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.

Some parents on here are very lax!

Maybe at 30 for an hour or two (especially with a neighbour on standby) but a whole overnight?

You know your kids. We left our two at that age for a week. Told them they could have a small party each, providing they didn't disturb the neighbours and stopped people from smoking in the house. It was fine. They're now 16 & 17 and we're leaving them again this week. My main worry is that the dogs get walked.

😅😅

Mine would have been fine.
Worrying that they can't lock up or turn off appliances. I assume you mean appliances like the hob rather than something like the PlayStation?

I did, two DD's - left the dog in charge of security of course. Came back and they had drunk my pink cava

What appliances are you worried about them leaving on and why? What a strange reason to be concerned about one night on their own.

I would be more worried about a house party, as that’s what I would have done in their position.

You can get married and have kids at 16.

For a few more weeks, anyway.

💯this.

I think research shows that in late bloomers, the brain is still developing new neural pathways well into their 40s. I wouldn't take the risk before they're at least 45.

A puppy is for life, not just for Christmas, as they say.

Only you know them - but your 17 YO could be a parent themselves.

So could the 15 year old, strange argument

1 night, fine. 2, even. After that, I wouldn’t (with my kids) because the joint would be a tip and they’d fight.

I was left on my own every weekend at that age. It's fine imo if they're normal sensible ish kids

I'd be worried about parties personally

So could the 15 year old, strange argument

The law accepts that a 16 year old is responsible enough to be a parent. The same isn’t the case for a 15 year old.

If I had a 17-year-old and a 15-year-old who couldn't be left alone for one night, assuming there are no additional needs or special circumstances, I would probably feel I'd failed as a parent, honestly. They might forget to switch appliances off? So what? It's not the end of the world if the digital display on your washing machine remains illuminated for one night, is it? What appliances are you actually worried about?

At 17 we came home from one night away to find the christmas tree on it's side with broken ornaments, most of our booze gone, muddy carpets and it was clear someone had been sleeping in our bed.

The following year we reluctantly tried another night away and came back to a cleaner, tidier house than when we left.

So I think it depends on the maturity rather than the age!

Of course they can, if they are sensible. They'll probably love it. I was very sensible at their age, cooking, babysitting others, being left alone wouldn't have bothered me. When I first left ds's at home during the day they were thrilled. They loved it. Played x box, ate what I left for them. Zero issues.

Have you asked them? If they are happy, I would do it. If not, I would talk through their concerns and then decide.

Depends if they will kill each other or not. If they’re not going to do that then you’re good to go.

This is a joke, right?
Just because 'their brains are developing' doesn't mean they're vegetables.

I was 17 when I lost my virginity to celebrate my parents leaving me and my siblings (19 and 15) home alone for the weekend for the first time. 4 of us in my parents’ bed - my boyfriend, my best friend, and my best friend’s boyfriend. At one point I vomited (quite tidily in the circumstances) into a crystal ashtray. I actually got pregnant that first time too.

I always tell this anecdote when people tell me they’re leaving their teenagers alone for the first time.

what, so nobody should live alone until they’re 25?! Give over 😂 I was married with kids at that age.

I left my Ds when he was 17 I said he could a little party - 50 guests at least apparently. But my house was left spotless

I feel like the number of people who can't detect the very obvious joke on this thread and the number of late teenagers who can't be left alone must surely be correlated.

@MavisMcMinty blimey you lost your virginity with your best mate and her boyfriend in your parents bed 😳