Would you leave your 17 year old home alone for 2 days over the weekend?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My 17 year old is going to London at the end of September to start college. We started leaving him alone at home for a few days at a time a few months ago. That way, he will come out of his room and enjoys his home because otherwise he stays holed up in his room. He has a summer job so that gives him some daily structure.
The fact that he is going abroad for college expedited the process of giving him more responsibility. I'm not worried about what he does at home; I'm more worried about the deep drinking culture in the UK.

Your 17 year old is probably 18 soon and graduated high school. Big difference.

[Anonymous]

Is there a reason why it's a big deal just to have her older brother stay there? I'd go with that route unless it is not convenient for him

[Anonymous]

I left my 15 yo for two nights with a permission to use the stove. He shopped, cooked, etc.
his dad was 7 mins away if needed.
We live in a small apartment so I wasn’t worried about parties.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DH has a work trip that he’d like me to attend a few hours away from where we live . DD17 doesn’t want to come along. I’m not sure if we should let her stay alone. She’s not a partier so I’m not worried about that. But, we’ve never left her alone overnight before. She’s willing to stay alone and is responsible. I guess I’m just overly anxious. So considering all this, should we?

The issue isn't if she is a partier. The issue is that if word gets out on SM that parents are away (and it always gets out), 50+ kids will show up and trash the house

[Anonymous]

No. I would skip the trip. It’s not a necessity.

[Anonymous]

No way. And mine wouldn’t want to stay alone. Take them with you and just get a second room.

[Anonymous]

Guys, it is 2025, not 1985. Kids don't show up en masse, uninvited, to parentless houses and throw massive ragers. Some of you watched too much John Hughes.

a 17 year old is absolutely fine home alone. assuming she is a new senior...yes.

Let her practicwe indepenence!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes I think so. I’d leave my 16yo Junior home alone for the weekend if the need arose. I’d let our next door neighbor know, and also my a long time friend who lives down the street (who I have done the same favor for).

I left my just turned 17 year old home alone for four days at the end of his junior year. It really is okay, people.

[Anonymous]

Yes, I would.

She is old enough to be the babysitter. Just check up on her and turn the alarm on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DH has a work trip that he’d like me to attend a few hours away from where we live . DD17 doesn’t want to come along. I’m not sure if we should let her stay alone. She’s not a partier so I’m not worried about that. But, we’ve never left her alone overnight before. She’s willing to stay alone and is responsible. I guess I’m just overly anxious. So considering all this, should we?

You don’t need to selfishly go away on your husband’s work trip. Stay home and parent. If anything happens to your DC, you are to blame.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DH has a work trip that he’d like me to attend a few hours away from where we live . DD17 doesn’t want to come along. I’m not sure if we should let her stay alone. She’s not a partier so I’m not worried about that. But, we’ve never left her alone overnight before. She’s willing to stay alone and is responsible. I guess I’m just overly anxious. So considering all this, should we?

You don’t need to selfishly go away on your husband’s work trip. Stay home and parent. If anything happens to your DC, you are to blame.

Are you medicated for your idiocy? If not, I would pursue it immediately.

[Anonymous]

NP. The number of people saying no in this thread is absolutely wild to me. For a responsible kid with a nearby older brother, how is it even a question? No wonder Gen Z is so anxious and sad. Few parents have faith in them and they have no chance to be confident and practice independence.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We left them alone but they could only make food in the microwave and the toaster oven (both with timers so would turn off).

Cooking on a hot stove is probably the most dangerous thing to do in the house.


We also had her call us everyday after showing, as that’s the second most dangerous thing.

Agreed, in college you will have neighbors, RAs, maybe even roommates. As a solo in a SFH you are very isolated.

This is ultimate hovering. If I didn’t feel my kid kid was capable of showering safely or using the stove, I wouldn’t go

[Anonymous]

We would let our 16 year old son stay home alone for a couple days. We are close friends with neighbors on two sides, and his best friend lives a few doors down. He’s already driving himself to and from school, practices, and work and has proven to be responsible with that freedom. The dangers of being in the house alone seem minor by comparison.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:NP. The number of people saying no in this thread is absolutely wild to me. For a responsible kid with a nearby older brother, how is it even a question? No wonder Gen Z is so anxious and sad. Few parents have faith in them and they have no chance to be confident and practice independence.

+1

Anonymous wrote:We would let our 16 year old son stay home alone for a couple days. We are close friends with neighbors on two sides, and his best friend lives a few doors down. He’s already driving himself to and from school, practices, and work and has proven to be responsible with that freedom. The dangers of being in the house alone seem minor by comparison.

This. We recently did so for our youngest (rising Senior but still only 16) when we moved older sib into their first apt at college. Long-time neighbors knew, DC checked in, and all was well. And, she actually missed us. It was a successful experiment and a huge win-win. She felt trusted and we could confirm were raising a responsible young person.