Leaving 17 year old home alone?

[chickencurry123]

Hi, first post so please be gentle. I’m married to a man who is older than me (by 17 years). We currently have a 15 year old son (16 in two weeks). Myself and husband are looking at going on an Asia cruise in feb 2027 (son will be 17y4m). We will be away for 2 weeks and as long as he passes his GCSE’s, he will be at college doing his A levels, Is this too young to leave him for 2 weeks? My sister is 5 minutes away, and we live in a nice area with lovely neighbours. The reason I mention my husbands age is that he feels he will be too old if we leave it another year! Our son is very excited about the prospect of being left alone and is self sufficient already (he can cook,but I will leave home made meals for him in the freezer) x

“A lot of 17 year olds live alone.” Really? A lot?

I will be leaving my dd home alone next Easter, same age, and the idea of making her dinners before is kinda wild. She’s nearly an adult!!

I think it really depends on what he's like. I was left for a week at 15 and had a massive party, parents were annoyed but they knew I was a partier - even looking back now as an adult I think they made a huge mistake because it was in character for me. My oldest is 14 and unless he changes over the next few years he would be fine at 16/17 and wouldn't party as he's totally different to how I was...thank god!

Okay this was a gazillion years ago but I stayed home to look after the dog at 17 - we lived very rurally so couldn't really be left until I had my driving licence.
My parents (Mum) were worriers. Mobiles didn't exist (well they did but not many people had them). They got their holiday and I got much needed peace and quiet for revising.

They often have mock exams in Feb, and even if they don't that is the height of pre-Alevel stress. After the exams, yes. Before them, not a chance.

Thank you everyone for your valid points and opinions. I have decided to wait until he’s 18. I just know I would be worrying the whole time!

I think it would be fine and I wouldn’t judge anyone doing so BUT personally I wouldn’t for 2 weeks. I would for a weekend and a week at a stretch. But 2 weeks feels abit long. Also I would be thinking it’s only a year or so and they will be gone and then I can go unfettered.

I have a ds 17 and I wouldn't do this. My ds is well behaved but forgetful...I'd be very worried about things like closing windows, locking the doors, turning off electrical items etc. Also if you're on a cruise, what would you do in an emergency...it's surely much harder to get yourself home at short notice when you're on a ship in the middle of the ocean. I think a long weekend or even a week holiday would be fine providing your ds is responsible

I think two weeks is a long time to leave him, though I suppose he'll probably be ok.

It seems pretty unusual to me that you'd go on such a big holiday without planning to take the dc that are part of your family. I can't imagine leaving a child at home really, I'd worry about how it would feel for them.