Quick poll - Leaving 16 year old at home instead of family holiday

[Claybury]

There is NO chance I would leave my 16 year old DS home alone while we go away and he is happy to come with us this year, but he keeps hinting to us that most of his friends are staying home alone this year- they have just finished their GCSE's.
I know teenagers love to say ' everyone except me is allowed ...' But a quick poll , would you ? And I don't mean with a granny supervising.

No way!

I doubt I would but I know people who have (up to 6 weeks). Grandparents 1/2 drive away.
The funny part is the returning parents were aghast to find the house wasn't pristine with lots of jobs undone (teens were given lists of jobs to get done) and (whispers) there were signs of uninvited guests and... drinking.

So that is why I probably wouldn't, I wouldn't expect anything but a big mess & plenty of empty beer cans upon my return.

Oldest DSS yes we did. Youngest DSS who is now 18 still not for even a night.

We use, will they turn oven off or forget about cooking food, will they leave house unlocked, will they have a party and will they tidy up as markers.

We also have an outside webcam.

No never!

my DS is 14, I can imagine leaving him in a couple of years for perhaps a weekend - if his behaviour continues to be similar I think I would trust him for that long. Wouldn't want to leave him for any longer I think.

No way!

Mine can't even remember to turn the gas off or the bathroom light,which is connected to extractor fan, let alone her straighteners...

Did with my eldest 16 year old, although she was nearly 17. She was a very mature and sensible girl, had a long term boyfriend and was certainly not one to have parties in the house. We came home to a beautifully clean house, dogs had been walked and looked after. So it can work! Wouldn't have left the others though!!!

Nah not me. The thought wouldn't even cross my mind or my DDs tbh.

This is the first year we're going without her and she'll be 19 in October! I'm having panic attacks about it already!

I went on my last family holiday when I was 16, and I was only tempted along because it was a Proper Holiday (i.e. abroad, not the usual wet week in Wales).

The following year I didn't go with them, but my parents very cleverly fixed me up with a Shakespeare Camp with my uncle's school. I saw a lot of plays, drank a fair bit of beer and lost my virginity in a tent.

But no wild parties at my parents house house

My DC are pre-teen, but I would be very hesitant to leave them alone at 16.

It does obviously depend on the child. Although my son's mates wouldn't be the type that should be left at 16. I'm sure the house would be in an awful state ( though he is good at locking up ) -and I'm pretty sure parties would happen one way or another. He is clueless domestically despite my best efforts.
DD tells me a male class mate ( age 15) was left alone a week recently and there was a party where they have a 'hot room' - they smoke weed in an unventilated room for max effect...

They call it a 'free yard ' as in ' Come round I have a free yard ' - ie parents are out.

No. if they didn't want to holiday with us fine, but they'd be at grandmas.

Yep.
When ds1 was 16 he wanted to stay at home. We let him. He is sensible. I had close friends nearby and we kept in regular contact.
It was fine.

I was left at 16 for several long weekends. I had parties, nothing too bad though.
I did attend a 15 year old acquaintances house party that ended up in national newspapers as it got way way out of control.

We did if we were in the UK but not abroad until DS was 18

I think it was the feeling we were just a drive away not stuck in another country. DS was very good though and left house nice and tidy.

No.

Yes but we did it gradually and at 17 and 16 we have left them for up to 5 nights. They like the lack of interference and we like the time as a couple. My rule for leaving them has always been how long would it be acceptable for them to be out by themselves. Considering they'll be at University in no time i think that its quite important that they can look after themselves. If i couldn't leave an 18 year old (without sn) home alone for a few nights i think i'd be asking myself some serious questions.

My parents left me an DB when we were about that age. So, given that I remember very well what we got up to, it's a definite no from me

No. My DD1 is nearly 16 and pretty sensible but I wouldn't.

I'd be less worried about parties and drinking - I'd be more worried she wouldn't leave her room all week, and would starve to death (despite all my best efforts her cooking ability is dire).

I imagine over the next couple of years I'll build up leaving her alone overnight, and eventually for a week or so before booting her off to uni.

We have just left our dd 17 for a week and all was fine. She had no college that week so did loads of overtime at work which kept her busy. I wouldn't have left her last year at 16 but she has matured a lot this past year so felt happy with it. House was tidy when we got back and the cat was looking fat! The milk had gone off though!

Yes. No point on dragging him off on a holiday he doesn't want to go on to ruin it for everyone else.

No, ds16 is coming with us this year and he says he's happy to atm.
I was thinking this will be the last year though.

When he starts college in September he will the last one to leave the house in the morning, so we'll see how he does with locking the house and ensuring all windows are closed before I decide to leave him to it for any length of time.

DD I would allow.
DS? no way, he (and all his mates) would wreck the house.