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Teenagers

Parenting teenagers has its ups and downs. Get advice from Mumsnetters here.

Original poster

Working while teenager at home

37 replies

Rosebud2005 · 12/06/2021 20:52

Would you be happy to leave your 15 yr old to go to work? Coming up to the holidays, I’ve been thinking about taking up shifts at my nhs job as I haven’t had the chance to for the last year. It’s bank work so not necessarily urgent I go in. Dh does work from home these days but will have to start going into the office at times again. Ds is quite capable around making himself food etc but would you leave them for work at that age?

OP posts:
allthegoodusernameshavegone · 12/06/2021 20:57

At 15 definitely, don’t they have holiday jobs at that age anyway?

Original poster
Rosebud2005 · 12/06/2021 20:58

Not him lol

OP posts:
AlexaShutUp · 12/06/2021 21:00

At 15? Goodness, yes.

I can't actually see any reason not to leave them at that age. Assuming no special needs, they are presumably more than capable of looking after themselves and would know what to do in an emergency etc. And they're independent enough to take themselves out to meet friends etc, so they won't be isolated.

What are your concerns, exactly?

Chasingsquirrels · 12/06/2021 21:03

15, definitely okay if no other issues.

Hughbert · 12/06/2021 21:05

Would not occur to me in the slightest not to.

Original poster
Rosebud2005 · 12/06/2021 21:06

Well I am I’m pretty confident in his capabilities. Although not entirely sure of he’d know what to do in some. I just haven’t worked for quite a long time so guess I’m just a bit nervous of leaving him for full days. Not that we don’t right now, but obviously work takes longer... Thanks x

OP posts:
AlexaShutUp · 12/06/2021 21:36

Have you asked him how he feels about it, OP? I'm sure he'll be fine and it's just a bit of nervousness on your part about going back to work. Maybe run through a few scenarios with him to ensure that he knows what to do if something goes wrong. He'll probably surprise you. Remember, he'll be an adult in 3 short years, so it's good for him to start practising some independence skills now.

kowari · 12/06/2021 21:44

I'm a lone parent of a 15 year old. I've been leaving him to work in the holidays at 11. Twenty days annual leave plus bank holidays does not come close to covering school holidays. At 15 (assuming no significant special needs) I couldn't imagine giving it a second thought!

kowari · 12/06/2021 21:44

*from 11

WeAllHaveWings · 12/06/2021 22:23

I wouldn't have a problem at 15.

Agree where he can go if he goes out and when he has to call to confirm, make sure he is reliable locking the door when he leaves and has enough for bus fares/lunch with friends. Ds had £10 tucked into his phone case for emergencies.

SaltedCaramelIcedLatte · 12/06/2021 22:24

He is 15, why is this even a question?

Original poster
Rosebud2005 · 13/06/2021 19:01

Ok how’s about this one... how far would you allow your 15 yr old to travel with a friend to go out for the day? Lol... etc any Scottish people would you allow Glasgow to Ayr by train?

OP posts:
Nataliafalka · 13/06/2021 19:02

Of course. It’s a non conversation if they’re NT

Original poster
Rosebud2005 · 13/06/2021 19:07

What does NT mean?

OP posts:
AllThatGlistensIs · 13/06/2021 19:10

Neurotypical.

Why on earth wouldn’t you leave him? Does he have any additional needs?

kowari · 13/06/2021 19:14

Not Scottish, but looked it up and that's less than an hour by train. I'd have let DS do that with a friend at 13 certainly.

Original poster
Rosebud2005 · 13/06/2021 19:15

Aw ok.
Not anything that’s ever been noted. However he is waiting in meetings with cahms.
I’m not too worried about leaving him for work. Just wanted to get opinions on what others would do. I trust him to be careful

OP posts:
WeAllHaveWings · 13/06/2021 22:59

Ds and his friends went from Kilmarnock to Glasgow on the train a couple of times pre pandemic aged 15, went shopping and to nandos or TGIs so I wouldn't have a problem Glasgow to Ayr during the day if they are sensible lads.

Now in pandemic times it is up to you depending on your attitude to risk, last time I looked, positive cases in south ayrshire were rising steeply and at this moment I personally wouldn't be keen on him going on public transport or eating in as I know he isn't that good at regularly cleaning hands/remember mask/distancing. East ayrshire also rising and we've just had notice tonight one of ds's schools secondary year groups have all to stay at home tomorrow, there was also a full primary school shut last week. But then I am risk adverse generally.

Original poster
Rosebud2005 · 13/06/2021 23:30

Oh great!

OP posts:
Iggi999 · 13/06/2021 23:42

I'd be more worried about why he wants to go to Ayr - to get drunk and have sex on the beach possibly Grin

Original poster
Rosebud2005 · 13/06/2021 23:52

No they went to the beach apparently

OP posts:
BackforGood · 14/06/2021 00:12

Like everyone else, I'm not sure why this is even a question at 15.

11, or 12, maybe, if you were out for a very long day + commute.

How far would you allow your 15 yr old to travel with a friend to go out for the day? Lol... etc any Scottish people would you allow Glasgow to Ayr by train?

As far as they could afford, and wanted to go (sorry, I don't know how far that particular journey is).

They do seem slightly strange questions for a 15 year old.
Do you have concerns about his abilities ?

IAmDaveTheSerialShagger · 14/06/2021 01:46

Surely being bank shifts you can choose when to work them?

WeAllHaveWings · 14/06/2021 11:53

@Iggi999

I'd be more worried about why he wants to go to Ayr - to get drunk and have sex on the beach possibly Grin
Are you speaking from personal experience, because I have NEVER done that on Ayr beach 🤫

They'll be going for the cultural experience, maybe to visit Burns Cottage and also there is the high street shopping experience surely?

Newmama29 · 14/06/2021 11:55

@Rosebud2005

Ok how’s about this one... how far would you allow your 15 yr old to travel with a friend to go out for the day? Lol... etc any Scottish people would you allow Glasgow to Ayr by train?
I’m Scottish & from Ayrshire. I would get the train to Glasgow for the day with my friends from about 14/15