DS 15 & DS 17 alone overnight

[threeblowdries]

WIBU to leave them on their own at home for 1 night ?
No neighbours nearby.
They are often alone during the day but we have always come home.
Worried about them not turning off appliances or locking up properly but also fully aware that they need to learn responsibility for these things.

I would if they were happy to be left. I'd ring them juat before bed to check they've locked up etc.

They should be just fine and perfectly capable of handling appliances. If you trust them not to have a party or bring overnight guests.

If they are happy to be left, and there's an emergency contact then absolutely fine.

You know them better than anyone. I recently left my 16&18 year old for one night for the first time. No problems. I'm glad I did because I ended up in hospital all last week and DH works nights. My late DM would have had them in the past.

Do you have particular reasons to think they wouldn't turn off appliances properly?

If not, I think this would be fine.

Op what is the worse thing that happens if they don't turn off appliances? You get a big bill.

Oh god no far too young. Their brains are still develping till they're 25.

I'm in this dilemma too but mine would be for a week. They'd be nearly 17yrs and 20yrs (has extra needs so not a typical 20yr old).

Decisions decisions

Why do you think they will not be able to turn off appliances?

You're being unreasonable in that it's ridiculous that your 17 and 15 year olds can't be left over night. Have you taught them nothing?

That's just ridiculous. Teens were self sufficient in times gone by and in other countries. Teens hold responsible jobs in this country.

I would have been able to leave my girls. My Mum or me was under ten minutes away and I had good neighbours. They loved to sleep over in my Mum's if she was away, pet sitting. My eldest would invite a friend, they were both 15 and sensible. They just enjoyed the independence.
I left home at 16 in the 80's, which wasn't unusual.

@Ponoka7 - can you not detect a hint of sarcasm?

17 yes of course but 15 really depends on: how sensible are they; how well do they get on with sibling; will they go 'wahoo freedom' and have an impromptu party (both 15 and 17),
Only you know your children op, only you know how well they'd cope if anything cropped up.
I don't think I'd be confident to leave a 15 yr old, but that's me, I have friends who would have no issues leaving that age over night.

I was left alone overnight at that age and was living on my own just before I was 18.

Obviously depends on the kids but I'm sure most would manage just fine.

We did this recently. 17 and 15 for 2 nights, we went away for the weekend.

But we do have a very good friend who lives just round the corner, so is on hand in an emergency.

The oven element blew and tripped the electrics when dd (15) was on her own on sat eve, dd1 was at work.
She phoned us. We talked her through resetting the trip switch (to be fair the oven has done this before, so wasn't a surprise)
She was fine.

Lats summer we left dd1 (17) and ds (19) alone for 2 weeks when we went on holiday. They both wanted to work and not come with us. They again had support from my friend round the corner, but they were fine. (and dd1 walked the dog every day, and he is not easy)

As long as they are comfortable, and there is someone they can call on in an emergency(even if that is you at a disctance) I think it is fine.

At that age they should be fine.

Of course, that's fine. Extreme case, I know, but my friend was left alone at 16 , bringing up her 14 yo brother, after her parents died. This was the 70's and wouldn't be allowed now, but my point is that they coped. The vast majority of 17 and 15 year olds will manage for one night on their own!

It's fine if they are reasonably sensible. Do you have any reason to think they are not?

I would say however, that my ds at 15/17 would probably have had friends round and had a party, so it is a judgement call.

At that age they’ll be fine, just lay out your expectations and then leave them to it

Ludicrous. At 16 I was living on my own in London, had a full-time job and perfectly capable of paying my bills and being a fully fledged adult. No support of any kind from parents or anyone else. That was over 50 years ago. Granted not all teenagers are the same, but the OP should be capable of assessing the abilities of her children.

I can't tell if this is sarcasm or not !

Op they will be fine as long as you don't think they will have a party . Just message them to remind them to lock the doors .

😂
I'm not so sure - maybe 30 to be on the safe side?

I think my parents wheat away for a week when I was 17 they will be fine

I'm sure they will be fine. Although I remember that we had similar reservations when we started occasionally leaving our kids on their own overnight when they were at a similar age to yours. It's a first big new step for everybody of course.

Actually I still remind them not to forget to lock the doors etc (I might even do a text reminder - but that's just me, DW thinks I'm silly!) and the older three are in their twenties now!

What we did do was to leave them a list of phone numbers of adult family members/friends they could phone in an emergency if they couldn't get hold of us for some reason. It was never needed though and they were perfectly fine.