Well, here we are at the end of one quarter of the school year. I just got in the kids report cards, and I have to say, I was simply amazed. My youngest son, in first grade received all B’s, my middle son in the honors fourth grade, made honor roll and got straight A’s, and my oldest daughter in the sixth grade brought her bad grades all up and got B’s and one C. I was so proud. And then I read a note stuck in one envelope from the first grade teacher.
She wrote me to tell me she was concerned about the fact that my children looked after themselves until I got home in the evenings. That there were babysitters available in my town, and would I like some numbers. At first I thought, how nice of her. And then the more I sat there I thought, what nerve. First off, those babysitters charge a rate of about $2.00 an hour per child. They are alone 16 hours total a week, sometimes less, never more. That would be $96 a week, until you also count in the fact that two of those days, I work past 5 pm, which most sitters don’t watch past 6 pm at the most.
So, I would have to pay $384 a month in sitting fees, or do as I chose and have the children come home on their own for those few hours. Now, I have an 11, 10, and 6 year old. Both older children are responsible, and I have no worries really. They have complete access to phone me at any time, and believe me they do. They aren’t allowed outside until I come home, no answering doors or phone, and they cannot use the stove. I have dinner ready for those two nights I work until 8 pm, so that takes care of that. We have been doing this since school started, and other than a few normal arguments, we have no issues.
I think that the teachers concern is nice, but not needed in my case. However, I do understand there are some parents who take it to the extreme, and allow their kids to roam at will, leave them alone late at night for reasons not relating to work, and basically neglect their children. I feel that isn’t myself, nor my kids. We talk about the fact that they come home alone, and whether they are scared, or don’t like it. So far, no complaints, and it’s just working.
For those parents who have no other option like myself, there are a few things to look into when thinking of having your children look after each other.
1.age and maturity-just because child is 13 or so, doesn’t mean they are responsible, look at how they are in everyday life first.
2.safety-do you live in an area that it wouldn’t be too wise to leave them alone in
3.neighbors and or family- is there someone close by just in case of an emergency
4.communication-can they call you, are there multiple phone numbers
5.problems-do they know all emergency numbers, are they posted clearly, and do they understand what to do
It’s these things you need to think about long and hard, before you make your decision, I know I had to. It was hard to chose this path, but I had no other options, and I did look. I have no family support, the neighbors have enough of their own kids, no daycares in my town, and the ones in the town I work in aren’t open the hours I need. Not only do I refuse, but I cannot afford to pay over $300 a month in sitter fees either. So for me, this was what we as a family must do, at least until I win that lottery.