Can I leave 14.5 year old for a few hours without a babysitter?

[Stripes84]

My teen is 14.5 years old and used to being at home for a couple of hours on their own in the day/early eve. They are sensible. I am meant to be going out this eve but its around 30 mins away and I would be back around 11.30pm, leaving at around 6pm. We live in a safe road, with good neighbours either side. I have asked DC whether they would like me to ask one of my friends daughters (aged 21) to come and keep them company, or that they could go to their grandparents for the evening, they positively cringed at this suggestion and said they were very much looking forward to being on their own for a few hours with the TV/snacks/house to self. My neighbour on the one side (a lovely lady) has already agreed to be a contact person in case there is any emergency, and of course I would come straight back in the event of this anyway. I am not sure whether I am being ridiculously over the top/mollycoddling. Help, please, mumsnetters.

YABU - its fine for DC to be left!
YANBU - you should get sitter/person to keep company

Lock the drinks cabinet, hide the risque movies, put your stash of hash in the attic, and enjoy your evening out. 😊

I'm joking of course, but the longer you coddle her, the more rebellious she will become I think.

Of course it’s fine!

I was earning good money babysitting at that age.

Totally fine.

Yes, was babysitting others by then!

Rubbish.

wtf of course it’s ok. No wonder kids are more anxious nowadays. They aren’t allowed to do anything

I agree.

These kids could be away at uni or otherwise moving out of home in three and a half years. It's a parents responsibility to gradually relinquish control and teach their children independence.

Jesus fucking Christ.

Our daughter is 14 and loves having the house to herself, we go to a quiz once a month (7 till 11.30pm) which is a 10 min walk from our house. She orders a takeaway and watches what she wants. She's very sensible, knows what do to if there's a fire and check before she answers the door etc.
Think it really depends on the child but we trust her in her own and knows she'll call if she needs anything

They'd hate me then - I sat in a cafe while my 12 year old went to a shop across the road without me! In London! With no phone signal! 🙄😆

Wtf? Your teenager is old enough to babysit other children! To take aeroplanes by herself!

I went on holiday a friend at that age walking between youth hostels.

FGS let her/him grow up. Teach some life skills.

A babysitter for a 14.5 year old? 😂
Of course YAB sooooooooooooooooo U.

I’ve been leaving mine since age 12.

Oh behave 🤣🤣🤣

I honestly despair at some of the stuff I read on here!!
14?! I had a paper round and several babysitting jobs at that age.
I was also regularly going to parties and only a few months off trying to sneak into pubs!!

Absolutely fine mind looks after their 8 Yr old dB as well. They enjoy the time without us

a 14.5 year old is almost an adult. Of course they can be left alone at home.

I think it’s really admirable that you recognize this and you’re trying to work it out. There are posts every day on MN (there was a memorable one a few days ago) from people who think their bloody 16 YEAR OLDS cannot even cross a street, it feels like. That’s a bit hyperbolic, but it’s damn close to that! I think you made a wise decision - you knew your worries were probably being unreasonable and you checked with other mums to be sure. I hope you have a lovely time out, and that your DD has a lovely time at home with snacks and TV!

Oh, and yes, another person who was babysitting at 14 checking in 😊

lol. Imagine how embarrassed her poor dd would be if the person who turned up to babysit her was in the year below her at school.

Can hardly believe this iOS serious question

If they are at secondary school, they should be able to be left alone at home.

Hell, yes, we left our then 15 year old DD home alone for three nights so we could enjoy a couples break. She practically shoved us out of the door! 😅

My cousin and I (15 and 14 at the time) stayed at home alone for 5 days whilst my mum and auntie went on holiday. Abroad, not just up the road. The worst that happened was we cut my hair and dyed it blue 🤣

At 14.5 I was a paid babysitter.