Leaving tween/teen home over summer

[Anonymous]

With my imminent RTO order, I won’t be able to work from home this summer as previously thought. Do you let your responsible tween/teen stay home alone during the summer? I’m not talking all summer long, but probably two or three weeks. I can find specialty camps for the rest of the summer.

[Anonymous]

How old a teen and for how many weeks? I would have different suggestions for a 12-year-old versus a 17-year-old.

[Anonymous]

I did. But I found she was bored and last minute asked me to find things for her.

[Anonymous]

Are you saying you are home at night and available for emergencies? Then yes, based on how responsible the kid is teens and likely most tweens are fine at home. I would not leave them overnight alone though. Just need one trip to the ER to remind you why that is not a good idea.

[Anonymous]

Yes. I do think it a bit depends on the teen. Will she spend all summer scrolling SM and spiraling with FOmo? That would be my biggest concern. Does she have friends that are nearby that she can walk or bike to, or can she take a public bus to meet them at the mall or ice cream shop?
I might also check with friends parents and see if there are a couple weeks of camp they can do together that would be a fun way to break up the summer a bit. If a HSer I would also have them taking an online summer school class or doing SAT prep.

[Anonymous]

No. One day? Sure. Two hours each day? Probably. But three weeks? No, that’s asking for trouble.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No. One day? Sure. Two hours each day? Probably. But three weeks? No, that’s asking for trouble.

If you can afford camps great, but most people do leave teens home over the summer because they can't afford hundreds of dollars a week in camp fees. Life has still continued for those kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How old a teen and for how many weeks? I would have different suggestions for a 12-year-old versus a 17-year-old.

Tween/teen can range from 10 to 19. Very different situations. But generally, yes, I would let them be home alone.

[Anonymous]

Of course they can stay home alone. Ask them if they want to do any camps or activities. Or a job if they are old enough.

[Anonymous]

This is how I grew up. We've told our kids that they can walk to swim practice and spend the day at the pool and either walk home when they're done, or we'll pick them up after work. At least they have the pool

[Anonymous]

I was babysitting as a tween. Depends on the kid of course, but most people I know wouldn't have any qualms about leaving a reasonably smart, responsible kid home alone.

[Anonymous]

If you’re asking this question, I think it’s going to be a good opportunity for growth for your kid when she gets away from the helicopter.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you’re asking this question, I think it’s going to be a good opportunity for growth for your kid when she gets away from the helicopter.

Absolutely!

[Anonymous]

Yep of course that is fine.

I’d try to have them do at least something structured every day (a list of chores and/or supplemental academic work). Nothing major, but something to take up an hour or two.

If they are anything like mine, left to their own devices they will sleep the morning away. Which for a few weeks is not a big deal.

I’d definitely also help them find things out of the house to do on some of the days- especially if you or DH might have any flexibility in your schedule (I know some don’t). For example you could drop them at the movies or the pool etc, tag teaming pickup with your DH. Or team up with a parent of their friend(s)- one can pickup the other drop off. Stuff like that. Or maybe a local grandparent or neighbor might be willing to give a ride once or twice. If you’ve been working from home all these years, I’m guessing you have done a lot of favors (this is the case for me anyway!). I’d brainstorm a little. Obviously I’m assuming they are not yet old enough to drive. .

[Anonymous]

Do you mean you'll have a teen and tween at home together? In that case, definitely. With two in the house it won't be a problem. Your real issue will be boredom. My DCs are lucky enough to have things within walking distance so they can get out of the house during the day. They're all older now, but when they were a little younger I would have a loose schedule for them to follow and chores to complete or dinners to make.