Whether your teen is at that age where they no longer need a babysitter for the day or you plan to leave them home alone overnight, you may feel anxious about the situation. That’s normal, especially when leaving your teen home without supervision for the first time. Save yourself the anxiety by clearly communicating your expectations and guidelines for their unsupervised time. When developing your guidelines and expectations, consider these tips:
· Be clear about who is allowed and not allowed at your home while you are away.
· Inform your neighbors, family and friends, and ask that they check in and can be a contact for your teen while you are away.
· Lock up or remove any alcohol, tobacco products, and prescription drugs that you have in your home.
· Explain the consequences to your teen should they disobey your rules.
No one knows your teen better than you do. Think about their behavior and if they can be given this responsibility. Do they turn in their homework on time? Are they completing their chores? How is their behavior around their friends? Understanding their current behavior will help indicate whether they are ready to stay at home unsupervised. This may be a good time to emphasize the idea that freedom is earned by consistently showing responsibility.
Consider this an opportunity for both you and your teen. It gives your teen the chance to prove they are responsible and can be trusted with this opportunity. It allows you the flexibility and freedom to spend time outside of the home without the need to hire a babysitter. This valuable growth experience can be positive with careful preparation and guidance.
