Did you ever watch the movie Home Alone? The lead character, a young boy, gets left behind while his parents go on vacation. Now, that’s not too realistic, but plenty of kids are home alone after school until their parents get home.

The boy in the movie had many different feelings about being alone. Sometimes he was happy about having the house to himself. Sometimes he was lonely and missed his family. Sometimes he was afraid. And sometimes he was just plain bored.

Are you home alone after school? No one knows how many kids are home after school without an adult, but the number is increasing every day.

Today, it’s common for both parents to work or for kids to live with just one parent, so a new generation of kids is spending some time alone after school. Some schools now have after-school programmes, but some don’t, and in some cases, families may not be able to afford the extra expense.

Ground rules

So you and your mum or dad have decided you’re mature enough to take care of yourself after school. Every weekday, you’ll come home; let yourself in, and then what? Good question! This is why you’ll need to set up some rules – before you’re home alone.

Some families put up a list of rules where everyone can see them, like on the refrigerator door. Or a family might just go over the rules out loud. But whatever method you use, there are a lot of questions to talk about, like:

• Should you call mum or dad as soon as you get home?

• Are you allowed to watch TV, DVDs, videos, or play computer games? If so, which ones and for how long?

• Should homework be done first, even before chores?

• Can friends come over? If so, how many?

• What can you eat if you want a snack?

• Can you go outside, and if so, where?

• Which appliances can be used? (microwave, computer, etc.)

• Which chores need to be done and by when?

http://www.kidshealth.org/kid/

watch/house/homealone.html

Once you’ve decided on the rules, you and your parents may find it helpful to make a timetable. That way, you’ll know what’s expected of you each day. A time-table might look like this:

3.30-3.40pm – Call Mum or Dad

3.40-4.00pm – Change clothes and have a snack

4.00pm-4.45pm – Do the homework

4.45pm-5.30pm – FREE TIME!

5.30pm – Set the table for dinner

5.45pm – Mum or Dad is home