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The old style helicopter parenting is fast being replaced by free range parenting. Many parents are giving kids the opportunity to be responsible for themselves but there are many who believe that the world is a bad place and they need to shield their kids. No matter which view you support, ‘home alone for the first time’ is a thing you will have to face! Whether it is because you have to run an errand or you feel he is old enough to stay all by himself, sooner or later you have to take this decision. But before you take the big leap, lay out the plan for ground rules. After all the safety of your kids cannot be compromised no matter how old they are, they are still your little babies! Here is an aid for you to lay the basic rules for them being home alone, check them out!
Listing People
Create a list of people and phone numbers that they can reach out to in case of any emergency. Jot down the names and numbers of these people, emergency numbers like 100, 101 and 102 together with their own address and number on a sheet and place it somewhere they know. Taking this safety precaution will ease out your fears!
No Knives
Be very strict with them on the use of knives, scissors and match sticks. If they are not old enough to handle these, tell them that they are better off without them!
First Aid
In case they decide to break rule number 2, yes they might just do that to cut open the new box of toys you got them! Be ready for such crisis and prepare them as well. Make sure they know how to give first aid to stop bleeding!
Run! Fire!
Your kid might suddenly decide in your absence that he can cook and needs to explore her talent! In case she has not tried that before (bright chances) prepare her to use a fire extinguisher. If not that, at the very least tell her to get out of the house in case fire takes over and yes leave the barbie behind!
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No Strangers Inside
Never, no like NEVER EVER answer the door and let people inside. Even if they say they know your mama, no! Even if you know them, still no. Behind majority of crimes with children, there are known people, so be safe!
No Publicity!
Be very strict with this one. Never tell others that you are alone at home which involves Facebook postings like, “My first home alone, anyone to join?”. It increases the risk of people knocking at the door, a big no no!
No Friends Over
You are not inviting friends over to your house to celebrate your first home alone, just NO! Kids together may head to mischief and in the absence of adult supervision, it may lead to dangers!
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Trick Them
Before leaving them for longer time, test them for a shorter duration. Tell them you’ll be back in an hour but surprise them in half an hour. This way they’ll not know how much time you’ll take and will always be on their toes and thus away from trouble!
No Medicines
Kids cannot be trusted with medicines, and take this very seriously! Don’t allow them to take any medicine without consulting you first. You have no idea how creative they can get with it, the bottle says 2 spoons but like 10 spoons will be better, OBVIOULY! Such thoughts are dangerous, so no taking this chance!
Sign A Contract
This may sound silly and funny to you but this will help. Write down all the rules you want them to follow, lay out what consequences they will have to face in case they go against it and make them sign it. They will already know what they are getting into and will thus keep from breaking the contract!
So now you are ready to leave your kid alone and explore his independence without being worried to death! Let them learn to be self reliant now, you are raising kids that will grow up to be confident and responsible. A small price to pay for his bright future, right?
