Holiday without kids

[watermelonmoonshine]

My husband and I have never gone away without kids, and they turn 16 and 12 this year! From talking with friends and reading threads on here, it seems like we’re the only ones - and it is definitely not through choice! We have no family to help.
A friend’s daughter has just turned 18 and I’m considering asking her if she could sleep here for a couple of nights to allow us to go away (her parents would be close by). Would you do this and how much should we offer to pay her?

I didn’t leave mine until the youngest had left school.

I started leaving mine when they were 16 and 17 with their 27 year old DB who would come and stay. Then gradually my younger two asked to be left alone as they needed their brother less and less.

We have left them for weekends with GP etc but never had a holiday abroad without them, this year after 22 years we are!!!! However it is proving difficult to decide where to go when you have no one else to think about!!!

I wouldn't leave an 18year old who isn't even a family member in charge of my 12 year old. 16 year old maybe if they are mature.

I understand its easy for me to say because I've had 2 child free holidays where my DM had my child for a week and my nice who is a 23 year old social worker had my child for a long weekend

At an absolute push in your circumstances I'd say 1 night, and £50 plus takeaway money

Yes I would. I'd stay in the U.K. the first time as you will be less anxious!

How much to pay depends on how well you know her, how she gets along with your kids and what are you expecting. Leaving pizzas to cook one night, money for a takeaway the other and she's only there to keep them safe is different to having to actually take the younger one places etc.

I left mine at 13&15 with a paid sitter they knew and we just gave her a £100 John Lewis gift card as she'd recently moved house, but she was working, and my younger dd did the cooking, all clubs covered by lifts, public transport or taxi, she actually asked to come back!

Should add 4 nights, but my 13 year old was the super sensible one, still is.

My parents always had holidays on their own. No family either - they paid for a family friend to stay with her two kids, then when we were teens I recall some rather irresponsible Aussie girls staying a couple times!
Not sure your 16 year old would be happy, and it's a lot to put on an 18 year old. I'd ask someone in their 20s.