Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/5/84; site terak.UUCP
Path: utzoo!linus!philabs!prls!amdimage!amdcad!amd!vecpyr!lll-crg!seismo!hao!noao!terak!suze
From: suze@terak.UUCP (Suzanne Barnett)
Newsgroups: net.kids
Subject: Re: latchkey kids
Message-ID: <730@terak.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 23-Sep-85 12:36:59 EDT
Article-I.D.: terak.730
Posted: Mon Sep 23 12:36:59 1985
Date-Received: Fri, 27-Sep-85 07:23:59 EDT
References: <979@mtuxo.UUCP>
Organization: Calcomp Display Products Division, Scottsdale, AZ, USA
Lines: 39

> 
> A question for the net:
> 
> 	At what age are children able to look after
> 	themselves after school?
> -- 
> - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
> 
> Janet Smuga			I've had a great many troubles in my time,

Depends on the maturity of the particular child, and for how
long they'll be alone. In reference to my stepkids, I wouldn't
EVER leave the 5 or 6 year old alone (or with only each
other). Robyn could be left alone for a couple of hours when she
was almost 10 (she's now 11).  She can also babysit Annie &
John for several hours. I could leave Kristen alone all
day if I was willing to cope with an extremely bored 14 year
old when I got home. (Kristen is the only one who lives with
us year round.)

She is alone after getting home for school (~ 3 pm) till we
get home (~ 6 pm). This gives her enough time to, usually, get
her homework done, yak on the phone to all her friends for ages
without us around, or whatever; yet isn't so long she gets
bored or lonesome. I do make a habit of calling to see how
things are going, check what she wants for dinner (and
possibly remove something from the freezer to thaw) and see
how school went. I don't call everyday, or at the same time.
This is so she knows I'm thinking about her, and she'll know
I'm not "checking up" or just doing something that's a habit,
but am actually interested in her and her day.
-- 
Suzanne Barnett

uucp:	 ...{decvax,ihnp4,noao,savax,seismo}!terak!suze
phone:	 (602) 998-4800
us mail: CalComp/Sanders Display Products Division
	 (Formerly Terak Corporation)
	 14151 N 76th street, Scottsdale, AZ 85260


Brought to you by Super Global Mega Corp .com