wwyd?? debate my life....or at least

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
wwyd?? debate my life....or at least
2
Thu, 06-30-2005 - 8:11pm

give your opinion..and be honest, please.

I have been not working full time for a year now-I am taking classes online and working like 4-12 hrs a wking pt time. We are at point where we really need more money coming in, we really could not afford for me to not have my job,but they could not understand about my needs to take care of my AS son-they just did not "get it". Anyways, I applied for a full time job and it is looking good-the only problem I see is the fact that I would be gone from 830 to 530-meaning when Jake(12, AS) got home from school I would not be home. He would be home for app 3 hours by himself unless my dh got home from work early(which is possible if they finish early-he delivers for Lowe's) . Do you think Jake could handle this? He did it in 5th grade but was only here for 2 hrs(if that) by himself. I just dont know I guess I need to weigh the pros and cons....anyone work ft and have an older child?

Thanks in advance...

Liza

Avatar for maresgood
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Thu, 06-30-2005 - 9:59pm
Hi, I have worked part-time 8-4 since my dd's were little. They are 12 & 16. My older dd & dh work & there are times when my younger dd (AS age 12) is left alone. She knows the rules. Stay in the house, no bike riding, no cooking or lighting candles (one of her obsessions ),she can watch TV or use computer or read only. She is very much a loner & likes being alone to read the school directory or yearbook over & over. She also has an IPOD which was a good investment as she likes to listen to music. I feel like I can leave her for an hour or two. I would try leaving your son for a test run. Make calls home to check on him. Does he get into mischief when left alone? These are some questions you need to ask. Good Luck, Mary Ann
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Fri, 07-01-2005 - 12:09am

Well, each child with AS is different so it is hard to say. If you left him for 2 hours a day in 5th grade then it is likely he could do 3 now. 3 is not that much different than 2 and he is much older.

That said, I just started letting my 11 year old cross the street (our very quiet street) on her own to let the cat out at the neighbors, and I still watch her as she goes. I am overprotective I know, but Cait has very little problem solving skills and poor awareness. She is an easy target and if something happened that I hadn't prepared her for in the first place, she wouldn't know what to do at all. Even things I prepare her for she forgets. I would not leave her for 3 hours. Not daily. I have let her stay home when she was sick and I was picking the other kids up at school which is tops a 15 minute trip if I get stuck in school traffic. Mike (9 1/2)I won't leave at all and I doubt I will be able to at 11 or 12 either. Definitely not for extended periods. But all kids are different, I just know mine are not ready for that and won't be for a very long time.

Renee

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