The plan is for BS to take the bus home from school next year. Most days I work from home, but some days I will be in the office and he will be home alone for a couple of hours.

He has taken a Home Alone class so he has the basics.

I have went over lots of different scenarios with him and have walked through any possible issues we may have.

I trust that all will be good once he is in the house. I can trust him that he will do his homework, watch tv, play on his DS until I get home.

Here are some of the things I plan on doing or have told him.

If I have missed anything or if anyone has anything to add I would appreciate it.

- tie the house key on a string inside his bookbag so he doesn't lose it.

- have him come right in, lock the door and call me as soon as he gets home.

-no distractions when getting off the bus and walking to the house (its literally less then a minute away). I want to make sure he doesnt have his face in a book or is talking to another kid. Get off the bus and walk straight home. Pay attention to surroundings.

- I am going to get him a cell phone. My thought is to keep it at the house and he can then use it to call me at work when he gets home. I didnt want him taking it to school and messing with it. (something new to him) But what if something happened and he couldnt get in the house (for whatever reason) and he didnt have a way to call me to let me know what is going on. I thought about letting him take it to school, ringer off, but then I dont know if he will remember to put the ringer on when he gets home. I am going to start him with a basic phone. I know the fancier phones you can turn on do not disturb except for certain numbers.

Anything else anyone can add. Thanks!