Youth program helps Families create safe, healthy environment

By Ms Sina Kingsbury (USAREUR)February 9, 2012

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Froilan Ibanez, a fifth grade student, makes a yogurt snack during an imAlone class at Warner Barracks' John F. Kennedy Teen Center Friday. imAlone, a Child, Youth and School Services program, provides guidance and tools to parents and their children... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

BAMBERG, Germany -- Irregular duty hours can often create conflict between mission readiness and parental responsibility for some Soldiers and their family members.

When it comes to deciding if a child is mature or responsible enough to be left alone, there are some strategies and safety rules that will help parents make this decision.

Child, Youth and School Services offers imAlone, a program for parents that provides guidance and tools to help their children be safe and healthy while staying alone at home.

"Parents, I think, are going to leave kids alone anyway," said Annemarie McQueen, assistant director of Outreach Services and the program facilitator. "Might as well help facilitate the children and parents."

The three-hour class creates an open dialog between parents and their children on subjects like house rules, how to answer the phone and emergency situations.

McQueen believes that parents need to be the ones to explain and discuss with their children about the home alone guidelines, not herself.

"Parents should be the first to determine the rules," McQueen said.

Because maybe one parent wants their child to use the dishwasher while they are gone and another does not, McQueen said.

"I can't tell children that," she said.

During the class, McQueen has the children create an imAlone booklet with important paperwork and teaches the children how to make healthy no bake snacks.

She also talks with the children about being home alone and the emotions that come with it.

Jazmin Lewis, a fifth grader from Bamberg Elementary School, says she enjoys time to herself in a household of several siblings, but understands that her parents are always with her no matter the distance.

"Parents are always there for you," said Jazmin. "My parents always tell me if there is an emergency...there is an emergency number to call and they will always come home."

Classmate Dezire Maldonado agrees that her parents always have her best interests in mind when she is left alone at home.

"They check up on me every 15 minutes," said Dezire.

The next class will be Apr. 21 from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The class is free and open to parents and children ages 11-18 years of age. Children must be registered with CYSS.

For more information, call 0951-300-8660.