Letting Your Pre-Teen Stay Home Alone for the Summer Sun City West AZ
One child may need no guidance at all about using the oven on her own, for example, while another may be safer just making sandwiches for himself at lunch. A child who will end up in front of the television all day needs more direction than one who's more productive with his time.
Ms. Shannon Spellman
Veritas Counseling Center, LLC
602-863-3939
10640 N. 28th Drive, Suite B-202
Phoenix, AZ
Ms. Shannon Spellman
Veritas Counseling Center, LLC
602-863-3939
10640 N. 28th Drive, Suite B-202
Phoenix, AZ 85029
Credentials
Credentials: MSW, LCSW, LMFT, LISAC
Licensed in Arizona
29 Years of Experience
Problems Served
Addictions/Substance, Behavioral Problems, Family Dysfunction, Parenting Issues, Runaways, Sexual Abuse/Rape, Trauma/PTSD
Populations Served
ACOA (Adult Children of Alcoholics)
Membership Organizations
HelpPro.com
Age Groups Served
Adolescents (13-17), Young Adults (18-25), Adults (26-59)
Data Provided by:
Ms. Clyta A West
(520) 221-4202
12301 W Bell Road
Surprise, AZ
Ms. Clyta A West
(520) 221-4202
12301 W Bell Road
Surprise, AZ 85374
Specialties
Anxiety or Fears, Women's Issures, marriage, communic, Relationship Issues, Elderly Persons Disorders
Qualification
School: Colorado Christian University
Year of Graduation: 2000
Years In Practice: 9 Years
Patient Info
Ethnicity: Any
Gender: Female
Payment Methods
Sliding Scale: Yes
Accepts Credit Cards: No
Accepted Insurance Plans: AZ Foundations
James Main
(623) 826-2543
Surprise, AZ
James Main
(623) 826-2543
Surprise, AZ 85374
Practice Areas
Addictions and Dependency, Career Development, Clinical Mental Health, Counselor Education, Couples & Family
Certifications
National Certified Counselor
Heather Sestili
(623) 341-4463
Peoria, AZ
Heather Sestili
(623) 341-4463
Peoria, AZ 85382
Practice Areas
Childhood & Adolescence, Clinical Mental Health, Couples & Family, Sexual Abuse Recovery
Certifications
National Certified Counselor
Christopher Andersen
(623) 680-8172
Glendale, AZ
Christopher Andersen
(623) 680-8172
Glendale, AZ 85308
Practice Areas
Childhood & Adolescence, Clinical Mental Health, Couples & Family, Mental Health/Agency Counseling
Certifications
National Certified Counselor
Barry Aneda Jr
(623) 889-7458
Surprise, AZ
Barry Aneda Jr
(623) 889-7458
Surprise, AZ 85374
Practice Areas
Career Development, Clinical Mental Health, Aging/Gerontological, Couples & Family, Depression/Grief/Chronically or Terminally Ill
Certifications
National Certified Counselor
Ms. Clyta A West
(520) 221-4202
12301 W Bell Road
Surprise, AZ
Ms. Clyta A West
(520) 221-4202
12301 W Bell Road
Surprise, AZ 85378
Specialties
Women's Issures, marriage, communi, Divorce, Anxiety or Fears, Bipolar Disorder
Qualification
School: Colorado Christian University
Year of Graduation: 2000
Years In Practice: 10+ Years
Patient Info
Ethnicity: Any
Gender: All
Age: Preteens / Tweens (11 to 13),Adolescents / Teenagers (14 to 19),Adults,Elders (65+)
Payment Methods
Sliding Scale: Yes
Accepts Credit Cards: No
Accepted Insurance Plans: AZ Foundations
Dressner Counseling Services Inc Ira Liana Dressner Lcsw
(917) 725-5200
Dressner Counseling Services Inc17901 North Adobe Mesa Court
Surprise, AZ
Dressner Counseling Services Inc Ira Liana Dressner Lcsw
(917) 725-5200
Dressner Counseling Services Inc17901 North Adobe Mesa Court
Surprise, AZ 85374
Specialties
Relationship Issues, Divorce, Trauma and PTSD, Elderly Persons Disorders
Qualification
School: New York University
Year of Graduation: 1992
Years In Practice: 15+ Years
Patient Info
Ethnicity: Native American, Other Racial or Ethnic Background
Gender: Male
Age: Adolescents,Adults,Elders
Payment Methods
Sliding Scale: No
Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
Accepted Insurance Plans: BlueCross and/or BlueShield
Theresa Cole
Glendale, AZ
Theresa Cole
Glendale, AZ 85308
Practice Areas
Addictions and Dependency, Clinical Mental Health, Couples & Family, Sexual Abuse Recovery, Depression/Grief/Chronically or Terminally Ill
Certifications
National Certified Counselor
Angela Hairapetian
(623) 210-9711
Glendale, AZ
Angela Hairapetian
(623) 210-9711
Glendale, AZ 85308
Practice Areas
Addictions and Dependency, Eating Disorders, Couples & Family, Depression/Grief/Chronically or Terminally Ill
Certifications
National Certified Counselor
Data Provided by:
Provided By: 
Parent & Child
Home Alone this Summer
By Courtesy of ARA Content
Email
Jun 6, 2006, 10:18
|
(ARA) - Here comes summer and if you're the parent of a pre-teen, you can bet this question is coming, too: "Why can't I stay home by myself this summer?"
How do you know when they're ready to be on their own at home while you're at work? "Part of successful parenting lies in the ability to accurately assess your child's level of maturity," says Dr. James Longhurst, a licensed psychologist for Starr Commonwealth, a child and family services organization founded nearly a century ago. "The foundation for how they will handle themselves was established at day one. If you've been in tune with your child over the years, you'll know when they're ready."
Certainly you'll want to check to see if there are state regulations governing at what age a child can stay home alone, says Longhurst, but your best indicator will be that little voice inside. "If you have concerns, it means you probably should have concerns," he says. "One of a child's developmental stages involves responsibility. Sensitivity to where your child is on the developmental continuum can help you make wise accommodations."
One child may need no guidance at all about using the oven on her own, for example, while another may be safer just making sandwiches for himself at lunch. A child who will end up in front of the television all day needs more direction than one who's more productive with his time.
The point is exhaustive lists of dos and don'ts aren't nearly as helpful as rules that take a child's particular situation into account. "Situational parenting means you offer more or less direction, depending on the situation," says Longhurst. "This kind of flexibility shows your child that you understand who he is and that, in turn, builds confidence and trust."
Emergency procedures, whether or not to allow friends in the house when you're gone, household tasks that need to be accomplished - these are just a few of the issues you and your child should discuss and settle together. Longhurst's highly successful work with troubled youth at Starr Commonwealth has shown him that when kids have an opportunity to help set the rules for their own behavior they end up embracing those rules and living up to the trust placed in them. "Identify the areas up for discussion and then really discuss them. Let kids know you want them to be part of the process," he says.
Longhurst suggests other activities that can help your child have a summer "alone" that helps build family bonds and personal confidence:
∗ Check with your child's school to find out what subject areas they'll be studying in the coming year. Then, get creative. Rent movies that pertain to the subject, for example. "Make activities like watching TV productive rather than consumptive," says Longhurst.
∗ Help them discover a new hobby. If your child is in...
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