Sick teens - home alone

[readitandwept]

My DS almost 15 has quite a bad cold. I think he's got a tough night ahead of him. I don't really want to make him go to school tomorrow. He is never off sick, but he is struggling tonight and struggling to sleep.

But I can't not be at work tomorrow, and have no one else he can go to.

AIBU to leave him home alone while I go to work?

Feels like I could be asking a ridiculous question either way! It's just a cold, and he'll no doubt sleep til lunchtime, but I feel guilty at the thought.

[user1494670108]

Unless he has asthma or some reason to worry about a cold developing then of course you can leave him.
Leave some lunch out and remind him to stay in bed and drink lots

[MaryPeary]

He's 15 - it's fine! He'd probably be embarrassed 6 to be fussed over as if he was 7 anyway. You just need to check that he has what he'll need handy, as @Wearywithteens says (love that username ).
A normal 15 year old should be able to look after himself for the day, even if he has a cold.

[Episcomama]

My 11 year old stayed home today with a bad stomach. 15 I wouldn't hesitate!

[BackforGood]

I can't believe it is even a question at 14. (As you haven't mentioned any special needs)
Of course you can.

Probably won't even miss you before about 1pm as he'll still be sleeping.

[JustDanceAddict]

Definitely fine. I’ve left sick teens loads. The only time I’d probably not Is with d&v.

[Bouledeneige]

I would leave my teen and have done loads. I feel sorry for them but I have to go to work. They tend to just sleep or watch stuff in their laptop so apart from drinks and food there is t much you can do for them.

[AgnesGrundy]

If they just need to sleep off a cold (no temperature or vomiting and no underlying health issue) I'd leave them home in bed from 10 or 11, let alone 15...

[AgnesGrundy]

My kids are hardly ever off partly because I've always made them stay in bed if ill - these days I trust them to know whether they "need" or just "want" the day off. 12 year old hasn't been off school in years, 14 year old had a day off yesterday because of a stomach ache (no fever, no vomiting) and stayed home alone for 6 hours - I did only work til 2. She's fine today and went to school - it was her first day off for over a year. She was in bed asleep with the radio playing when I got home.

[AmICrazyorWhat2]

DD (14) is home with a bad cold today. I filled up her hot water bottle and she's sleeping atm. My office is close to home, so it's easy to pop back and check on her, but usually I just text/call her to make sure everything's OK.

There's food in in the fridge and she's quite capable of looking after herself - she likes being home alone anyway.