Most parents think that it's most important to work at home when their children are young. It's an effort to be there during your child's formative years, to see those first steps, to give them the guidance you feel is needed to have a happy, thriving child.

That's not necessarily incorrect, but parents really should consider working at home when their children hit the teen-age years. Why? Because a 14-year-old is too old for day care, too old for a baby sitter, and way old enough to get into some serious trouble. Statistics show that teen-agers are far more likely to engage in illegal activities and invite unwanted friends over the house including members of the opposite sex (that's despite rules to the contrary) between the hours of 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Why? Because that's when they are alone to do whatever they want.

Historically, kids who are left alone after school are called latchkey kids. Studies have shown such kids are often asked to do things, such as provide childcare for younger siblings, clean, cook, etc., that they are not emotionally ready to handle. Although teens will rarely complain about being alone after school, many don't like it or are even frightened to enter an empty house.

It's tough for parents, who are grateful to finally have a child old enough to not need constant supervision. The truth is, it doesn't matter how mature your child is or how well-behaved, if you're not home, the chances of them doing something you don't want them to is greatly increased. Teen-agers simply don't have the reasoning skills they need to cope with some of the temptations they'll face when unsupervised.

But if you work at home, even if you're not directly supervising your child, your mere presence will prevent them from doing things they shouldn't.

Another thing to consider is that kids don't really want to be alone. They want a parent there. It's comforting to them to have mom or dad home when they get back from school. If something bad or good happened at school, there is someone there for them to talk to.

Pure economics can make staying at home difficult. But today, with the ability to telecommute and the number of Internet-based home businesses, parents have more options than they did just a few years ago. If you have a job, ask your employer if you can work from home in the afternoons. Or consider starting a home-based business, as thousands of people have done. If you have a teen-ager, it may just be the best decision you'll make.