Leaving 17 year old home alone for a week

[Pinknelly1982]

I don’t want to but she refuses point blank to come with us on holiday. She moaned we were not going on holidays and now we are. She doesn’t want to come - she wants to stay on her own at home.

Lock up your spirits cabinet!

I don get it - what's the problem? I stayed home alone for a week at 17, and that was long before the internet, mobiles etc so I didn't hear from my parents at all. And we were all much happier...... I loved my week alone, and they didn't have a horrible teen ruining their holiday. Just let her stay at home, please.

My friend went to university at 17. She should be fine. But only you know your daughter.

Is she capable of cooking for herself and fairly sensible? Have you neighbours close by to keep an eye on her or who she can call if she needs anything

Somebody mentioned a ring doorbell that's genuis you can see if the party goers arriving 😂

Thats a good point, damn cameras on the house, on the door, in the kitchen. How are teenagers meant to teenage any more!

I stayed home once when I was 17 while the rest of the family went on holiday (my choice) I never did it again as I realised I was missing out on free holidays! 😅 Also my parents had to redecorate I trashed the house that much with parties! 🙈

Of course. In a year at 18 a high proportion of teenagers move out into uni accommodation. If you don't think they're self sufficient enough to manage a week you have some work to do! Main risk obviously party/trash but that's trust not capability.

I went to university at 17, five hours from home. Compared to that, being home alone would have been a breeze!

I was left at 16, for 3 weeks, looking after my gran who lived with us 😂 So weird now when I think I get my kids to text if they go to the park 🙄 From 16 on, both my brother and I alternated looking after grandparents when the rest of the family went away.

My mum had scheduled neighbours and my aunt to pop in every few days as far as I remember...

I have memories of eating taramasalata and pitta for days on end, then switching to something else unsuitable as a main foodstuff and I LOVED IT 😂 Cooked Gran 3 squares a day though 👍🏼

looks like you are going to have to loosen those apron strings... 17 is plenty old enough to be left home alone.

you're gonna have to put some trust in her.. lay down rules and boundaries and perhaps have a close friend or neighbour keep an eye out.

but unless there's some back story you are going to drip feed about previous experiences with wild parties etc.. you need to enjoy your holiday

They should be in the park with cider like we used to do !

Does she have a job ? If so you can explain in advance she will need to pay for any damage caused by the parties from her action wages plus allowance.

Otherwise fine as long as she has emergency cash available

I left home at 17. Honestly just go and enjoy yourself and maybe ask a family member to check in on her every other day if you're worried

I could definitely trust my 17 year old NOT to have a party. Not his style.

However, he'd forget to put the bins out or feed the cat. Mind you, so would DH and he's 50...

Free house!