Anonymous
Post 05/16/2025 09:26     Subject: Would you let a 16yo stay alone in an apartment for an internship
Anonymous wrote:How independent is your kid, generally?

My husband did something very similar at 17 one summer for an internship at a museum, but was attending a boarding school (albeit across the country) so was pretty independent to begin with. His grandmother's friend happened to live in the next town and two aunts were a few hours away. The museum happened to be in a college town (internship not affiliated) and he found a group house with some college students to stay in.

It really depends on the kid, and the level of supervision they have performed under. That summer was a lot more freedom than he had had before, but not a dramatic jump, and a good trial before college.

16 year olds are serving as camp counsellors at sleep away camp, not only are they away from home in addition they are supervising other kids
Anonymous
Post 05/16/2025 09:23     Subject: Would you let a 16yo stay alone in an apartment for an internship
Anonymous wrote:I'm a helicopter parent, but for the right opportunity (not some b.s. fashion internship) and a lot of safeguards ( security desks, GPS tracking, rules on curfew, locking doors, and constant calls ), i might be ok with this.

You need to give a mature 16 yo the chance to make bad decisions. If they were a wild kid with problems, obviously no.
Anonymous
Post 05/16/2025 09:23     Subject: Would you let a 16yo stay alone in an apartment for an internship
I was in college full time at 16
Anonymous
Post 05/16/2025 08:54     Subject: Would you let a 16yo stay alone in an apartment for an internship
16 yo Senior or 16yo Sophomore? Life experience matters most here. If he is well traveled but still only 10th grade, it’s not a good balance.
Anonymous
Post 05/16/2025 08:42     Subject: Would you let a 16yo stay alone in an apartment for an internship
The problem is 99% of all 16 year olds aren’t ready to do this and many posters against are in the 99% bucket.

However, if you have a kid in the 1% (high performing athlete, performer, etc.), then that kid has likely been doing many independent things for years already.

It doesn’t feel that risky for these kids because they probably have years of experience traveling to out of town events and what not which makes a full summer alone not that big of a lift (with common sense precautions).
Anonymous
Post 05/15/2025 17:48     Subject: Re:Would you let a 16yo stay alone in an apartment for an internship
Yes! Absolutely.
So many young professional performing artists (for me it was ballet), do this.
My mom did this too (she just had graduated early from high school (valedictorian) and went straight on to work instead of going to college right away.
If your kid is old enough to hold down a job that pays enough to live on, go for it.
It doesn't mean that its easy or without risk, but if you're asking, my guess is that you want to say "yes" but are scared.
Anonymous
Post 05/15/2025 14:43     Subject: Would you let a 16yo stay alone in an apartment for an internship
No way. Regardless of gender. Yikes.
Anonymous
Post 05/15/2025 14:36     Subject: Would you let a 16yo stay alone in an apartment for an internship
He's only 16?? Nah.

Anonymous
Post 05/15/2025 14:28     Subject: Would you let a 16yo stay alone in an apartment for an internship
Anonymous wrote:I can’t imagine doing this. In a strange city? Like what are they gonna do for fun? Door dash food will quickly figure kid is alone.

16 year olds can make stupid mistakes when bored.

Do you know anyone in the city that they can stay with?


But girls mature faster than boys.
Anonymous
Post 05/15/2025 12:49     Subject: Re:Would you let a 16yo stay alone in an apartment for an internship
A 16 year old can't sign a binding contract in most states, and it is probably unlikely that a landlord will rent to you as the parent if you disclose that your child will be the primary/only occupant. If you lie, you open yourself up to liability.
Anonymous
Post 05/15/2025 12:18     Subject: Re:Would you let a 16yo stay alone in an apartment for an internship
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:A girl, yes. But not a boy.


For me the other way around.


Exactly. Unfortunately, the world is a much more dangerous place for 16 year old girls than boys. I am far less worried about the kid misbehaving and focused on actual safety. Would not want anyone noticing that my daughter was alone. In a doorman building where I knew the front desk people, I would probably be ok, though.


As a mom, and a person who has lived alone in an apartment, I'm not thrilled about anywhere where maintenance/the front desk can have keys to the apartment available 24/7 and might know a teenage girl lives alone. You can't know front desk people to any degree.
Anonymous
Post 05/15/2025 11:50     Subject: Re:Would you let a 16yo stay alone in an apartment for an internship
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:A girl, yes. But not a boy.


For me the other way around.


Exactly. Unfortunately, the world is a much more dangerous place for 16 year old girls than boys. I am far less worried about the kid misbehaving and focused on actual safety. Would not want anyone noticing that my daughter was alone. In a doorman building where I knew the front desk people, I would probably be ok, though.
Anonymous
Post 05/15/2025 11:07     Subject: Would you let a 16yo stay alone in an apartment for an internship
NO!!! HOW is this a question?!
Anonymous
Post 05/15/2025 10:58     Subject: Would you let a 16yo stay alone in an apartment for an internship
No, wait until 18.
Anonymous
Post 05/15/2025 10:56     Subject: Would you let a 16yo stay alone in an apartment for an internship
Just find a home stay for him so that there's an adult under the same roof as him. If the internship frequently takes out of town students, they must have a recommendation. Maybe a local college dorm arrangement that rents in the summer to interns, that way there is supervision and security. Even if he's responsible, keep in mind the legal aspects.