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?

OP has cameras around the house, they all have mobile phones, and there are multiple people clicking on on him. It's quite bizarre that anyone thinks that he's not safe to be left alone.

Like a pp I was left alone (by choice) while my parents went on holiday, when I was 16. Mobile phones hasn't been invented, cameras still needed film, and while there were neighbours I could call on if needed, no-one was checking in on me.

Young adults are so infantilised these days, and not given the independence and responsibility that they're capable of. It's stifling.

I think the cat will let him know if he forgets to feed it on time.

How do you know that they're ready without letting them?

I lived on my own at 18, absolutely yes

The OP's son has chosen to stay back. He's not being abandoned.

By asking them 10 nights alone in the house is likely to be lonely and miserable.

Well they will never be ready if you carry on treating them like children when they are nearly 18.

Yes 18 year olds go on holiday with their mates I'm sure your 18 year old will survive in his own home

He will have no idea how long that will feel, trust me.

I think I would.

You say he might skive off work/college but if he came with you he would have to miss those anyway, wouldn't he?

They don't want to go though? So they know what not going means.

Again, I lived alone at 18. My choice. I wasn't alone and miserable

@Newchapterbeckons sorry you had shit and neglectful parents but you're being ridiculous now

My teens live in a city 300 miles away. It’s not an issue, but they are with uni friends and not alone.

This is the same poster who would refuse a dr if they had tattoos, so I don't think I'd be taking parenting advice from them tbh.

You asked for my view. 10 days is too long on his own every night. Why not invite one of his close friends? Then it might be better. It’s shit being alone for so long.

@K0OLA1D ah! It's one of those weird posters with issues then? I'll just ignore their bizarre ramblings

I'm sure OPs DS has friends and work colleagues and he also a sibling and a family friend popping in on him. He isnt being locked in the house for 10 days

My 16yo did 4 nights alone recently, to look after the cats when she didn’t fancy a UK break. No local family either, so completely alone (though she has good friends and could have turned to them/ their parents/ a neighbour in an emergency). She can cook, didn’t clean at all but looked after the cats/ herself fine and got to work and college with no problems.

Oh do fuck off

You do you op.

Am I wrong?

Again, thanks all for the views. I feel I have enough now and will bow out as I'm happy with the response I've had - plus there's the line strange poster on the thread which is always weird

Enjoy your holiday OP!

You are tedious. Some of us have standards.

He isn’t ready and you know it. He can’t even feed a cat?!