Leaving teens to go away

[MrsPatrickDempsey]

I I celebrate a big birthday this time next year. DH and our best friends have discussed/suggested celebrating with my dream holiday which will involve 15 nights away. Daughter will be 19. She will be living at home attending our local uni and son will be nearly 15. Neither want to join us. We have good neighbours and my parents live 15 mins away. They are in their late 70s and early 80s so my son staying with them 100% of the time I feel is too much of an ask but I would hope they remain well enough to be there if needed. My sister lives 30 mins away too and is happy to be an emergency contact.
We have left the children for the night a couple of times and they are quite self sufficient and independent. WIBU to go? Feel a bit selfish.

I think a 14yo is too young to be left for that long. If there is a dynamic between the dc where your adult daughter can act as a parent to him then I think it is ok.

I wouldn’t leave a 14 yr old at home alone for 15 nights, no. Nor would I put the responsibility of parenting him on a 19 yr old. A night or 2, is totally different from 2 weeks away.

Is there no one else who he can stay with, or who can stay in your home?

I agree it is down to the relationship between your DC.

I was left at home alone from 17, but my parents wouldn't have left me and my DSis at home alone until we were both 21+ as we couldn't be guaranteed to get along.

Same with my DC when DD1 was at uni and DD2 still in school I couldn't have left them together but could and did leave them separately.

I was left at home at 15 for a week, but I think any longer than that is pushing it tbh. If your 19 year old is willing to take responsibility and your 15 year old will actually listen to her, it could work

No, I would rather change the destination and celebrate with my children rather than just friends.

I don’t think it’s fair on the 19 year old to have to pick up the responsibilities of a younger sibling. That’s not their job.

I think it is too long. We left DS(17) at home for a week last year but DD(14) stayed with the grandparents- she spent much of the day at home, but slept at her GPs. We have done the odd overnight where we have left them but I personally wouldn’t do more than a single night away for a 14 year old with a teen sibling.