To leave 16 yr old at home alone for 2 weeks

[FanGurlll]

For various reasons DS, 16, doesn't want to come on holiday this year.
Would you leave your 16 year old home alone?

No. A few nights, possibly, but not two weeks.

No.

No of course not 🤦🏻‍♀️

Bit young. I’d wait a year or two

Not for that long.

My parents left me while they went away for 2 weeks when I was 15, I LOVED IT!

Nope

He wouldn't be alone for long ! Could you have maybe a friend stay with him and neighbour made aware .

Do you have a trusted neighbor or relative who is available to monitor your dwelling so that no unauthorized activities happen during your absence .... you may need to hire a nanny to watch things

No. Do you trust them? My daughter at that age just wanted me to go away so she could have a house party

I’m sure The OP’s DS would love it too, but the fact she’s moved to ask us, rather than immediately feeling confident that it would be fine, shows that in this case, she has doubts. Which probably means it’s not a good idea.

Back in the day ( 1980’s) I left my eldest at 16 at home for a week, but my lovely neighbours were on 24 hour call! He was fine and they didn’t have to do anything, but I did worry a lot whilst I was away. He also was involved with a lot of sporting activities which took up most of the week.
I think it depends on the child.
They change a lot between 16 and 18, all of mine left for uni at 18 but not all 3 would have been confident or happy to be home alone at 16. Only the eldest in fact.

No way. At that age they're supposed to say they don't want to go. As the parent you're supposed to say they have to.

I was left alone for a month at 16. When my parent came back I moved out within 2 weeks (I was still 16) because I much preferred my independence at that point. Depends on the 16yo

No, and I'm a very chilled mum with 3 older kids. Either they're sensible enough to not have a party but then worry that they're on their own, not putting bins out, hear noises at night etc, etc, or they're going to have a huge party and get themselves into trouble. Rarely do they exist in the middle in my experience.

Not if you want your house in 1 piece when you came back 😂 although I once worked with someone who was 16 and their parents had moved to France and left them behind 😳

No chance. 17 at a push, and 18 yes definitely, but 16 no.

Nope

I was left at 16. For 10 days. With one friend to stay with me and a promise for NO parties, no boys round and no staying out late

.......

Some of the days/nights of those 10 were the sort which you tell stories of decades later 😳😂😇

This was in the 80s though life was different

I agree with this. My kids would be fine not having a party but would feel a bit worries and lost, I think. I'd encourage them to come on holiday unless there's a very good reason not to.

So in other words no, don't 😂

The thing is OP, it doesn't matter what anyone else here would do because it's not your 16 year old they'd be leaving alone.

It depends completely on how trustworthy he is and of course whether your holiday is in the UK or abroad.

I should have added that I wouldn’t have left him for 2 weeks though.
By the way, not every 16 year old will trash their home when left alone.

I left mine for a week. Sensible teen, she was working during the day and had my best friend in the next street.

No it's way too long. Too many temptations, too little experience of clearing up and dealing with the unexpected etc.

Some of mine were more responsible and sensible at 16 but it would still be no for 2 weeks.