At what age did you leave your teen overnight for the first time?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No, I would not leave a teenager alone overnight. You sound selfish.

So do you consider yourself a helicopter or a snowplow?

I consider myself a steam train. No, I wouldn't leave teenagers alone over night. Its one thing when they go away to college but a 14 year old overnight is asking for trouble.

[Anonymous]

I've left my 14 year old to go out with my husband. We get back no later than 1 am having left the house late evening. I think leaving a child that age home alone until mid-morning is too long.

[Anonymous]

I started at 16. Very occasional (work trips) and ONLY on week nights (to avoid temptations of other teens coming over etc.). It has given my teens a lot of (healthy) independence etc.

If the work trip is more than one night, they go to a friend's house the other night(s) and can stay home alone one night. Of course, we have awesome neighbors that live close by so we have lots of "back up" help.

Teens do well with responsibilities and it's great learning opportunities but I think 14 is a bit young, too.

[Anonymous]

If your kid is comfortable with it I think its ok.

I was left on my own at 14. I usually stayed at a friends house or had a friend stay at mine so I wasnt totally alone.

We have dogs so as long as my DD was comfortable I would feel that she was safe with them in the house too.

[Anonymous]

I am a really relaxed parent and I would not do it. My kids are 14 and 16. I would not tempt them or their friends with the chance to have a party or get into trouble. And now that my 16 year old drives, no chance at all. Of course, I believe they can handle it but supervision is my job. Of course I leave one or both for evenings, but they both know I'm coming home and then I could come home at any time. I really would not feel comfortable.

[Anonymous]

No. Not that young. I'm thinking 16 at the earliest.

I'd also be more likely to leave them with a sibling or close friend, instead of completely alone.

[Anonymous]

It's not worth it because it's a worry. A worry for you. Not because of safety. Not because the kid isn't mature. Not because the kid isn't a responsible, good kid. But because, it's just not worth it. It shouldn't be worth it. Not for "a fun night out". An emergency, yes. No other choice in an emergency, yes.

Op, you've got your priorities wrong

[Anonymous]

I was in college before I stayed home alone. I was nervous to be alone on the house, though (I still don’t love it, to be frank). I think a lot depends on your kid, but 14 does seem young to me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not until college. mostly my son told me his friends would find out and a party would happen and he didn't think he would stop it.

But if you kid that doesn't have that issue I would say Junior year.

+1

And even if your kid is not a partier, all it takes is one text for all hell to break loose.

[Anonymous]

14? No way. Negligent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's not worth it because it's a worry. A worry for you. Not because of safety. Not because the kid isn't mature. Not because the kid isn't a responsible, good kid. But because, it's just not worth it. It shouldn't be worth it. Not for "a fun night out". An emergency, yes. No other choice in an emergency, yes.

Op, you've got your priorities wrong

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No. Not that young. I'm thinking 16 at the earliest.

I'd also be more likely to leave them with a sibling or close friend, instead of completely alone.

+1.

[Anonymous]

OP - I had a kid who was not at all likely too cause any trouble home alone. We wouldn't have been comfortable at 14.

[Anonymous]

18, with a neighbor to make sure he isn’t having a party

[Anonymous]

20 Maybe