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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be super anxious at going on hols without teens.

86 replies

JustAnotherManicMomday · 10/07/2025 23:08

We have 2 teen sons 15 and 18. Both will be staying home alone for the 2 weeks. Grandparents on both sides are no more than 10 minutes by car. Both will keep to themselves. Fridge and freezer full. No worrying about parties etc as they are not very social. In fact if I was home I would only really see them at meal times as spend their time gaming.

They will be checking in on them frequently and we will be calling daily. 2 week cruise as honeymoon due to marriage last year. Aibu to be filed with dread at leaving them that long. Previously done 3 nights with no issues. In the event of an emergency I will book a flight from nearest airport back home. DH thinks everything will be fine but I have been so anxious from when he booked it and now its almost here I'm just so unsure.

OP posts:
ChaChaChaChanges · 10/07/2025 23:09

Honestly? I’d be fine with the 18 year old but not the 15 year old. 2 weeks is a long time. Can the 15 year old stay with grandparents? If not then I’d not do it.

Ilovemychocolate · 10/07/2025 23:14

Wow
I would never

Haggisfish3 · 10/07/2025 23:14

Two weeks?! I think that’s too long. Sorry.

TokyoSushi · 10/07/2025 23:16

Two weeks is a long time for a 15 year old, I don’t think I’d do it, probably not helpful!

Thatsrhesummeroverthen · 10/07/2025 23:18

Would any of the gps be willing to stay over?

BirdSou · 10/07/2025 23:20

I have (sensible) children of a similar age and personally I think 2 weeks is too long for a 15yr old to be left with a sibling.
Could they do 1 week with each set of grandparents?

RoseAlone · 10/07/2025 23:20

I wouldn’t do that I’m afraid. Holidays without them is bad enough but trying to get off a cruise and get home is a nightmare. My niece works on ships and it’s not as easy as booking a flight from the closest place unfortunately.

Glowinglights · 10/07/2025 23:21

2 weeks does sound long, how are they feeling about it (especially the 15 yr old)?
I’d have no problem with 3/4 nights but 2 weeks seems a bit much

craigth162 · 10/07/2025 23:22

Agree 2 weeks is way too long for a 15 year old.

Haggisfish3 · 10/07/2025 23:24

Tbh it sounds like ‘d’h has railroaded you into this.

Littlemisscapable · 10/07/2025 23:25

Oh no. I'm easy going but that is far too long for them. Is the 18 year old 'in charge' ? Alll that gaming..they need some structure. Why are they not coming? Or at least the 15 year old? Yes holidays with teenagers can be a real challenge but also lovely..

Fontet · 10/07/2025 23:27

Have an amazing time away...they will be fine. Enjoy ...

theunbreakablecleopatrajones · 10/07/2025 23:29

The 18 year old is an adult so no issues.

Will he look out for his brother? If so, that’s fair enough.

If not, then I think the grandparents should go and check in every couple of days - if your 1( year old is very grown up and independent then that should be OK - or better could the 15 year old stay with them for a week in the middle of the holiday?

theunbreakablecleopatrajones · 10/07/2025 23:29

Littlemisscapable · 10/07/2025 23:25

Oh no. I'm easy going but that is far too long for them. Is the 18 year old 'in charge' ? Alll that gaming..they need some structure. Why are they not coming? Or at least the 15 year old? Yes holidays with teenagers can be a real challenge but also lovely..

It’s her honeymoon..

Byebyechicken · 10/07/2025 23:30

Littlemisscapable · 10/07/2025 23:25

Oh no. I'm easy going but that is far too long for them. Is the 18 year old 'in charge' ? Alll that gaming..they need some structure. Why are they not coming? Or at least the 15 year old? Yes holidays with teenagers can be a real challenge but also lovely..

It's a honeymoon. Not unusual to want to spend your honeymoon without your teenage DC.

aredcar · 10/07/2025 23:35

No I wouldn’t leave my 15 year old for 2 weeks in the care of another teen. Sorry OP

Orders76 · 10/07/2025 23:35

18 year old ok, can you bring the 15 year old? That's what we'll do.

Dazzlemered · 10/07/2025 23:37

Some of these comments 😂😂

I actually have an 18 year old and a very nearly 15 year old and I would totally leave them. As you said the DGP’s are close and can pop in.

As long as one is able to cook and have tidy up I’m sure they’ll be fine.

ThatCleverCoralCrow · 10/07/2025 23:38

I'd maybe think twice if the 15 year old was generally needy and would struggle with this but it sounds like he won't. The 15 year old has both sets of grandparents nearby checking in regularly and their 18 year old sibling with them. They'll be fine. I was moved out and off to uni at 17! If you're really concerned then have them stay with grandparents.

FoxyLoxyy · 11/07/2025 00:18

I went to the Seychelles last year and left my 18 year old for 10 days. Had his adult sister checking in daily and also my best friend checking in each day too. I spoke to him every day as well via FaceTime. Filled the freezer and also did two remote food shops

I still really worried tbh and although he was fine, he was lonely and said he found it really difficult with the house so quiet

So although I enjoyed my holiday I also spent the 10 days on a sort of high alert and I would never have left him with a 15 year old.

id rethink all this and either have the younger one stay with grandparents or grandparents spend the fortnight at your house - or at least every other night perhaps?

Suednymph · 11/07/2025 00:24

While I do not have an 18 year old I do have a 15 year old and just cannot imagine being away from them at all for 2 weeks let alone leaving them home with a slightly older sibling. 2 nights I would worry, 2 weeks... I just cannot fathom it.

NeedToChangeName · 11/07/2025 00:45

I would and have left an 18 year old for a few days. And if they were comfortable with it, I'd think two weeks is fine

But I wouldn't leave 15 year old for that long

crumblingschools · 11/07/2025 00:45

Do they get on, will 15yo listen to 18yo (if 18yo is sensible). DB and I would have killed each other at those ages if left alone for 2 weeks, and I certainly wouldn’t have taken orders from him.

Gemmawemma9 · 11/07/2025 00:49

I would arrange for the 15 year old to spend a few nights sporadically at grandparents. Maybe 3/4 nights through out each week. I’ve done similar and it worked well. Two weeks is too long for a 15 year old to be left with his brother IMO. Sorry.

SemperIdem · 11/07/2025 00:51

They will be fine. Trust them.