Would you leave your almost 18 year old for ten days to go on holiday?

[MissMillyMollyMandyy]

He's not remotely interested in coming and we do plenty with him anyway so we are thinking that this year we will go away for what will be ten days. Holiday on the Caribbean

First time I've ever left him for any length of time - there was a few days last year when we went to Portugal - I know, I know! But this isn't a deliberate thing, just how it's worked out

He's sensible on the whole. He will be 3 weeks off his 18th when we go away. However he is a very typical teen and will he take the opportunity to have a little skive off college and his part time job? Perhaps. Can't say for sure he won't. But overall, he's relatively sensible

I'd have my best friend popping in every day to ensure the cat has been fed properly and that he's not left every door unlocked and his 25 year sister is also local and will pop in and check he's ok regularly

Not quite sure why I feel anxious. It's not an all consuming anxiety and it's probably peri menopause driven tbh but I just want to feel relaxed about leaving him

So, would you trot off without a concern? Or would you be wanting to make sure all bases were covered so you could relax a bit?

Yes absolutely- my 18 year old was travelling solo in Asia at that age and yours sounds sensible- he’ll be fine. I’d make him feed the cat though! 😆

@TheOnlyAletheia ha! I can't imagine mine being that independent! He can barely make a bloody sandwich and yep, I've tried

He is sensible on the whole but of course he's also prone to doing silly things like they all are. Logically I know it's fine

Ours still want to go away with us, so I can’t relate. But yes, if he’s happy and you can trust him.

Yes.
left 17 year old dd for a week last year.

Doesn't he want to go to the Caribbean too? My 18 year old ds would jump at the chance and still happily holidays with us.

Yes, especially with your friend and daughter nearby and popping in.

Nope! We went to Barbados when DS was 17, and there was no way I would have trusted him on his own at that stage. I don't know if he was bothered about coming with us, but he did enjoy it when we got there!

I think, though, it's up to you and how mature/reliable/trustworthy your child is.

@DillDanding he is not interested in coming away with us at all. And it wouldn't be his type of holiday anyway but he was offered to come if he wanted to.

@Bbq1 not in the slightest bit interested ! Would prefer to stay here and chill - along with college and his part time job.

Yes I would.

In the context you’ve described, definitely

My parents went away with my younger siblings when I was 18 for three weeks. I was fine!

No I would not

Well if he skives he's really hurting himself isn't he , he will have no money and will need to catch up on his course work none of that has an effect on you, yes leave him .he will be fine if you feed him usually just make sure there is food in the house and go on holiday.

Well due to the fact lots of 18 year olds and some of them only just 18 manage to live away from home for Uni etc then I cant see a problem with it.

@BIWI I trust him to a certain extent. Well a greater extent really. He is typical of his age and we've had issues with vaping / drinking and the odd skiving from college BUT these were minor issues and very much in line with typical behaviour

I'd never consider it if he was off the rails or anything and he literally will be 9 days away from being 18.

My best friend will be here daily to check my house (😀 most important tbh!) and his sister will be here most days too. Hes close to both and knows he can contact them with any issues at all

We have cameras around the outside of the house so I'll know about any parties - not that he's ever done that (to date!)

I know I probably sound ridiculous but I want to feel totally comfortable

Yeah I would if he was fairly trustworthy.
Skipping college and work wouldn't be great but he's old enough to deal with the consequences.

Having a few mates over wouldn't be a big deal but not if he's going to throw a massive party and wreck the house.

Of course. So close from legally becoming an adult? I'd be concerned if I couldn't leave him for 10 days.

I would be more worried about a party that got out of hand and what I’d be returning to. But that probably says more about my DC than yours.
My parents buggered off on a long haul hol when I was that age. I was pretty lonely but came to no harm. And it was ultimately my choice to stay behind.

did you leave your Dd at 18?

@yourlobster oh I can just see him going 'oohh alarm going off at 6.30am! Maybe I CAN call in sick to college?'

He might. He might not. His attendance is fine but he can be lazy and with me not here then yeah... it's not beyond the realms of possibility. But yep, that only hurts him

@Mrsjayy don't think so tbh. I did at 20 when we went away for a week and she was fine but she's very very sensible

I didn't deliberately not leave her. It's just how it worked out

I would. Especially with friend popping in and your DD nearby. Id moved out by that age. Shame he doesn't want to come with you though!

@Babymamamama I don't think I'm worried about a party. I have cameras so would know about it anyway. Him being lonely is a good point but I'm sure his sister would spend a few evenings here just chilling so he's not in a totally empty house for ten days solid

Most 18yr olds move away and go to uni.
It very depends on the child.
Only you know if you can trust them.

I have teenagers.
One of mine I totally would leave for 10 days, the other no way!! Same parents, upbringing etc..