Teenagers becoming old enough to stay home alone when their parents go out of town is a bit of a rite of passage, but it's one that can leave parents anxious. Will your teen be safe while you're away? Can you trust them to be responsible and adhere to your rules, such as not having a party while you're away? Here are a few tips that will allow your teen to enjoy some newfound independence while also giving you peace of mind as worried parents:
Set Up a Home Security System
The best thing you can do to protect your teen and also get peace of mind is set up a home security system. A modern home security system syncs effortlessly with your cell phone or tablet so you can keep an eye on things from the road. Your system may be a simple alarm that goes off and alerts the authorities if there is a break-in, or can be more advanced and include a security camera with a feed you can check from your phone. Just be sure your teen memorizes the code and practices setting the alarm before you leave on your trip.
Set Clear Expectations
It's always a good idea to set clear expectations and get them in writing so your teen knows the rules while you're away. For example, you may ask that if they stay home instead of going on the vacation, they help with lawn care, take care of your pets, and water your plants. Are you going to leave them groceries as well as spending money? Are you going to video chat each day? Is your teen allowed to have friends over? Discuss all of these expectations ahead of time and then write them down.
Enlist the Help of a Neighbor
Letting a trusted neighbor know that your teen will be home alone is a great idea because it means there will be an adult around who can keep an eye on things and send you a text if anything seems not quite right. This should also be someone your teen can go to if they need help while you're away. You may want to consider sharing your security code with them just in case of an emergency, as long as you change it once you are back home.
Following these tips will help keep your teen safe while you're away, while still allowing them to enjoy some age-appropriate freedom. Contact a company, like All Pro Security, for more help.
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