Leaving a 16 year old home while on holiday

[Afewweeksofsummer]

What are peoples views on this? Completely hypothetical situation.

Teen doesn't want to go on UK holiday anymore, next year he will be 16 and my mum thinks that by then it will be fine to leave him home alone for up to a week. Im not so sure and think 16 is still a bit too young.

Erm. When I was 16 my parents left me home alone and I held a MASSIVE house party that royally pissed the neighbours off and ended up losing my virginity...

From the point of view of the 16 years old me... HELL YEAH.

As a parent to a baby girl now, absolutely not, no way.

I think it massively depends on the child. I leave my 16 year old for a week but the younger one would have to grow up massively to be left when she turns 16. The younger one messages loads if I go for the food shopping .
Their dad is a couple of miles away, 16 year old has a mate on the same street and my neighbours are fab so she could go to them if there was any issue she needed help with.

I would be happy to trust them, just worried they'd be a bit lonely. If they've got a friend/ girlfriend to stay for a bit, I'd be more comfortable with it (and have left them in that situation).

Dd will be 16 next summer and I feel like a week is quite a long time to leave her. We will have to build up to that by doing a night or two first.

Capable? Yes

pretty sure most 10 year old would survive a week on their own if push came to shove and their food was in the home

the issue is… I don’t want my 16 year old alone all night for 7 nights, having the responsibility of dealing with any home emergencies, responsible for securing the house every night and waking up alone.

You’d be fine with it. 🤷‍♀️. And given you were living alone and was a mother at 16, I’m not surprised. Whereas at 16… me? I was well and truly at home, having my dinner cooked for me most nights, having my washing done, not thinking about mortgage / rent / grocery shopping / bills etc.

And now, gasp, I’m a fully functioning adult! 😂

And I know what I’d prefer for my 16 year old. My experience of being 16 rather than yours.

For info I think ds would be capable of looking after himself. He can prepare a basic meal, wash his clothes, go to a shop for groceries etc.

I think he'd get lonely as he's a quiet lad, not many close friends and no family nearby. He's not very streetwise, not because I've wrapped him in cotton wool but he hasn't really had to venture out as everything is on our doorstep.

I think it will all come with time once he starts college and work.

I did it and somehow the house was still standing and he was still alive when I came home. Grandparents lived 12 miles away.

Oh apologies - @sparepantsandtoothbrush just jumped on very indignant despite it not being addressed them 😂

Exactly!

Capable? Sure

but is it something I’d want for or feel comfortable with my 16 year old alone for a week… nope.

How l remember the joys of those teenage parties when the parents were away. Our eyes would light up.

People being sick in the freezer and fridge
Breaking the bannisters
Breaking windows
Snogging/shagging in beds.

This eas a naice school in a naice area.

I think that’s fine. Both my DDs would be fine at that age, and we did leave them at that age, but not for a full week. Neither were the type to have parties. They cooked, cleaned, etc.

I sent my 16 year old to my mums for a few days. No way he was staying here on his own! 😬

I was left by my parents for a week at that age and for weekends a little younger. I was fine. Loved it in fact.

I was mature and they trusted me with the house, the dog and the cat and the fish. I did have the odd party but again, they trusted I wouldn’t let it get out of hand and would ensure the house was respected, which I did. I think the worst thing that happened was one of the wine glasses got broken.

We had good neighbours. I’d be ok with it if I trusted the 16 year old in question. I had an absolute ball!

My friends left their 16y son alone for ten days. He is quiet and exceptionally independent and his favourite passion is cooking. No parties, went to school and his grandparents visited at the weekend.

It depends on the child. Some you can genuinely trust. Unlike the MN narrative that all teens will have sex and take drugs the moment your back is turned.

Depends on the child. I think my 16 year would be fine in that he would be able to feed himself and survive. He has a girlfriend so no doubt they would be thrilled but I can't trust him not to have a party!! I have left my parents in the house with him before but I think a whole week would be too much!!

Meh I was left alone for that long while my parents went on holiday. It was fine, I looked after the dog and invited lots of friends over.

I did last year with DS who was 16. I wasn't sure at first and had set up my sister to ask him after a few days if he wanted to stay with her or my parents but DS loved being alone! We have a busy house and DS really enjoyed being here on his own with no hustle and bustle happening and just spent the week on xbox and went into town a few times but didn't have any friends over as he didn't want to have to clean up after them he said!

It all depends on your son though.

I did a week alone at 17, didn't want to go on holiday and my parents were glad to leave the dog with me instead of the kennel. I did have my boyfriend stay with me (my parents knew it and were fine), I think I'd have been a bit freaked out/scared at night on my own otherwise tbh.

I think if you have to ask other people's opinions than the child in question is not ready. Some kids are at that age - most are not.

I think it depends on the 16 year old but I'd hope the majority would be able to manage for a week. I'd work up to it though so overnight, a weekend etc first.

There are 16 year olds and then some other 16 year olds. Only you could judge OP which one your 16 year old is.

16 is too young for a whole week in my opinion, unless you've built up to it already by leaving him for a night, a couple of nights, then three or four nights.

I was 16 ten years ago. My parents went on holiday for a week and I stayed at home. They continuously checked to make sure I was ok, stocked up the fridge prior to leaving. Left me money for a takeaway and ‘emergencies’. I was a pretty quiet and sensible kid, so I think that’s why they thought it was appropriate for me to be left alone. I didn’t party, I had a friend round one or two nights but that’s as far as I went. It does depend on the child.

Depends on the kid.

I had left home at 16 and am still here.