Working/Kids at Home

[chiromamma]

Hey mamas,
I originally posted this in the working moms forum of MDC but it was suggested I move it here....Thanks for any insight!

After many years of happily "staying home" with my kids, I am once again gainfully employed. I have an ideal work situation...mother's hours, 4 mornings a week. I am working in my industry, but not in private practice so I can walk away from work when I'm done each day. I couldn't ask for a better situation.

My question...My kids will be at home alone those mornings until school starts. DD is 14, DS1 is 12, and DS2 is 8. We have a close knit neighborhood, with lots of stay at home parents and folks who work from home. Safety is not my issue.

For those of you with older kids at home on their own, what are their "rules"? Chores, leaving the house, guests, TV, computer time, avoiding having your cell phone ring every 15 minutes with a tattle, micro management request, etc. etc.
Also, do you leave an older kid "in charge"?

My kids have chores but I tend to be a supervisor...ya know, they can't make plans until they are done, etc.

I just don't want to come home to a messy kitchen and screen zoned, fighting kids each afternoon.
Thanks!

[AliciaP8]

We have one 11 year old DS. He stays home for short periods of time alone. We have rules and they all seem to go back to me worrying that the activity isn't safe while alone. He doesn't play outside or go to the barn. Not that anything ever really happens in the barn but I don't need him being harmed by an animal when we're not home.

We limit eating to foods that don't need preparation or are already prepared. He cooks lots of stuff when we're home but no stove or over while we're away.

We also ask that the house stay in the same condition as we left it. I don't expect him to do laundry or any chores while we're gone b/c he gets sidetracked and besides I know he likes the peace and quiet of having the house to himself and I don't want to take that away. We do excpect him to pick up after himself.

Once he starts being home more routinely I'll probably make as short list of chores for him to do that day. Empty dishwasher, put clothes away and stuff like that.

[mtiger]

My rules were and remain (they are now 15 & 17):

* I need to know if they are going elsewhere - together or alone.
* I need to be asked before someone else comes over.
* They are NOT to call me at work to settle arguments - if no one is bleeding, I don't need to be hearing about it.

They are allowed to prepare whatever they want, in the microwave, oven, stove, grill.

They can run the laundry, the dishwasher, etc. If they decide to mow the lawn, it needs to be when they are both home.

[journeymom]

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