Today, out of 34 million children ages 6 to 13, three quarters have a working parent. As a result, nearly 10 million kids come home from school each day to an empty house. Is your child OK while he's home alone?

As a child of a working single parent, I remember well being 11 years old and trudging down our empty driveway in the afternoon as the school bus roared away. I'd take my house key from my book bag, unlock our kitchen door and hesitate a moment at the quietness of the house.

Of course, things looked up considerably once I had a bowl of potato chips in hand and "Gilligan's Island" on the tube. Homework and chores seemed miles away — until Mom called each afternoon with studying orders and her plea to empty the dishwasher.

Today, as a working mom of children too young to be left alone, I fret about the day when they'll have their own house keys. Just like the majority of parents who work and leave their children on their own after school every day, I'll be anxious about my children's safety.

Is He Ready?

How can a parent tell when a child is ready to stay home alone? According to child-care experts, there is no specific age when children are ready to stay home alone, because most children mature at different rates; Tennessee's regulations regarding children being left alone are lax: According to the Department of Human Services (DHS) Information Officer, Margie Maddox, Tennessee offers no parental guidelines for parents wishing to leave their children by themselves, but rather advises that "parent's use their best judgement."

Child Protection Services in other states recommend the following guidelines: Children ages 11 to 12 can be left alone for a short time, but not for a complete work shift; children ages 13 and older can be left unattended during the day, but should never be left alone overnight. Guidelines aside, perhaps it's most important to know if your child feels comfortable being home alone and has the levelheadedness to handle an emergency. DHS does recommend that the maturity level of the child be considered first and foremost.

The National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies advises that when considering your child's maturity level and ability to handle a variety of situations, see if you can answer "yes" to most of the following questions. If so, your child may be ready to be left alone:

• Has he handled brief periods of being left alone well?
• Will he come straight home after school?
• Can he manage simple jobs like fixing a snack and taking phone messages?
• Is he physically able to unlock and lock the doors at home?
• Can he solve small problems himself?
• Does he know when and how to seek outside help?
• Is he prepared to handle an accident or an emergency?
• Will he follow the rules set for him and use his time productively?

Naturally, you'll need to have a heart-to-heart conversation with your child. Listen to his feelings and concerns. Starting self-care may not be a good idea during a period of increased stress, such as a move to a new home, a divorce or death in the family.

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