Leave dc 16 for three nights home alone?

[CarryOnCharon]

He’s sensible, mature. Not a party boy.

Views..??

3 nights is a bit too long. Can you organise some support for your teen - could he go for a sleepover to a friends, is there a family friend or relative who could go visit on one of the nights and have dinner with him and stay over .. you need to arrange something because 3 nights is too long especially if he is not used to being on his own.

He’d be mortified by an arranged dinner or visit, tbh

My daughter, yes allowed to have a friend stay for company. Left the dog with her too. My son between the ages of 16-17 not a chance, there would have been an out of control party which was certainly definitely not his fault .

Is he in year 11 or 12 I would maybe consider it at year 12 a month of 17 but definitely not in year 11. Also if he is year 11 I would expect the school to raise safeguarding concerns.

No no and no.

Also their friends no

Just no

16 is an adult here in Scotland- absolutely no concerns about safeguarding 🙈

I went to uni at 17 but I'm pretty sure it was the summer before that my parents let me live by myself in a house they'd moved out of, but not yet sold. I had a summer job nearby so it was handier than the (smaller) house they'd moved to.

Is there no ways Scotland doesn't show its hatred of children.

Yes, depending on timing and personal character. If they are about to take GCSEs in the next few weeks, then definitely no.

It's fine but then I lived alone at 16 so maybe that is why I don't see an issue, I would leave my kids at that age.

My Ds is 17 and ND so it’s a no in my world .

however would you be able to get back if he was hospitalised for example ? Would you be contactable , have someone close by if necessary ?

I left home at 17.. but honestly I do think children are less self sufficient these days

If sensible then should be fine.

Although I should add that I had awesome parties when left at home by my parents at that age.

@DragonFly98

Is there no ways Scotland doesn't show its hatred of children.

On behalf of my nation - yer bums oot the windae

No.

Fire

Burglary

Illness

16 is way too young.

I left my just 17 year old for 1 night. I left the house on the Fri after lunch and returned 36 hours later so early Sunday morning. There were dire warnings from me about parties and they did have pet care duties. I texted occasionally but was out of contact for quite large periods of time. I had warned/ asked the neighbours on the road WhatsApp chat if they would be patient if DC asked for help. Most replied to say not an issue. They've known DC all their lives. DC was all cool on the Sunday until they confessed to not sleeping a wink on the Friday night. Apparently our house creaks - who knew!! It was a great intro but my nerves would not have taken 3 nights!

I left my then 16 yo for a week as he didn't want to come on holiday. He was perfectly fine on his own. He was (still is) a quiet homebody so I knew he wouldn't be throwing wild parties.

Surely it all depends on the 16 yo. 2 of mine would be a firm no, because they are ND and need someone with them. The others would and have been fine.

I've heard of a similar thing where the teenager was left alone and a "friend" of his advertised the fact on social media.

He ended up with hundreds of kids turning up for a party, even though he hadn't invited anyone himself.

A neighbour called the police. The parents were VERY unhappy!

I wouldn’t. Anything could happen.

Isn't 16 the age when loads of kids go to Reading festival with their mates after GCSEs?

That's probably a lot more risky (drink, drugs, etc) than staying home alone.

No. One night, yes, three nights, no.

If he's happy about it and you know he's the sort to stick to your house rules, then go for it.

I would yes, because they are sensible and unlikely to have a party or trash the house. As long as he’s comfortable. I have done, and I left a 17 year old for ten days whilst we went to Florida as he didn’t want to come.

I did have excellent supportive grandparents two streets away though for emergencies, without them or an adult like my best friend on standby I wouldn’t have done.

Do you have an adult that would be happy to step up if he needed one in an emergency?

We did a couple of months ago. He was fine. We checked in, he fed the cats. We do have cameras front and back so can keep an eye on comings and going. Younger DC 15, went to stay with family which she was NOT happy about. Older is 17 in a few months so next time we go away, we will probably leave both, younger child will likely be almost 16 by then.

In theory a 16 year old can get married and move out of home (and legally have a baby) so to say they can't sleep alone in a house is somewhat infantilising them. I'm not saying 16 year olds should get married etc, just that they can. I think it's important they are given a chance to mature slowly and being responsible for themselves for a few days is a good start.

FFS you think a 16 year old wouldn’t know what to do in case of fire?? No wonder so many teens lack maturity these days.