the kid. Do you have a neighbor who could keep her ears open? or go to in case of emergency?

 

[MUFFYCAT]

My daughter was in the sixth grade (11) when she became a "latch-key" kid. She had no problems and after awhile she wanted the house to herself. She'd be disappointed if I came home early.
I just started leaving 5th grade DD 10 home alone this year from 3:30- 5:00, with no problems at all either.

There are a few neighbors I can rely on if they need help.
I have their phone numbers on the kitchen. And now with cell phones, I feel more at ease also. Just the older one has one- she's now 13.

 

[Scratch42]

Originally posted by Pop Daddy
just make sure you could be reaced by a phone and all will be fine.

This makes all the difference!

DD started coming home last year under the pretense that if she did something irresponsible, it was back to the sitter!

I guess that was a horrible enough threat that she has been great!

Plus there are people in our building that "look out" for her without her knowing!LOL

As long as you feel that your child is responsible and can follow the ground rules, it should not be a problem!

Scratch

 

[Serena]

That's when I started leaving Kelsea to take care of herself while I was at work. We went all over the rules and such until she could repeat them in her sleep. She got a little annoyed at me. lol
I would call like a crazy person several times, and annoyed her some more.
Eventually I relaxed some and I don't call so much. But she knows how to get ahold of me if she needs me. She loves having the house to herself.
She's almost 13 now and I'm almost comfortable with it. Maybe I'll be alright when she's 30. lol

 

[JuliaEeyore]

I was letting myself into my house and doing my homework from 3-6pm when I was 10. I think an 11 year old, provided YOU feel he is mature enough and responsible enough, would be perfectly fine being a "latch key kid."

Heck, I was babysitting at 12. It really depends on the family. And today, with cell phones, it's even easier.

Good luck!

Julia

 

[Pin Wizard]

Lots of good suggestions here. Thank you!! I'll have to think about this the next few days.

 

[clh2]

My DD started coming home alone in 4th grade after school, when she was 9 1/2. She had the "rules" drilled in to her. She also knew the penalty of not following the rules, and there were no warnings - it would be back to the sitter - no ifs, ands or buts.

DD was very responsible, and was adament that she did not want to go back to the sitter.

It has worked out GREAT for us. DD is very responsible and even now in 5th grade - the penalty for not following the rules is the same - back to the sitter.

While buried deep in her backpack is a key for the front door, she uses the keypad to get into the garage, and then the door from the garage into the house has a digital keypad. That way I don't have to stress out about her losing the key.

I totally agree with many previous posters - you know your child best!

Good luck with the interview, and whatever decide to do!!!