Whether it’s an unexpected business meeting or any other urgent call-up, there will be many times when you will have to leave your kids alone at home. And as parents, it is quite normal to feel worried and concerned about their safety and wellbeing.

Therefore, it’s crucial to prepare your kids in advance and get some trials done to manage an unseen and sudden situation. And handled with care, staying home alone can be a good experience for the kids. This will make them feel more confident and independent.

Are You Sure Your Kids Can be Left Alone?

Before you plan to leave your kids alone at home, there are some basic things that you need to consider. Now, a five or 6-year old can’t manage it alone; what about your school-going teenage kids? Deciding whether you can take the risk of leaving your children at home comes down to your judgment of them. If you think your children are mature enough to be left on their own, you can take the risk.

Prepare Them for Everything Unexpected

Your kids might not know how to handle unexpected and emergency situations, but you should prepare them for everything in advance. Here are some of the things your child must know:

  • What to do in case a stranger comes to the door
  • How to work the home security system, and what if the alarm accidentally goes off
  • What to do in case of heavy rainfall or any other environmental emergency
  • How to lock and unlock doors
  • How to call 911
  • How to answer and make calls
  • What to do in case of minor emergencies in the kitchen
  • How to do basic first-aid

When your kids know all these things well, you can think about leaving them alone for a short period.

Stock Up and Teach Them How to Order Food

You should always stock up on plenty of food items as you never know when you can get stuck in an emergency, and your kids will have to do it alone without you. Make sure you get food items that they can munch on anytime without the hassle of cooking. In case you forgot to stock up, teach them how to order food from a reliable source. Thanks to the growing technology in the food industry, one can directly order and get a full meal kit delivery from restaurants. In such cases, ensure that your kids know the best places to order food from.

Childproof Your Home

Another important tip is to childproof your home. No matter how mature and innocent you think your children are, do not keep anything open which might be a health or safety risk. For instance, things like alcohol, cigarettes, guns, over-the-counter medications, etc., should be placed away from the sight of children.

Wrapping Up

The decision of leaving your children at home can become less worrisome if you have pets. Everybody knows how comfortable and happy kids feel in pets’ company, be it a dog, cat, or a little hamster. Moreover, with the right preparation and practice, leaving your kids alone at home would become a normal and safer experience.

Also See: Child Abuse: 7 Ways to Teach your Child about Good and Bad Touch