Leave dc 16 for three nights home alone?

[CarryOnCharon]

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

Views..??

@springtome completely agree. And would also go further to say even if a 16/17 year old was nervous, I would try to encourage being left for one night initially. Good for teens to be out of their comfort zone sometimes.

It's weird, when I started reading this thread I thought, "no 3 nights is too long".

Then another post reminded me that my parents left me alone for a week at age 15 and I was fine. Plus I moved out into my own place at 16 and held down a job and fed myself and everything!

About a 16 year old on their own at home? You do know some year 11s live on their own in hostels right?

Why not?

I started leaving DS for the odd night at 14. Recently left him for 2 nights at nearly 16. At his pace. He was fine. I'd be perfectly happy to leave him for 3 nights at 16. I'd have to text him every day to remind him to feed the cat though.

I am leaving my 15 year old for the odd night atm so I can visit my dying mum. She has a friend round and they revise. I totally trust her and have good neighbours.

Yes

Not in year 11 they don't. And the "hostels" are supported accommodation they aren't completely on their own.

Who is saying no!?!
I lived on my own at 16!
Unless he is in someway vulnerable or has additional needs, then it's completely fine. He's in his own home fgs. He will be totally fine for 3 nights.

Sensible and mature! I would absolutely leave him, without a doubt.😀

They absolutely do. It's never ideal but sometimes year 11s end up in hostels. I know they are supported but that doesn't mean they aren't independent. They are far more safe at home with the doors locked than living in a room in a hostel even if there is an adult somewhere on site.

So did I! That’s why I’m saying no!

What like by making smacking them illegal and offering them free higher education?

Definitely not. I really think people are deluding themselves when they insist that their teens are very sensible and would never have a party.

I've left mine lots of times now. He's never had a party. The worst he does is makes loads of snacks and leaves crap all over the kitchen. Weirdly some of us DO know our kids...

Do you know every child then? I've lived alone since 16 and never had a party. I am An introvert party would have been my worst nightmare!

We left our fifteen year old alone last year because we had no choice - well he could have gone to his GPs but he was begging me not to make him go🤪He did two days, two nights and was totally fine, he loved it. Helps a lot if there’s someone in the vicinity you trust who is aware you’re not there and who can step in in the unlikely event there’s trouble (NDN in our case) but at 16 I can’t see an issue. There are sixteen year olds living alone in flats all over the country. My parents left me for a fortnight with my elder sibs when I was much younger (and they all made the most of it and fucked off to all-nighters). No mobile phones, no Ringo, just me and the dug - no harm came to me and it was good training.

I have a 17 year old. I'd have left him at 16 but with regular communication, emergency contacts and clear guidelines/

Very much an individual choice as 16 year olds are very different.

We left dd 16 (almost 17) & ds 14 for 2 nights, was in UK
Few months later did 3 nights, Europe then 4 nights Europe

They were fine, had friends round occasionally but no massive parties

Neighbours are good friends and they have many relatives within 5 miles

Biggest issue was they ate mostly junk and did break a glass. They managed to get to school/collage on time and do their homework

Only you know your ds best but the vast majority of 16 yo would be fine