How to Play Outside in "Dangerous" Neighborhood?

Honestly, it's not very safe for a nine year old boy to be wandering around outside by himself. In many states, it's actually against the law for a child that young to stay home alone much less be in and out. Could his mother sign him up for aftercare at school? Something through the Boys and Girls club? YMCA? They'd all have outdoor components, and would help him socialize and keep busy - rather than just spending the afternoon by himself in his apartment. Many of those places will have a sliding cost scale so it could be more affordable than she expects.

No matter what neighborhood, if my nine year old were home alone in the afternoons, he would be indoors as well. I would worry about playing in the street and other accidents with him outside. Which really makes no sense since most accidents happen in the home. But it's what I would be most comfortable with.

I would suggest she look into either an after school program, Boys and Girls Club or the big brother program.

Afterschool care. Said by a former latchkey kid from the age of 8. I spent a lot of long afternoons in the house because we were home alone. It's really NOT a safe decision, esp. given the neighborhood.

Moreover, does he know how to do common sense things, like put out a toaster fire or basic first aid? I think this is too much for a kid his age. And if his mom can't be sure he's not going outside, then not a good solution, period. That's a LONG time to be home alone.

Oh, and she should be aware that sometimes the neighbors will call CPS if they see a child home for hours alone, too. That happened to us on more than one occasion.

Can she enroll him in an after school program? My son's aftercare goes up to middle school and the kids are outside in a park for at least an hour a day (sometimes the whole time from 4 pm until 6. When the weather is bad, they have an indoor gym or make art.

If she's a single mom living in a bad neighborhood, she likely can't afford after school care, if she makes more than would give her a subsidy, but not enough to have extra money. Even the YMCA or Boys and Girls club will run you a couple hundred a month (at minimum). I know I struggled with paying for after school care and I make a fairly decent income - it's just really tough when you only have one income that is typically not great.

Most after school care closes at 5 or 5:30 - usually not past 6. For a working mom with a communte it's hard to get there by that time. So riding the bus home from school may be the only way he can get home from school.

I would suggest that she "trade out" with another parent. They do "after-school", she takes the kid overnight on Saturday. This way it's free for both of them.

I used to live in Chicago (in a "bad" neighborhood, where I paid $1200 per month rent, by the way.... yet drive by shooting and police raids happened on a more-than-weekly basis). My daughter NEVER played outside. However, when I picked her up from after-school, I had packed a dinner and we would drive to park outside of our neighborhood and "picnic" and then she could play. She can also try that.

Figuring out a way to afford after school care at the YMCA or local church or some other organization.

When we were in Texas, there was state help with things like child care, I am sure there are other states that do this as well. If your sister lives in a rough neighborhood and is a single parent I feel that I can assume she meets the requirements to take advantage of said help.

Aside from the "dream" answer of moving to a better neighborhood the only option I see making sense is trying to make an afterschool care program work for them.

I looked it up and 12 is the recommendation, but no law regarding age in MN. I too do not think a 9yr old being home alone is terribly safe - no matter the neighborhood.

The local Boys and Girls Club, YMCA or other after school care program.

In my neighborhood you can't beat the Boys and Girls club for supervision, fun, sports, homework help and very low fees. We even bus from the schools. I hope there is a similar situation there, because 9 years olds deserve supervision.

Added - Wow! I read another post about fees. I guess you have to check your local area. Our Boys and Girls Club fees are $25 a year and that can be waved if necessary!

Great suggestions so far. The previous mamas have posted about after school programs. I would suggest to check into scholarships for after school care if she doesn't qualify for a subsidy. Check the Minneapolis Park and Rec. Centers to see if there is one in her area/close to your nephew's school. What about any families in her apt. building that would be willing for him to come and hang out, even if it's for 2 afternoons a week. Check churches for some after school help from a trustworthy teenager. Get a listing of licensed daycares in her area. Maybe your sister could talk to her employer and see if there is a way to change hours-even if she could get out earlier some of the days. Good luck. 9 years old is young-please make sure he is safe.

Safer being home. He is not the only one, sad to say, that does not get out after school. Maybe a friends Mom could have him over once and a while.

Does he have a YMCA nearby? He could just go there and do the drop in programs, not the after school care. (I know it isn't outdoors, but it is active play as opposed to being cooped up in an apartment.) Children's YMCA memberships are quite inexpensive, and if they are low income then they can qualify for a subsidy. If not a YMCA, maybe a neighbourhood pool or rec center?

Can he go to an after school activity? My kids old elementary school offered intramural sports. There was also a YMCA program for kids whose parents worked. Otherwise short of moving to a nicer neighborhood I think he has to stay inside too.

after-school care - it's called SAC here (School aged care). Sponsored by the school. Stays at school until 6:30 - that's their time to close.

Walks from last class to SAC. Doesn't leave the grounds....

Talk to another parent that she trusts that lives in the same school district and better neighborhood to watch her son after school.

We have my son in the YMCA, he is 5 and LOVES it. They do many different things, sometimes indoors sometimes out doors depending on the weather.

Does she qualify income wise for help with daycare? If she does a lot of schools have before and after school programs that he could go to. They have outside playtime. But I would offer absolutely no tips for allowing a 9 year old to play outside alone unattended in a dangerous neighborhood. She could be in trouble just for having him home alone.

Does her school have EDS (Extended Day Service)?
Even in my suburban, safeer neighborhood, my 10 year old wouldn't be allowed out running the neighborhood.

Free after school programs. I taught free dance classes for years at my school.

In this neighborhood there is no way I'd let even a young teen stay home alone. If he got shot through the wall or something and couldn't get to the phone? No way, not in that neighborhood.

Most child care centers will take kids up to 10, 11, or 12. Some even have teen aid programs where a young teen can be a teachers aid. They can help cut, organize, what ever the teacher needs. Their work goes towards paying their child care.