To leave 14 year old for 4 days with 18 year old sibling?

18 is legally an adult. My granddaughter has been left in charge, of house, with a labrador! by my daughter, but not with her 14 yr old sister. Obv they are left for a few hours. As others said, is the responsibility of the sibling that's a bit much, maybe one night is OK.

You know your own kids. If it were my two I wouldn’t hesitate.

There's a limit to what revision you can get done in a caravan with 3 other teens and 3 other adults who aren't revising!

All these people giving examples- did they miss its the day of their A level exams?

For me that's a huge difference.

Depends on what type of person the 14 year old is. If they are independent and happy with the arrangement I see no issue.

Maybe just organise for them to go to a friend/neighbour for dinner a couple of nights?

Ultimately depends on your kids but if they are happy with the arrangement and it’s all organised I don’t see a problem.
Kids are bubble wrapped too much.
When I was 10 my mum would leave me with my newborn brother for an hour or so. When I was 15 she'd leave me with my baby sister much longer. At 18 I’d have been happy hanging out with my 14 year old brother for 4 days.
so, it’s all down to your kids really.

I think it’s fine if do it

Hmmm I think it would be a no from me because there's potential for conflict between your children. Is your 14 year old going to listen if the 18 year old asks them to do something and is effectively responsible for them (in charge)? They might get on really well normally but from experience of being left once like this as a teen with my siblings, things can change quickly once the folks are away. Plus if your 18 year old is studying, there's a chance they may want to just get their head down for the 4 days. That's commendable for them but does leave a 14 year old somewhat left to their own devices...

Obviously rules were put in place, get themselves to school and college on time with required kit.
Safety wise. I knew they’d be sensible with keys, locking the doors, turning taps and oven off. We put contingency plans in place, a spare key with a neighbour, phone numbers for doctor, a plumber etc in case of emergencies and my sister was primed to step in if needed. (Neighbour had her number)

They kept to their usual activities after school and because a weekend was involved, they could have friends over but no parties.
We didn’t come back to a shit tip but eldest always did clean up after herself.

I left my two for five nights, same ages, no dogs just a Guinea pig. They were fine. Your boys sound similar to my girls, get on well with no really serious bickering to worry about. The eldest girl loved the responsibility.
Filled the fridge and freezer up with easy cook meals and left cash for bus fares, treats and take aways and I had good neighbours who were on standby if needed.

I would, but I don't live in the UK. Here kids' independence gets developed early, they are supposed to walk to (neighborhood) kindergarten and school from 4 years of age on.
We would be fine leaving our 15 year old home alone for a long weekend. She's sensible and I would make sure we are always reachable by phone.

Her BF's parents left him home alone for a week last year, when he was 14, and at that time my daughter would not have been ready for that (nor would I). I still wouldn't leave her for a week, as I think it's too long. I think she'd be fine with that, but I would not feel comfortable.

Interesting I would have said a definite yes to your first plan but a no to the Saturday night plan with a friend of your youngest coming over!

This thread makes me understand why the world is so messed up.

they’ll be fine, tell them you’ve told next door your away if they see or hear them fighting you will arrange for the younger one to go to grandparents from wherever you are.

we live in a world where you can be almost constantly in touch remotely.

do they normally take care of the dogs ? That would be my main concern.

at 13 I used to babysit overnight for 2 different families with no mobile phones.

home alone situations I’d have been too scared to have a wild party.

at 14/15 my friends mum went off for 3 weeks and she had crazy mad parties just made sure to clean up before they were home.

Better to keep siblings together I'd say. Lonely otherwise. Why split them up? How childish is this 14 yo? 15 you're practically an adult.

They will be fine.

Honestly I’d be embarrassed to admit I couldn’t leave two children I’d raised alone for a few days.

I think that sounds like a good compromise- 4 nights might be a long time for them but a couple of nights should be fine.

Nope. No way.

We regularly leave DD18 and DS 14 for 3 nights as myself and DP work away quite often.
They also look after Dpuppy and 2 darling horses!!

It has been the making of them

I came here to say this! As a teen I was off looking after neighbours young children and I used to do house & dog sitting (think live-in dog walker) at 16 for extra money. Did a week once during half term and just had my mum check in on me/I'd walk home for lunch or dinner or cook something there...

Mine will be revising whilst away. Same in 2022 and 2023

Only you know the relationship between your kids. I mean if your 18 year old had got some girl pregnant at 16, and again at 17 and then she had died or run off, he could be a single dad to a baby and a toddler and unless there were very serious neglect/abuse concerns, no-one could make him give up those kids. I think it's ok if both kids are happy with it, and you think they won't argue. Do you think the 14 year old will listen to the 18 year old, and the 18 year old will respect the 14 year old?

Really? Aren't they more likely to get ill/ injured when travelling?

I would gladly leave my 18yo to revise but he'd rather come on our break at Easter. He'll do anything to get out of revising.

I often looked after my younger siblings over night from 18. They were 15, 12 and 8. I drove them to school and cooked their meals. I personally don’t see a problem with it.

@boyohboys yeah we are all different if it works for you fair enough, answering for me those are the reasons.

It depends on the young people, how well they get on, how mature and sensible are they.

Reading your updates it sounds like you've got a good plan in place.