Xmas party means leaving 17 year old in charge

[Itsallsonew]

My oldest is 17 level headed and sensible his sister is 11 and a bit wacky but fairly sensible. Previously I have organised a friend to stay over when I go away for the night. However I have an overnight Xmas party to go to and they have asked why I need to get a babysitter? They have said they are happy together. I always order them take out so they don’t need to cook and friends live 2 mins away. They are sensible kids and would have the dog with them too. Is it ok to leave them ?? They are not the party type they will just watch tv eat everything and play computer games?

The 17 year old absolutely. And as long as they are happy to take responsibility for the 11 year old then I don't see why not. I am quite risk adverse so often would say no.....but I can't see an issue in your situation if the children are happy.

Yeah, that's perfectly fine. I was 16 & baby sitting a 2 & 5 year old overnight.

I dont know your kids but they sound great. The 17 year could be married by now (or at uni living alone in a years time) and where my IL's live would probably have at least one child. So I personally wouldnt see the issue, especially as they are happy.

Seems fine to me, given your description of sensible-ness and sibling dynamics.

I think it is fine.

I'm also happy to sign off on this - the 17yo should be more than capable of keeping an eye on the 11yo and they'll have a grand old time feeling very grown up.

We’ve just started leaving 15 year old DD and 11 year old DS albeit we are generally back before 9, If DD was 17 I wouldn’t hesitate.

I'm going against the grain here. 17 year old yes of course but not the 11 year old. Siblings have a different relationship than a babysitter would have with the child. Might they argue, the 11 yo might not do as asked, 17yo might not pay as much attention as a babysitter would.
Appreciate I'm in the minority though.

Absolutely fine if you’re confident they’re confident and they know what to do in a crisis

@Itsallsonew

The weekend before last I left my 17.5 year old with his 3 younger siblings overnight (16,14,12) whilst I was away for the night;I ended up getting back on the Sunday several hours later than planned as I got caught up in the railway chaos that weekend.

They were all absolutely fine.

@thenewduchessofhastings I love your user name! Thank you. I know they would be fine but feel sort of bad as I will be going away with my boyfriend (who I have been with a year and a bit and they both love) and don’t want to be frowned upon for it. I just wanted to check as although the ex gives 0 support financially or other wise he can be very quick to criticise. Thank you 😊