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The Role of Responsibility
How Much Is Too Much? By Gail Pirics
"Your first child may have no trouble staying at home alone at 10 or 11, while a sibling at the same age cannot do it," Bongiorno says. "You need to tailor your plan by family and by family member."
When siblings are involved, decide whether or not they can stay alone together. "A 13-year-old may be quite capable of caring for other children and staying home alone, but if he doesn't get along with your 12-year-old, it's not a good idea for them to be home together without a parent if they are prone to fighting," Bongiorno says.
On a typical day in the Florian household, Dana, 14, gets the mail, starts the laundry and prepares dinner. Joe, 12, picks up after the dog in the yard and dusts. (Cutting the lawn is only allowed with parental supervision.) Carly, 10, sets the table and helps Dana with dinner by peeling vegetables.
All of the children pitch in with hauling out the weekly garbage and recycling and are responsible for folding and putting away their laundry and keeping their rooms clean.
"Our biggest cleaning day is Thursday – the day we have decided all the laundry will be done so our weekend is free," Susan Florian says. "Dana loves to go to football games on Friday nights, and all of the kids enjoy weekend boating, go-carting and wave-running, so Thursday is the day you'll see everybody whipping it into shape."
For the most part, Susan Florian feels the hectic weekday routine runs smoothly. Says Florian, "We have our occasional bickering, but that's to be expected."