A Smart Girl's Guide: Staying Home Alone. Dottie Raymer
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Название: A Smart Girl's Guide: Staying Home Alone
Автор: Dottie Raymer
Издательство: Ingram
Жанр: Учебная литература
Серия: American Girl
isbn: 9781609589493
isbn:
is worrying you. Together, you can figure out
what you need to feel comfortable with the
new arrangement.
Panicky Petunia
If you answered mostly c’s, you may like the idea
of staying home alone but easily get the jitters.
Or you’re not sure about the idea at all but may
not have a choice. Why not try a couple of test
runs first—say, while your parents run an errand
or visit with a neighbor. If you still don’t feel
ready, tell your parents how you feel and talk
about finding an alternative. Your school
counselor can tell you about other options
that are available in your area.
house rules
Different families have different rules. Talk with your parents about your
family’s house rules. That way, you’ll all know what to expect about what
you can—and can’t—do when you’re home alone.
Check In
You get home, lock the door behind you, and then what? You probably
need to check in with an adult to let him or her know you got home. Ask
your parents who you should check in with and how.
Hel-lo?
What should you do when the home phone rings? Do you answer it?
Let the call go to voicemail or the answering machine? Should you check
messages? If you answer the phone, what do you say? Is there a time
limit on calls to friends on your cell or home line?
Ding-Dong!
The best house rule is not to answer the door at all. If you have a short
list of people you can allow in when you’re alone, come up with a system
so that you know who’s at the door before you open it.
Net-Wise
Are you allowed to e-mail friends? Check certain websites? Enter chat
rooms? Surf the Internet? Find out how your parents feel about you
logging onto your computer or smartphone when you’re home alone.
Home Turf
For some girls, “home” means “in the house.” For others, it means
“in the yard” or “in the neighborhood.” Ask your parents what your
home territory is.
Snack Time
What are you allowed to snack on when you get home? Can you make
it yourself? Are any foods or appliances off-limits?
On Schedule
Do homework . . . or play with the cat? Shoot baskets . . . or clean your
room? Your parents might have one opinion. You might have another.
Talk about it, and work out a suitable schedule.
golden rules
Even though every family has different rules, some basic rules apply to
everyone. Follow these golden rules, and you’ll feel—and be—in control!
Always lock the door.
Believe it or not, leaving your key in the
door by accident is an easy thing to do.
Avoid this mistake by forming a good
habit. As soon as you walk in the door,
put your key in a special spot, such as on
a hook or in a dish. Make it the first thing
you do after you shut and lock the door
behind you.
Check in.
Always let your parents know
where you are. Call to keep
your parents up-to-date if your
schedule changes one day or is
so busy that it gets confusing.
And always check with a parent
before you change your plans.
Never tell anyone
you’re alone.
You can be polite without letting
people know you’re alone. If someone
calls for your mom, ask for a name:
“Who are you trying to reach?” Ask
who’s calling, and then say, “She’s busy
right now. I’ll let her know you called,”
and hang up.