family matters

QI’m considering letting my increasingly independent daughter stay home alone after school while I’m still at work. How can I tell if she’s ready? How can I prepare her?

If you’re relying on a sitter or after-school programs to bridge the gap between school and work, handing over the house keys to your growing child can be a relief. But if you take this step too early, it can be a burden.

One sign to hold off? “If a child runs to you with. “That may signal they’re not yet thinking for themselves.” And the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services suggests asking yourself if your child consistently obeys rules and has responded well to past stressful situations.