Doing these things will help keep you in control and your children safe:

1. Discuss what you expect from your child. Cover what she is to do and when, as well as what she can’t do.
2. Have a practice run before you leave your child alone the first time. Let your child rehearse the routine one afternoon while you’re at a friend’s house. He can call you if he runs into a snag.
3. Tell your child you trust her and that letting her stay home alone is helping her become more responsible.
4. Warn your child—if he can’t follow the rules, he will lose the privilege of caring for himself after school.
5. Post rules on the refrigerator door.

Here are some good rules to include on your list.

• When you get off the bus, go directly home and lock the door.
• Call me at work as soon as you get home.
• Help yourself to a snack, but absolutely no cooking.
• Do homework first.
• Watch no more than one hour of TV.
• You can call friends, but no one can visit.
• You may not leave the house.

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