y12 child home alone

[wishiwasinbarbados]

…for 2 weeks whilst parents are 6000 miles away for work.

Don't know much about this family, but 17yr old seems sensible enough to me and seems fine with the situation. I just don't think I would have left my own 17yr old for that long? Is it too long??

Well, if the 17 year old is happy with it then great. If the 17 year old really, really isn't then that's quite shit.

@muddyford that'll teach me to read the OP more carefully, thanks for pointing that out! As it's for work, then it's probably the best option rather than take the 17 year old away from school for a fortnight.

In the absence of any other evidence, I would assume that the parents have a well thought out plan for any emergencies, perhaps a family member or friend popping round occasionally and being available for support if needed.

Of course it’s fine.

What are the circumstances? We make sure our holiday plans are agreed with everyone now that they are older, and DS will be bringing his girlfriend next time too. I'd hate to choose a place they didn't want to go to and then miss out on a family holiday together.

It depends on the kid.

With me, it would have been fine, but i wouldn't leave my own son.

My 17yo would be absolutely fine to be left alone for a couple of weeks. She's sensible enough that I know she'd look after the house and cat, wouldn't throw wild parties and would only invite equally sensible friends round.

It wouldn't happen though as I think she'd probably murder us if we didn't invite her on holiday with us!

Totally depends on the teenager. I would have been fine at that age (perhaps with a couple of phone numbers to call in case of emergencies but tbh that is also the case in my 30s). I would have been either at school, with friends or at clubs, then doing homework or watching tv at home. May have had a friend stay over at the weekend.
My cousin however would have been a total liability and parents would have come home to a trashed house.

Depends if the 17yo is sensible, has no SN which would pose a problem, and whether he/she is happy with the idea.

I was married with a child at 17. I don't recommend that but I'm sure any sensible 17 year old would cope just fine.

I agree. It seems to be happening more and more.

It's for work rather than a holiday though so probably not the same.

If the 17yo thinks it's fine, and the parents clearly do otherwise they wouldn't have suggested/agreed to it, then it's fine. I'm struggling to see what it has to do with you @wishiwasinbarbados when you say you don't know them that well?

I lived on my own when I was 17, worked and went to college...what's your issue with this family.

I lived alone at 16

I was already at university living away from home at 17. It’s plenty old enough to be left unsupervised if they are trustworthy.

My DD moved out when she was 17 into a shared uni accommodation flat. I wasn’t 6,000 miles away but several hours travel so would not be able to monitor what she was up to.

For most 17 year olds, they should be perfectly capable of looking after themselves for a fortnight. If they can’t then there is an issue as they are on the brink of adulthood so should be able to cook, clean, wash clothes and manage their life.

the only concern that I’d have is for the house - would she have had a party and damaged something as we have loads of antique fittings and furniture.

Surely it’s how kids learn to be adults?

I lived alone from 16. I'm sure they wouldn't have left them alone for 2 weeks if they thought it would be an issue.

Absolutely fine.

depends on the child. i trust my eldest with my life yet my twins who are just a year younger i probably wont be comfortable even after 18 😅

Absolutely fine.

There are 17 year olds living away from home at university all over the UK right now, many of whom will have come from overseas.

FFs, a 17 year old can get married or join the Armed Forces and you think they shouldn't be at home alone. No wonder our young folk are nervous wrecks that can answer a phone. It is mothers like you that cause such anxiety in young adults.

When I was 17 I had my own home, and a child

People used to knock the door and ask me 'is your Mum there'

No way would I do this with my dc....but a very mature sensible teenager who's self sufficient might be ok. Two weeks is a long time though.. I'd hope there would be at least some nearby family to keep an eye on them.

For a minute I thought you meant a 12 year old! I think 17 is fine in principle - but would be good if they have a relative/friend to call on sometimes in case of wobbles!

This at 17 I had a 2 year old and was living alone and had been for a year. It seems crazy to me that a 17 year old wouldn't be left alone for 2 weeks.