To leave DC home for the weekend?

[constantlyxhausted]

mine and DH's anniversary is coming up next weekend and we've booked a hotel about 3 hours away for a weekend break. we were planning to leave DS and DD2 (both 15) home under the supervision of DD1 (18). my parents live a ten minute walk away so i would have asked them to check in if needed but they're also away that weekend, so it looks like it'll just be DD1 in charge. i'm completely fine with this and so is DH as they're all very responsible and we trust them not to throw a wild party or burn the house down, but i was talking to a work colleague who has kids around the same age and she was shocked at this, saying that apparently 18 is way too young and irresponsible to be looking after 2 15 year olds for a couple of nights? who is being unreasonable here?

You know them best, but I would say it was fine

You know your kids best. I was frequently left home alone from the age of 15 without an older sibling looking after me. Some kids are more responsible than others

Yes,as long as they don't have a party

This just depends massively on the DC involved. If they're mature, sensible 15 year olds they probably don't require much supervision at all. On the other hand I know a few 18 year who I probably wouldn't trust in my house alone for a weekend. You know you're kids if they're not the type to do anything dangerous (including staying out late without a safe way to get home, drinking too much etc) then I'd say it's OK.

At 16 I was left in charge of my 2 year old sister when my parents went away for a weekend, I loved the responsibility. I was very mature and sensible though, my little sister (who's now 16 herself) would struggle to keep a goldfish alive for 24hrs. It really depends on their individual personality. I'm sure they'll be absolutely fine, so long as they're mature, sensible teens, who respect your rules and your home. You only have to do it the once to know whether or not they can be trusted again! 18 year old in charge though, I really don't see an issue. I bought my own house at 19. Think your friend must have quite immature, untrustworthy teens if she'd be so concerned. X

It depends on the children. We left ours from 17 and 14, with a written list of rules about no. of friends allowed in at a time and the chores to be done before our return. On about the 3rd time the younger had a party - not large (about 5-6 people when we'd said no more then 2 friends each and 3 total at any one time) but it culminated in a broken nose (football). It taught them both a lot about what could go wrong, and they have been immensely responsible since, so it was a good learning experience. Tough on the owner of the broken nose, though.

i was left alone at 18 while parents went on holidays.... though i will admit i did throw parties. (sorry)