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Original poster

Leaving 15 year old alone?

82 replies

AWOIF · 31/03/2022 00:23

Would you leave a 15 year old boy alone at home for a week whilst you go on holiday? Family will check in on him.
He doesn't want to go with the rest of the family.

OP posts:
MissNothing1991 · 31/03/2022 07:46

Don't think i could enjoy my holiday knowing my 15 year old was home alone doing god knows what and whether or not they're safe, but each to their own

ChickenSkinny · 31/03/2022 07:47

Not before 18.

Chakraleaf · 31/03/2022 07:50

Nope. Still your responsibility

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15 year olds
Luredbyapomegranate · 31/03/2022 07:57

If he’s sensible and the family are close by and will check regularly then yes.

If he’s a tearaway or just unpredictable then no.

HollowTalk · 31/03/2022 08:02

@VeniVidiWeeWee

Just over a hundred years ago he could have been in France fighting for his country.

Have teenagers become incapable of behaving well since then?

And he would've had someone with him the whole time.
ididntevennotice · 31/03/2022 08:06

No, not for the practical reasons others mention but just because I firmly believe children deserve to have a parent around. Of course I don't mean 24/7 but I do think a week is far to long to just leave them alone.

Ragwort · 31/03/2022 08:15

No .... even if he was sensible, had family nearby, neighbours watching etc etc I just wouldn't relax knowing what might happen ... I am sure all those sad faced Daily Mail readers you see next to trashed homes thought their own teenager was 'sensible and wouldn't dream of hosting a party'. Hmm.

I understand the tediousness of family holidays when you are a teenager, my own DPs used to arrange for my DGPs to stay with me when I no longer wanted to go on family holidays.

HomeHomeInTheRange · 31/03/2022 08:16

No.

ChickenSkinny · 31/03/2022 08:28

Just over a hundred years ago he could have been in France fighting for his country

  1. Not at 15.

2, OP may be aiming for an even higher parenting standard than what it was like in the trenches in WW1.

Surprised by the number of posts that focus only on teen behaviour. My son would have been perfectly well behaved if I’d left him at this age. He’d also be bored and miserable. I’m convinced half the reason teens left alone have parties is that being home alone for a long period for the first time is lonely and unnerving.

OzziePopPop · 31/03/2022 08:28

Not if you want to come home to your house still standing and in reasonably the same condition as you left it.

Daisy95 · 31/03/2022 08:33

My parents used to leave me at this age all the time. I had my grandparents and auntie round the corner. I was very self sufficient, even did an online food shop to come and have food in for my parents when they came home. Whereas my auntie would never leave her kids at home even now at 22 she doesn't want them alone in her house 😂 I think it all depends on what the child is like.

I was also working in a care home part time and also babysitting a 8 month old and 3 year old on Saturday day times at 15. So all dependent isn't it.

Mellowyellow222 · 31/03/2022 08:35

No - too long.

BigWoollyJumpers · 31/03/2022 08:38

My parents retired and left me at that age for a month or so, to look after house and home, and the cat! I was almost 16. I did my OLevels, and then went out to join them for the summer. Honestly, I think we have very low expectations of our teens these days.

Caveat, I wouldn't have left my DD's in the same way, not because they couldn't look after house and home, but because I did lack emotional support during my exams, and felt quite lonely at times.

userxx · 31/03/2022 08:38

Don't see the problem, I was left alone at 15, the house didn't burn down or get burgled.

Nelliephant1 · 31/03/2022 08:39

Definitely not.

Comefromaway · 31/03/2022 08:42

Absolutely no way.

Dd was left overnight aged 16 and in year 12, but 15 is still a child .

Favourodds · 31/03/2022 08:49

Mumsnet is extremely odd on this particular topic.

CremeEggThief · 31/03/2022 08:53

Not for a week, but a night is fine at 15.

YellowMonday · 31/03/2022 09:22

No. He goes with you, or he stays with family or friends.

Greatoutdoors · 31/03/2022 09:23

No, too young IMO

SundaysinKernow · 31/03/2022 09:31

Yes, depending on the 15 yr old, how nearby the family is and how often they’d be checking in.

FacebookPhotos · 31/03/2022 09:35

Not for a week. For a weekend I would if the child was a sensible one who knew what to do in an emergency. Could you compromise and he stays with family for half the week and then home alone for the rest?

Readyforspring · 31/03/2022 09:39

No and im pretty laid back.
All day.. Yes
An eve yes.
Maybe 1 night (and i have family 3 min walk away)

PineappleWilson · 31/03/2022 10:02

No, not for a week. There's too much of a chance of something going wrong - power cut, friends realising he's home alone and inviting themselves round etc. I'm afraid at 15 he'd be coming with us unless he can stay at the home of a family member. He doesn't get to opt out this year.

TheChosenTwo · 31/03/2022 13:56

Absolutely not for me. Mine are sensible and I would trust them to cook and not set the house on fire etc but it’s neglectful imo.

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