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

Mine are similar ages and we probably will do similar soon, however think we will start off with one night and build up to longer. And I’d take the dogs with me as they’re my favourites! 😀

I think it depends on the 14 year old.

18 yr old, no issues.

1 of mine would have fought endlessly with any of the others. The other 3 would have been totally fine in any combination.

At 18 they could have a baby of their own. It sounds like the 14yo is capable of looking after themselves so wouldn't be any burden on the 18yo.

Definite no from me. I would have run my older sibling ragged and organised all sorts of naughty things to do

My two are close in age (20 and 18) and get on. Whenever I have left the two of them on their own (so for shorter lengths of time when they were younger) I only did it if I would have been happy leaving the younger one on their own. So for me I’d think about whether I’d be happy to leave the 14 year old on their own and go from there.

It’s a very long time - 4 days! I always think the things to worry less about are the things people bring up such as burglary or fire- the more realistic one (for us here) is eg dog getting out and the kids running off at night time to find him, or getting a fright because of something. There’s also the looking after themselves aspect, eg keeping relatively clean and eating! Op it’s very strange you can’t find a kennels- our crazy cocker spaniel was about 1 when he went to a kennels- nobody had a problem with age? Maybe try some more?

Would the 14 year old definitely get up and go to school Thu/Fri? I was left on my own for a week when I’d just turned 16. I was in yr11 and got up and went to school every day, walked the dog, cooked tea and called the landlord when the boiler broke. But I was very sensible and hated being in trouble. No parties at all and only had one friend over at the weekend. Can you definitely trust them not to have a party and trash the house?

I agree, 18 on their own but adding 14 year old and dogs is a lot for four days. Less responsibilities or for one day yes but I think that is a lot in one go.

My two would be fine (18, nearly 19 and just turned 15). They get on very well and would walk the dog. It hasn't happened as my mum lives with us too but they would be ok, and other granny is only round the corner, plus the neighbours on both sides would look out for them if we asked.

My parents left me and my elder brother when we were teenagers - for weeks on end.
We had massive parties, loads of friends crashed over, there was a lot of weed smoked and way too much cheap booze consumed.
I would never, ever, ever leave my kids!

A lot of responsibility?! Jesus there are lads out there in the armed forces and people having children by 18! Keeping an eye on your teenage sibling and some pets for a few nights is hardly a lot of responsibility!

Absolutely fine if you trust them OP.

My parents went to Borneo for 3 weeks when my sister was 19, I was 17 and my brother was 14.

He was the most sensible one, cleaning up after us when we threw wild parties, and enlisting our mates to help with his coursework.

I think it’s the length of time that would make me think twice. Overnight would probably be ok, but 4 days is quite a while to leave an 18 year old in charge of a 14 year old. Are they nearly 15 or just turned 14? Yr10 pupils often seem more mature than Yr9 pupils. I think I’d probably try and send the youngest and dogs somewhere else.

The 18 year old is an adult! If s/he is fine with it, especially as you have someone coming in to walk the dogs, I don't see the problem at all.
And I'm not at all surprised the 18 year old doesn't want to be babysat any more!
Unless there is more info you're not saying. Up to you, of course.
If you're still uncertain about the dogs I'd put them into kennels for the four days.

If they get on well and are both happy then I think it’s fine.

I'm afraid our 15yr old wouldn't be getting to choose!

It totally depends on your kids and their relationship

I do find it odd the amount of comments regarding it being a lot for the 18 year old, some 18 year olds care prominently for siblings or have kids of their own.

My biggest factor would be how well they get on. If the 14yo respects the 18yo.

Well at 17 I lived alone with a small baby, took them to nursery every morning and then went to school. Zero support. At 15 my oldest would be left for a day or two when I was away. Usually with a sensible friend and some cash for takeaways.
unless your teens are prone to fighting then I see no issue whatsoever.

My DC at that age, I would have got a relative or good friend to come and make sure they were up and ready to go to school on the Thursday and Friday. I would also have arranged for someone to take the dogs from Friday afternoon / night.

Otherwise, why not.

I think that's fine. Lots of support in place and it's only for 4 nights.

Not all siblings argue! My 2 are best friends.

I find the suggestion that it’s too much responsibility for an 18 year old a bit weird. There are 18 year olds out there with their own children and have jobs or study alongside it.

OP this entirely depends on how much responsibility they are used to and their personalities. Some teenagers would be well capable and others wouldn’t.

It would be a no for me.
Too much responsibility for the 18 year old and there would be a good chance they would spend a lot of time arguing....most 14 year olds wouldn't listen to their 18 year old siblings instructions no matter how sensible they are.