For parents of latchkey children. Are you a parent who works but still wants to give your child excellent guidance? Information on finding balance with your kids.
You work forty or more hours a week. You'd love to devote more time to your children, but you have to support them. What can you do to ensure that your children are guided effectively when they get home from school and you're not there? Read on for a few quick tips that can help.
1. Hire a babysitter. When doing this, you want someone who can provide a nurturing afternoon for your children. The person must be able to devote time to helping with homework. Utilize background checks and ask questions such as, "What sort of educational support can you offer my child?" If you have to go through a nanny agency, do not hesitate to do so. Make sure you lay down the rules with the sitter, so he or she knows what should and should not be happening. Also ensure that your sitter knows your discipline policies and enforces them.
2. Lay down the law! Sitter or not, children should have some rules to be followed. You want to make sure they do not get home from school and decide to snack on everything under the sun. Leave out snacks or instruct them what is alright to eat until you get home to fix dinner. Also make sure they know when they are supposed to do homework. Usually right after they get home is the best time, after a ten minute rest. Let them know who can come over to the house and who cannot. Television is a big must, when it comes to rules. Make sure they know what they can and cannot watch. And even the computer should be monitored. If they are allowed on, make sure that you have a program on it to ensure they are not on any inappropriate sites.
3. Check into latchkey programs. Many schools now offer after-school programs where tutors help children with their homework and allow them to play, while observed. This is great for working parents because the school district is responsible and usually pretty trustworthy to work with.
4. Utilize the phone. Have them call you to check in or you can call them when they get home to make sure everything is okay. You can also have a check-in time later on during the afternoon so you are sure they are there, and safe.
5. Go over safety rules, even if you have a sitter. Where's the fire extinguisher? Who's the emergency contact? Is there a first aid kit? Which locks need to be checked? Make a list of things you need to go over with the children and/or the sitter so you are sure they are aware of all of the safety precautions.
6. Spend time with them when you get home! Let them know that you care, even when you cannot be there. Most children understand parents' schedules so long as the parent doesn't bring work or a bad attitude home with them.
By taking the time to go over simple rules and regulations, and ensuring your children are in safe hands, you can rest assured that your children are in safe hands.
