How to convince teen to stay home alone over the summer

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:10 and 12 year olds can pretty much take care of themselves. Not sure why 15 year old needs to be like a babysitter. Just make some rules and they should follow them. Nobody needs a nanny at those ages.

Okay. And since 98% of 10 and 12 year olds still ignore rules and need disciple, then what?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, it’s not the older ones responsibility to babysit.

Why is that?

Full time all summer? It's not her job to be free childcare for that length of time. She didn't choose to have 3 kids. The PARENT(S) did.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, it’s not the older ones responsibility to babysit.

Yes, no one should ever have to do anything they don't want to do. It is not like we owe each other anything, as humans.

Lol seriously? So if your kid doesn’t want to go to school...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, it’s not the older ones responsibility to babysit.

Yes, no one should ever have to do anything they don't want to do. It is not like we owe each other anything, as humans.

Lol seriously? So if your kid doesn’t want to go to school...

Helping out occasionally is one thing. That’s not what is being discussed
And yes kids at those ages need real supervision

[Anonymous]

Udk, it me my best friend and my teen sister all together all summer for several years. Yes, it was boring at times, but we generally had a lot of fun. Yes, I would pay teen a little something

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:At this age, the kids will end up watching tv all day long if left alone. They can't go anywhere without a car, and while it would be nice if they did crafts and read books.. the TRUTH IS they will watch tv and play on the computer ALL DAY LONG

That wouldn't be ok with me. Id hire the many. And everyone also needs some summer camp or fun courses, the 15 year old should get a PT job, etc. Of course, Covid restrictions will make this even harder so I think you REALLY need a nanny this summer because of Covid.

Eh.. you don't know that though. It's a huge generalization to say all they'll do is sit in front of a screen. Not saying you are entirely wrong, but they may not.

[Anonymous]

I say get the nanny. Not only will it provide appropriate supervision for the younger two but it will likely keep the older one from getting in trouble too. That's a dangerous age she's at. Could go one way or the other and depending on which way she goes the next few years of your life could be very difficult. Too much freedom from adults can tip the scales.

[Anonymous]

While I completely agree with the sentiment and think its the right thing to do...I'm trying to picture what my immigrant grandparents and parents would say if I said I needed money in order to watch my younger siblings. Good thing I was a fast runner!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have 3 girls 10, 12 and 14. My oldest will be 15 before the school year is up. We have been using the same girl(who is now college aged) for 4 years as a summer nanny and she is great but I just can’t justify paying her to sit with my teens 7 hours a day. We already enroll them in several camps and even a few sleep away camps. The problem is my oldest is adamant that she wants the nanny there, and she doesn’t like the idea of being “alone.” Do I bring the nanny back for one more year? And have her do what exactly? When we hired her she made the kids food, took them on bike rides, broke up fights, came up with games for rainy days, helped them with chores and took them all kinds of fun places. Other than driving, we just don’t need her anymore.

Do not have your oldest spend her summer babysitting her younger siblings. Granted, they are not little. But that is EXACTLY what is going to happen. She's going to be required to be "in charge" while you're not there.

Not fair.

Your kids. YOU pay for help for another year.

Ridiculous.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, it’s not the older ones responsibility to babysit.

Yes, no one should ever have to do anything they don't want to do. It is not like we owe each other anything, as humans.

Lol seriously? So if your kid doesn’t want to go to school...

Helping out and babysitting once in awhile is not the same thing as looking after siblings for an ENTIRE SUMMER. Are you always this dumb?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So your 15-year-old will be stuck at home with her younger siblings all summer? Are you planning to pay her to babysit? Can she leave them alone in the house? Can they go anywhere fun without a car? She's likely not upset about being "alone," she's worried about being the babysitter and being stuck at home without being able to do anything fun.

100000%

And I would hate this too. Miserable summer so her cheap ass parents can save a few bucks.

[Anonymous]

Ask the oldest about her concerns and then figure out what her plans are for the summer with the Nanny there. Likely change the type of summer help you need from simply a Nanny to a Nanny/Housekeeper role or to a part-time Nanny for certain days or afternoons.

[Anonymous]

My mom left my sister and I alone for a month during the school year when I was 15. Had no problems cooking, cleaning, laundry and walking to school with younger sister. Still hung out with our friends. Actually, my friends were also left alone during the school year or over the summer for a month or so. We were responsible and independent at a young age. *shrugs* definitely wasn't paid, wouldn't even dare to ask or ever say I wasn't interested lol

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would have thought a 10 and 12 year old would be pretty self sufficient. Not much “nannying” needed! And a 15 year old not feeling competent to be alone is deeply weird.

This is what happens when we infantilize children.

What a nasty response. My guess is your kids love it when you leave them alone.

[Anonymous]

Most of the responders seem to be missing that the kids are signed up for various camps and even sleepaway camps. So, it’s not exactly clear what the summer looks like. Is this about every day just from 3-5, or full time for one week because kids have camps the rest of the time...?

Agree kids should not be alone together with no nanny who can drive and no agenda all summer, but OP’s schedule isn’t clear. Maybe you increase the camps you sign up for instead of hiring the nanny?