孩子能独自在家吗

字幕原文

At some point, many parents face the same question. 许多父母在某个时候都会面临同一个问题。

When is it okay to leave a child home alone? 什么时候可以把孩子独自留在家？

It is harder than it sounds, and age alone won't answer it. 这比听起来要难，光凭年龄无法给出答案。

Two things matter more. 有两件事更重要。

First, 首先，

how mature is your child? 你的孩子有多成熟？

Can they follow rules, 他们能遵守规则吗？

keep themselves busy, 能自己找事做吗？

and stay calm if something unexpected happens? 并在发生意外时保持冷静吗？

Many 10-year-olds can manage an hour or so. Others simply aren't ready. 许多十岁的孩子可以独自待一小时左右。但有些孩子还没准备好。

Second, 其次，

how safe is your neighborhood? 你的社区安全吗？

And is there a trusted neighbor nearby 附近有没有值得信任的邻居

who could check in? 可以帮忙照看一下？

When you do begin, prepare them. 当你开始让他们独处时，要做好准备。

Set clear rules about friends, snacks, the phone. 制定关于朋友、零食和电话的明确规则。

Post important numbers where they can see them. 把重要的电话号码贴在他们能看到的地方。

Teach a few calm what to do. 教他们如何冷静处理一些事情。

if the doorbell rings, if a stranger calls, 如果门铃响了，如果陌生人打电话来，

if there's an emergency. 如果发生紧急情况。

Then start small, a quick errand, and build up from there. 然后从小事开始，比如让他们独自待一会儿去办个小差事，然后逐渐增加时间。

One last thing worth knowing. 还有最后一件事值得知道。

Being old enough to stay alone is not the same 能够独自一人待在家，这与...不同。

as being old enough to watch a younger brother 能够照顾弟弟

or sister. 或妹妹。

Independence comes one careful step at a time, 独立是一步一个脚印，谨慎地实现的。

for the child 对于孩子而言，

and for the parent learning to trust it. 对于学习信任孩子的父母而言。