Would you let a 16yo stay alone in an apartment for an internship

[Anonymous]

DS has the opportunity to do an internship in another city. From a logistics standpoint, it would be difficult to stay with him the entire time. We could stay weekends but he may need to spend 2 nights alone every week.

Would you be ok with a 16yo staying alone for a few days per week?

I would not leave him alone for the whole summer. He is very responsible and we would secure an apt within a block or two of his workplace.

[Anonymous]

Yes

[Anonymous]

No!

[Anonymous]

I'm a helicopter parent, but for the right opportunity (not some b.s. fashion internship) and a lot of safeguards ( security desks, GPS tracking, rules on curfew, locking doors, and constant calls ), i might be ok with this.

[Anonymous]

So entirely kid dependent its hard to answer. Leaning towards yes on this description, but you know your kid. I was flying basically solo (by choice!) At 15 abroad but I also have a kid where that wouldn't work at all. So...probably? Maybe?

[Anonymous]

No internship at that age is worth the hassle.

[Anonymous]

Yes. We let our 16 year old spend 3-4 nights alone every week last summer as she was working at the beach and we were back in DC. She was comfortable with it which was key. She biked to work each day, biked for groceries, cooked for herself, etc.

[Anonymous]

I don't think this is a very good idea.

Does he have a driver's license?

Does he know how to use his medical benefits and your insurance?

Does he know how to cook safely and use items such as a fire extinguisher?

I would feel better about an apartment with maintenance and a security desk than home alone.

Also I think males are less likely to be targeted by creeps.

Does he look tall and old for his age?

[Anonymous]

Only if it was a very safe area AND he had like 2 local emergency contacts that you know reasonably well who could help in an emergency. Old family friend, colleague, 2nd cousin or whatever that you have kept in touch with. Otherwise I really would not be comfortable with it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't think this is a very good idea.

Does he have a driver's license?

Does he know how to use his medical benefits and your insurance?

Does he know how to cook safely and use items such as a fire extinguisher?

I would feel better about an apartment with maintenance and a security desk than home alone.

Also I think males are less likely to be targeted by creeps.

Does he look tall and old for his age?

He does look old for his age. He can easily pass as a college student. He is mature and responsible. I don’t worry about him getting into trouble.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm a helicopter parent, but for the right opportunity (not some b.s. fashion internship) and a lot of safeguards ( security desks, GPS tracking, rules on curfew, locking doors, and constant calls ), i might be ok with this.

+1

Possibly this. A very secure apartment would be a requirement. Also it would make a difference to me if the city was 1.5hrs away from me or 6hrs (is it somewhere I can get to fairly quickly if needed, or not). Also will he have anyone local at all to call upon if needed.

[Anonymous]

Absolutely not

[Anonymous]

I mean maybe. But this seems like a giant hassle for everyone. What teen wants to spend his summer alone in an apartment every night? It’s not so much staying on his own but summers are for letting loose with friends at this age..

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No internship at that age is worth the hassle.

This^.

[Anonymous]

Is that legal?