Is Your Teenager Ready for Self Supervision?

There must be trust in any relationship. That includes the relationship between a teenager and their parents. Self supervision is a huge responsibility that not all teenagers are able to handle. There are dangers that must be discussed and skills to be learned before parents consider self supervision as an option. It's important to know you can trust your teenager prior to leaving them without supervision.

Is Self Supervision Appropriate for your Teenager : Age

The legal age at which a teenager may be left alone is 12 in most states. However, self supervision readiness may not occur at this age for all teenagers. There are many factors for parents to consider other than numerical age. For instance, teenagers mature at different ages. At the age of 12 some kids are still too emotionally immature for self supervision.

Is Self Supervision Appropriate for your Teenager : Maturity Level

Maturity makes the difference between good judgment in decision making and coming home to a house full of uninvited guests. If a teenager is still engaging in sneaky behavior it may be best that he is not trusted with self supervision at this time. Emotional maturity also entails being clear headed enough to handle any serious issues that may arise without parents present.

Is Self Supervision Appropriate for your Teenager : Responsibility Level

Parents need to be aware of the responsibility their teenager is capable of taking on. Homework and school are a good indicator of your child's sense of responsibility. Does your teenager keep up with homework and other assignments without being reminded? Is she self sufficient when it comes to being on time for school? If a teenager needs help from parents on these small tasks, they may not be ready for self supervision.

Is Self Supervision Appropriate for your Teenager : Experience Level

What type of experience does your teenager have at supervision? Has she babysat for short stints while parents made trips to the store. How did this work out? Does her job require her to oversee others? This type of responsibility can make her aware of the importance of safety in self supervision. Holding down a steady job requires experience in both self control and reliability.

Is Self Supervision Appropriate for your Teenager : Skill Level

Parents should think about how a teenager handles stressful situations prior to trusting them with self supervision. Does the teenager know what to do in the event of an emergency? Parents might consider sending their teenager to inexpensive first aid classes before allowing them to stay home alone. They may never need this information, but parents will be glad they took this extra step to insure the safety of their teenager and those under his care.

Is self supervision Appropriate for your Teenager : Information Please

It's the responsibility of the parents to be sure their teenager has all the information they will need for self supervision. Let them know where you are going and how long you will be. Leave phone numbers of the people and places you will be visiting. In addition, be sure the teenager has a description of your car and license plate number and your cell number if applicable. This insures that authorities will have no trouble finding you in an emergency. People are aware that this information is posted on the fridge in most households. Last but not least, make rules about self supervision as clear possible for the teenager to understand.

Source :

personal experience