By Amy Cates

In the ’70s and early ’80s, the label “latchkey kid” was slapped on any child who carried the indicative house key around his neck or in his pants pocket.

What was then a new wave of children being raised by working couples or by single parents is now more commonplace. According to the Afterschool Alliance, 14.3 million children take care of themselves after school each weekday. Only 6.5 million children are in afterschool programs. In Alabama, one-fourth of children of working families are unsupervised in the afternoons. The data was gathered from a household survey, “America After 3 PM,” funded by the JC Penney Co., Inc. The survey explored how children spend their afternoons — supervised and otherwise.

But the fact that 25 percent of children in Alabama working families are “latchkey kids” doesn’t paint as dismal a picture as you might think.

Consider the technology we have today, as compared to what was available 20 or 30 years ago. Cell phones, caller ID and security systems all work together to create a safety net — perceived or otherwise — that simply wasn’t available to previous generations. Admittedly, that same technology also poses risks. Conversely, e-mail, instant messaging and cell phones can all conspire to privatize our children’s lives, compromising their safety and parents’ peace of mind.

The parents’ role is to put technology on their side. One Shelby County mom has enlisted the help of satellite TV, caller ID and cell phones to help take care of her two children, ages 11 and 9, for brief periods each afternoon. While Lisa* commutes 45 minutes from her job, her son and daughter are dropped off at a bus stop a few blocks away and walk home.

During the 30-minute gap between their arriving home and their mom returning from work, the children can watch TV, but they are not allowed computer access or outside play. And she has no worry about TV noise overriding a ringing phone. The TV works in conjunction with the home phone line, with caller ID scrolling across the screen. Her cell phone is a constant interruption, as she checks in with them regularly.

“Without a cell phone, I would not (work) because I would not have the comfort factor,” she says.

Clearly, not every family has access to these safeguards. Afterschool programs, where they are available, provide a good alternative to staying home alone. Costs are nominal, activities are supervised, and the schedules allow parents to work a traditional workday schedule. The Afterschool Alliance report serves as an impetus to create and support more afterschool programs, but it also spurs parents to find the safest place for their children. For parents like Lisa, an afterschool program is not necessary because of the short time her children are alone.

In Alabama, only 14 percent of children of children in working families are enrolled in afterschool programs, according to the Afterschool Alliance study. Limited access and funding make it impossible for many children to be in a supervised setting.

If a family’s schedule creates a gap between the time children return from school and parents return from work, establishing a latchkey arrangement can work well, under the proper guidelines.

How Old Is Old Enough?
As daring as it may sound, let your children be your guide. Their level of responsibility and maturity will reveal their readiness. “Girls tend to mature earlier than boys, so it’s less risky for girls (to stay home alone),” says Dr. Jean Spruill, professor of psychology and director of the psychology clinic at the University of Alabama. It’s maturity, not age, that determines a child’s readiness, she explains.

Technology provides added security, she adds, but it can be a false security if other steps are not in force. “There has to be good backup very close,” Dr. Spruill says.

Latchkey Training
Lisa started the latchkey process when her oldest child was in second grade, when she gave him a house key and taught him how to use it. That’s a good practice to put in place, according to Dr. Spruill. “Do it in small doses before you start leaving them alone,” she advises. For example, run a few short errands, and see how your children handle your absence. Did they do what they were supposed to do? Did they stay home? Did they argue?

If siblings are involved, Dr. Spruill warns, you should be prepared for bumps in the road, especially if the children are close in age. A 13-year-old in charge of a 12-year-old sibling, for example, is “a recipe for disaster,” she says. “They won’t mind, and it becomes a control issue.” Let your children’s maturity level and their relationship with each other serve as your guide.

Lay Down the Rules
As Lisa’s children grew older, she taught them how to handle emergencies and laid out a simple set of rules:
1. Don’t answer the door.
2. No microwave or stove.
3. Keep doors locked.
4. Do homework.
5. She lets a neighbor know if she’ll be late.
Dr. Spruill suggests supplying a list of written rules that can be easily followed. Set up a system of simple rewards for good behavior.

Also, review common safety tips with your children regularly. The “America After 3 PM” study suggests children should know:
• how to dial 911
• your address and phone number
• the name, location and phone number where Mom and Dad work
• the name, phone number and address of a trusted neighbor
• the name, phone number and address of another emergency contact person, such as a grandparent or family friend

How Can You Make the Latchkey Kid Experience Work?
As with any new endeavor, have a plan. The Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration, a branch of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, suggests parents take the following actions to ensure the latchkey kid experience succeeds:
• At all times, know where your children are, who they are spending time with, and how you can reach them.
• Have your kids check in with you at regular times. A pager, cell phone or a Blackberry can help keep everyone in touch.
• Randomly check that your kids are where they say they are.
• Know what your kids are watching on TV and searching for on the computer.
• Take advantage of the time that you and your child do spend together. Even if you don’t get home from work until fairly late at night, try to spend the rest of the evening in meaningful conversation with your child.

The bottom line, according to Dr. Spruill, is to manage the latchkey arrangement, just as you do other areas of your children’s lives. Keep tabs on what your kids are doing (or not doing), how they handle the responsibility and how willing they are to be a part of the arrangement.

AMY CATES IS A BIRMINGHAM FREELANCE WRITER AND BP COPY EDITOR.