Leaving kids home alone for 5 days?

I was left alone to look after my two siblings (2 years and 5 years younger) when I was in sixth form. Parents would go away for a week, I had money to do the shopping etc. All went well, and my grandparents were a few miles away (though elderly and non-drivers)

My ex often leaves our 18 and 15 year old girls on their own whenever it’s his time and a new woman is interested.
id say your kids will be perfectly fine, and if one of them turns nocturnal on Xbox so what? He’s on his holidays too ?

Seems fine as long as the 13 year old is OK with being left with the older siblings. I had a child of my own by your eldests age and had left home 2 years prior.

I'd probably do 3 nights the first time.

As long as they don't argue and fight, they'll be fine.

I didn't say it wasn't standard.
Maybe it's standard to keep an eye on younger siblings. Not done for money.

She's only there because it's the holidays from uni. She's got a good deal because she's allowed home from uni for the holidays? That's just standard.

I wouldn't go for four nights straight away....I'd try one night or a weekend and see how they cope.

Indeed. She is supervising. She's living at home, she's a sister.
Suppose she asked for "babysitting" money? She's living there for free, eating the food, using the facilities. She's hardly put out.
As pp said, maybe leave her money for Deliveroo or whatever.
Personal choice, but I wouldn't pay her for this particular "service" as if she were a stranger.

But they are still need supervising to a certain extent, otherwise the OP wouldn't exist because they'd all just be left to their own devices.

Favours are also optional, it sounds like some pp's would give her little choice.

A 16 year old should not need supervision to cook.

I am not paying my son to look after his siblings for the long weekend we are away. He gets quite a lot out of us though financially already, so it's the least he can do. It would be a different story if he wasn't but jt's just how we roll in our family. Everyone has different family dynamics..

As I understand it, it's a young woman who will be living at home, who has a couple of sensible, responsible siblings. She's not "babysitting".
I just don't see why family members can't do favours for each other without the expectation of monetary reward. I'm sure that the parents help and support her financially and in other ways all the time.
Mind you, there's some on MN who would be charging the young woman rent, but that's a whole other story.

I think it’s asking a lot. I don’t think it’s a bad thing to ask, especially if she’s willing but if she’s willing to give up a few days to take care of her siblings then I’d be willing to pay her for the favour like I would a babysitter.

Depends on maturity of 13 year old amd the 19 year old for that matter lol.
My sister was 18 when she married and frequently looked after me, aged 8 and our other sister who was 10.
You know your own kids so if you're happy that's all that matters.

I would do this and DS does this with his children of similar ages.

This ⬆️. Totally agree.

Certainly leave them some "fun money" for a day out or some Deliveroo or something. But don't pay someone for spending 4 days doing exactly what she would normally be doing!

Unless they are unusually immature or have delinquent tendencies then of course you can.

I don't think everything should have a monetary value. She's not exactly being exploited or doing drudge work. Appreciation can be shown in otter ways.
Family interactions should be about love , care and support, not ££££.

My 14 yo boy can cook, do washing and ironing, as well as get train to school and back.

I should hope so.
I'd think something had gone wrong somewhere if an average 14 yo couldn't do all those things.

Agree!

When I was 19 I was married with a baby, and my husband sometimes worked away, my parents lived away, I was often alone, and I was absolutely fine. So absolutely you can leave your children at the age of 19, 16 and 13 in the care of the eldest. You know your children better than anyone else, are they sensible, trustworthy, respectful, you need to know they understand safety rules with regards to cooking. Making sure all is safe before going to bed, doors locked etc.

Where are you getting 2 weeks from? It even says in the title that it's 5 days.
Why would you think a 13 year old wasn't capable of making some food or going to a shop. The world won't stop if nobody hoovers for a few days.

Don't be daft. The oldest will be 20 when this is happening. 20 year olds work as nannies looking after much younger children than teenagers. What legalities do you think there would be with a 20 year old looking after a 16 and 13 year old.
When I was 20 I had my own house and my younger siblings used to come and stay.
20 year olds can be kinship carers for younger siblings.

I'd say this is a bit more than just helping out. It's a big favour and I'd personally show my appreciation by paying her.