Self-Care - TeachersAndFamilies

Self-Care
Children Home Alone
By Kaira M. Hayes, MS

Introduction

Parent Concerns

Is My Child Ready?

Successful Self-Care

Special Case: Siblings

References

Special Case: Older Children Caring for Siblings

Many families with multiple children may choose to have an older sibling take care of younger siblings after school. As noted previously, children who return home with an older adolescent are at increased risk for behavioral, academic, and emotional problems. This risk can be reduced by following the guidelines listed above.

Optimally, both younger and older siblings should be ready for self-care. Be aware that asking an older sibling to enforce rules and guidelines and discipline a younger sibling may be permanently damaging to the sibling relationship. Typically, an older sibling should be instructed to call a parent if the younger sibling is not following the rules (and vice versa). This will reduce the amount of conflict between siblings and will not place parenting responsibilities on the older child, who may become resentful or rebellious as a result.

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Kaira M. Hayes, MS, is an Assistant Professor in the Psychology Department at Fort Hays State University, Hays, KS, and near completion of a PhD in clinical psychology from Drexel University, Philadelphia. This article was prepared for inclusion in the forthcoming second edition of Helping Children at Home and School (National Association of School Psychologists).
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