If they are awake, get them together and tell them that you are going to play a game, but they have to do exactly what you say. Don't tell them there is somebody in the house unless you think they are old enough to be of some help. You will only scare them, and they might cry, thus directing the stranger's attention towards you. If you think the stranger is already in the house, see if you are near a door. If you are, take the children and yourself out the door. But before you do that, discreetly check outside. If there is somebody in a car nearby, don't leave. That person might harm you or the children. Go to a neighbor and call 911. If you can't leave, put the children into a room, a bathroom is best. Lock the door. Burglars aren't likely to look in the bathroom for valuables, and they may not even realize you are in there. He probably isn't looking to hurt anybody, just steal things he can sell. The parents will not be mad if their things are gone if the children are fine. Once you are locked into the bathroom or any other room, use the cordless phone if you have it to call 911. Whisper, and tell them your situation. They will tell you what to do next. If you don't have the cordless, and if you safely can, try to lock yourself into a room with a phone. The parents bedroom might have one.
If the Children are asleep
If the children are sleeping, don't wake them. You can do one of two things, and here you really need to use your best judgement. Pretend you are sleeping too. If they think you are asleep, and won't have seen them, they aren't likely to hurt you. If they have already seen you, and you are awake, DO NOT go to the children. Don't bring them into the situation if you don't have to. Lead the stranger as far away from the children as you possibly can get. It is your responsibility to protect the children. He is not likely to bother them if they aren't awake. If you can get outside, do it. Close the door behind you if you can, so that the children are less likely to wake up. There you can scream, and somebody might help, or the stranger might run away. Don't scream help though. Scream FIRE! People always want to see a fire, and there is likely to be several people running towards you, who can help or at least scare the man away. If you can't get outside, try to get to a phone and call 911. Or, if there is one in reach, hit the garage door opener. (This isn't likely that you can do this, but you never know where you will end up) The stranger might think the parents are coming home and run away or head for the garage door, leaving you to call 911.
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