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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Another holiday/ kids home alone thread

135 replies

LarryVeest · 19/10/2021 08:35

WIBU to leave three older DC (12, 15, 16) at home while I go away from Saturday morning to Sunday evening. I'll be hundreds of miles away (but same country). We have great neighbours. 12 yr old and 15yr old permanently squabble, but they are all NT and reasonably sensible. It's fine, right?

OP posts:
girlmom21 · 19/10/2021 09:57

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

toocold54 · 19/10/2021 10:08

If you were staying close by then I’d say 100% do it but bring hundreds of miles away would worry me!
Them being in a flat gives them extra security but I’d still not be able to relax worrying about them.

Do you not have any family members close by who can be there if there is an emergency?

You could ask the neighbour to keep an eye on them from their own flat but unless you are quite close then it’s a big ask.

Original poster
LarryVeest · 19/10/2021 10:09

Oops my frothing comment was to burnto and gonnagetgoing.

OP posts:
toocold54 · 19/10/2021 10:10

I really want to know what this once in a lifetime event is! I’m intrigued Grin

Original poster
LarryVeest · 19/10/2021 10:12

It's a great show, but it's also a very rare get together of family members.

OP posts:
girlmom21 · 19/10/2021 10:15

@LarryVeest

It's a great show, but it's also a very rare get together of family members.
Do any of the other family members have kids? Could you all travel together and just leave the kids together in a hotel room for pizza and sleep? That way they're not left on their own for 2 full days and you don't have to worry about a babysitter.
steppemum · 19/10/2021 10:18

I have left similar aged kids, but what we did was sent 12 year old off on a sleepover and left the older two together.

It is the 12 year old I'd be worried about

Gonnagetgoing · 19/10/2021 10:22

@LarryVeest

Oops my frothing comment was to burnto and gonnagetgoing.
Yeah you do you.
Gonnagetgoing · 19/10/2021 10:24

@LarryVeest

It's a great show, but it's also a very rare get together of family members.
drip drip re very rare get together of family members!
steppemum · 19/10/2021 10:25

I would go with your idea of a babysitter on Sat evening.

MrsKeats · 19/10/2021 10:28

Not a chance.

Sally872 · 19/10/2021 10:28

Oldest almost 17, youngest is 12. Sensible kids and lovely neighbours. Yes I would absolutely leave them for an overnight.

Triffid1 · 19/10/2021 10:31

I honestly think this is one of those moments where only you can decide. My parents left me and my brother who were 12 and 13 at the time with my sister who was 17 for two weeks. So I think it's fine, personally. But I can think of half a dozen families who would consider this tantamount to neglect. So.....

Notonthestairs · 19/10/2021 10:33

I'd don't think having someone sit with them is overkill - it's just sensible.

Izzy24 · 19/10/2021 10:35

Speaking as the eldest who was left alone supervising younger siblings - I hated it. I knew the 4 yrs younger sister would be a PITA the entire time. And guess who would get the blame for all misdemeanours. (And that wasn’t overnight) 🤷‍♀️

Lightswitch123 · 19/10/2021 10:36

I wouldn't

Mummyoflittledragon · 19/10/2021 10:46

If your 12 yo has recently changed schools, I presume this is yr7. Even yr8 is dodgy. No way.

Do you have any friends or mum friends? They could perhaps take your 12 yo. The kids don’t have to be besties. Or the neighbour perhaps?

Otherwise, overnight baby sitter comes or your 12 yo sleeps at their house.

DGFB · 19/10/2021 10:49

No, 12 is too young to be left with a 16yo

NoBetterthanSheShouldBe · 19/10/2021 10:52

I wouldn’t do it, especially if it’s easy to get an overnight baby sitter. Why take a chance?

I once left my 17 yo in charge of 15 year old. 17 yo had a party, 15 yo was scared and barricaded themselves into their bedroom.

ivykaty44 · 19/10/2021 10:52

I very much of the principal of leaving teens at home, mine was left at 14/15 overnight.

I’d not leave a 12 year old and not have the 15&16 year old responsible

If the 12 year old can go on a sleepover with a mate then yes to leaving the other two

toocold54 · 19/10/2021 10:55

It's a great show, but it's also a very rare get together of family members

If it’s a vet rare family get together then I’d book a hotel and let them come then. You can all have a meal with the rest of the family and then the girls can relax in the hotel room whilst you’re at the show.

Youcancallmeval · 19/10/2021 10:55

Not a chance I would do that and I'm spectacularly laid back about such matters. 12 is far too young.

liveforsummer · 19/10/2021 10:57

I'd be concerned annoy the 12 year old especially as them and the 15 year old fight. They other 2 fine. Can the 12 year old go to a friend or family?

mamaoffourdc · 19/10/2021 10:59

Where are you staying? Could the 12 year old hang out in your room whilst you are at the event?

Rooroobear · 19/10/2021 11:00

Why are you even posting on here then? You’re going whether or not people think you’re bu!