CHILDREN WATCHING THEMSELVES

Many children find themselves coming home from school to an empty house. They come from both two parent households where both parents work and single parent households.

Parents frequently hear their children say, "It's okay mom, I'm old enough to stay home alone." For some, it may not be a comfortable option, but it may be the only one available.

Transportation to some type of after-school care facility simply doesn't work out in some cases. In others, it's a matter of finances.

Jo Boyer, regional coordinator for School Age Care (SAC) Technical Assistance knows about the problem. Boyer monitors child care facilities in 24 Missouri counties.

Although there are many such agencies available, she realizes a great many children still find themselves home alone.

"Chronological age isn't the only criteria to consider when leaving a child alone," said Mary Gosche of the University of Missouri Extension Center in Jackson.

Other considerations will be the focus of the "Old Enough to Stay Alone" program to be presented from 7 to 8:30, Tues., Aug. 3, at the Community Room at Southeast's Main Street Fitness Center at Jackson.

Gosche will be joined by Debbie Leoni, RN, coordinator of Southeast Missouri Hospital's Fitness and Wellness Center, as they try to prepare children and parents for situations that may arise when the need to stay "home alone" develops.

Gosche stresses that this will be a parent/child session. "We want to help them learn to communicate on things they may encounter," she said.

Boyer's concern, however, is not only for the very young children, but also for the pre-teens. "There seems to be a rise in juvenile crimes from 3 to 8 p.m. during the day after school," she said.

Some children are able to handle being alone, but others aren't. They are usually the ones who make the news. When the police become involved the matter is turned over to the prosecuting attorney and some parents face the prospect of being charged with endangering the welfare of a child.

"The ideal situation would be for children never to leave the premises (school)," said Boyer.

Perryville, Popular Bluff and Oak Ridge Elementary have added after-school day care programs to their curriculum. Although an expensive venture, there are state and federal grants available to schools to help offset the cost.