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Q. My daughter is in 6th grade. My husband and I both work and he thinks she's old enough to be home alone after school. I don't think she needs a baby sitter but don't want her there alone. What do you think?

A. It's a tricky age. Girls in the 6th grade can look and act much older than their years. Assuming she's a responsible child who hasn't been in trouble, let's look for ways to help her transition from having a baby sitter to having full independence. 

Call the school and find out what after-school activities are available to her there. Be sure you can pick her up or that she has a safe ride home. Check with your church or community center about activities for her. She still needs some direction and monitoring so you want a supervised activity. Get her involved in something most every day. Call the program director periodically to be sure she is attending and that the program is still right for her. 

If she does get home before you do, be sure she calls to check in and that she knows, and abides by, the rules of your home. Those should include: no visitors, homework done before TV or the telephone, and whatever afternoon chores you establish for her. 

Ease into this new phase but don't stop monitoring her activities, her friends, her grades. She's on her way - but you're not done yet!

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