What type of childcare for leaving teens home alone for a long weekend?

[Anonymous]

I have kids exactly these ages and agree with the others. Have someone be there for dinner and to spend the night. Mine would be totally fine alone during the day unless they need to be driven somewhere (I’d likely arrange rides with friends).

[Anonymous]

13 is a little young to leave overnight with a 15 yo sibling. I’d have someone stay overnight only.

[Anonymous]

I would leave them by themselves. Who doesn’t have a ring/camera now a days? You would know who is or isn’t coming out of the house. I would let them DoorDash. No leaving the house though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn’t leave them overnight at all. Someone responsible needs to stay at the house. You need to wait a few more years. You and DH can handle it.

Are you kidding me. Kid is almost 16 years old. There is something very, very wrong if a 16 year old cannot handle himself and watch his brother overnight. He will be in college soon!

I have boys these ages (15.5 and 13.5) and honestly the older one would be fine alone overnight- with close nearby friends available if he needs anything. Hasn’t come up yet, but I could see giving it serious consideration for one night. Not a long weekend though. But with his younger brother? No way. Two teen boys together is more problematic than one alone and siblings tend to squabble. Also I don’t think it is fair for the older one to be “in charge” for several days straight. Just a bad dynamic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn’t leave them overnight at all. Someone responsible needs to stay at the house. You need to wait a few more years. You and DH can handle it.

Are you kidding me. Kid is almost 16 years old. There is something very, very wrong if a 16 year old cannot handle himself and watch his brother overnight. He will be in college soon!

Then, how about waiting until they are actually 18 and in College?

It is irresponsible and poor parenting to leave your 16yr. old alone and on top, caring for a younger sibling for 4 days. See what CPS thinks?,

[Anonymous]

Would friends be an option? We did this for a 14yo friend of DD’s recently. Same school and grade and the friend lives 2 blocks away. The parents left early Fri AM and came back late Mon night. The friend slept here Fri and Sat night, and slept at her own house the last night. Had some sports stuff on Saturday that the parents arranged rides for (with a teammate). On Sunday she and my DD hung out at her house during the day doing homework, watching tv etc. She was in communication with her parents the whole time and they have cameras, can track her phone etc and next door neighbors were aware also. This was last spring (freshman in HS).

It worked fine for all and was no trouble at all for us.

[Anonymous]

I'd have someone spend the night, but my teen is less responsible than how you've described yours. I'd be less worried about the daytime (unless they need to be driven anywhere) and more about the evening.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would leave them by themselves. Who doesn’t have a ring/camera now a days? You would know who is or isn’t coming out of the house. I would let them DoorDash. No leaving the house though.

Op here. We arm the alarm every night when we go to bed and we have sensors everywhere including every bedroom upstairs. We also have countless cameras in and out of the house. Also live in a semi gated community with 24-7 security.

Dh thinks we need someone to drive and feed them but not necessarily overnight.

[Anonymous]

Do you have good neighbors nearby? I would feel ok with a trusted neighbor a hundred yards away or so but not directly in my house.

[Anonymous]

I agree with the others that they’re actually young for that many days.

It’s ironic that people here are terrified to leave their 8 year olds at a drop off play date but somehow expect young teens to have the maturity and independence to stay home along for several days.

[Anonymous]

I would be fine leaving these kids overnight. But, ALL of my neighbors would definitely text me if they had people over. I would have the nanny come over for afternoon driving, dinner and stay until 10 or 11pm when she can see the kids are winding down.

[Anonymous]

Oh my, how is this even a question?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would be fine leaving these kids overnight. But, ALL of my neighbors would definitely text me if they had people over. I would have the nanny come over for afternoon driving, dinner and stay until 10 or 11pm when she can see the kids are winding down.

I would be pissed as your neighbor that you were irresponsible to leave two kids home alone to go on vacation.

[Anonymous]

This reminds me of the episode of Malcolm in the Middle when Lois and Hal got a babysitter for the boys who was younger than Reese and the same age as Malcolm.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I agree with the others that they’re actually young for that many days.

It’s ironic that people here are terrified to leave their 8 year olds at a drop off play date but somehow expect young teens to have the maturity and independence to stay home along for several days.

Not the same people. Duh.