I’d leave a 12 year old alone but not asleep. She is clearly talking about a much younger her kid to “put them to bed” and then go. My 12 year old was just come down and hang out while we had a drink. My 10 and 12 year old stay up as late as we do most nights and certainly on vacation. |
| Nobody is kidnapping unfamiliar children out of hotel rooms. It simply does not happen. Madeleine McCann is an extraordinary case. It happened 15 years ago in a different country. I’ve (unfortunately) read every single page of this discussion and no one has been able to provide a link to a single case of this happening besides Madeleine. |
I wouldn't be afraid of kidnapping but as someone who has worked in hotels over the years, there are some skeevy people who hang out and who work in hotels. And they can access the rooms. Just not worth it. Honestly, I feel like by the time the child was old enough to be left alone in the room (13, 14?), they would be old enough, to come hang out with me in the lobby. So it wouldn't make much of a difference. |
Agree |
| We used to leave our sleeping baby to go get a drink in the hotel, within monitor range. I know I'll get flamed here but based on the number of people I know who have done this, it's not entirely taboo. |
| I don't do this......I have a 15 year old...... |
| OMG this thread is DCUM Gold |
| I flew to a different country and stayed in a hotel by myself at 16, so certainly by then I’d find it reasonable. |
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Grew up in a family with 5 children. Once I was in 4th grade or so, my parents had us in our own hotel room on trips (older sisters were 2 and 3 years older than me). They tried to get adjoining rooms, but I remember once or twice we were on a completely different floor! Everything was fine, but I do remember one night my sisters snuck downstairs for hot chocolate when we were supposed to stay in the room.
My parents weren't the best parents though. Pretty selfish and always wanted their alone time with their 2 youngest which were the only ones who were biologically both of theirs. |
I have done this. Multiple times. My kids are alive. (Once, I did it withOUT a monitor but the table for dinner was on the level below and the window was open so we could hear if he cried). Gasp. |
| I leave my kids in hotel room at 10 and 12. We did this at homestead and ordered them room service while we had a meal downstairs. It was fine! My parents also did this when I was growing up. In 5th grade my best friend and I had our own room next to my parents in San Francisco and we ordered coffee ice cream room service and watched movies. It was grand! Never felt abandoned ever. Y’all saying you’d never let teenagers stay in room alone even if you go to lobby are total weirdos, your poor kids! |
| As a freshman in high school our band trip was a competition in Las Vegas. We all had own rooms at the Excalibur. Some seniors even tried the slots! Haha, yeah we were walking through casinos with no parents and it was a school trip! We were okay. |
Okay then |
| Based on the most recent responses, I guess it depends on your income level. |
Most hotels have a lock on inside of door that prevents any entry, staff included. |