Staying home alone overnight?

[alexiavalentine]

What age do you think is okay to stay home alone overnight? My dd 15 wants to when me and dh are going out for a meal and then staying at a hotel about an hour away, she's home alone quite a lot, and we've left her until about 10:30pm before, but i think 15 is still too young for a whole night, am i being overly cautious?

Ours was mid 16 when we said yes and to be fair he would of been fine a bit earlier I think as long as they know lock doors, Turn off ovens etc xx

@mommabear2386

Ours was mid 16 when we said yes and to be fair he would of been fine a bit earlier I think as long as they know lock doors, Turn off ovens etc xx

thank you xx

Would she be likely to have a party, would be my immediate question?

Or mates over, that got out of hand? Is there someone nearby for her in an emergency?

I would be wanting to know why she was so keen for you to go away.

No way would l leave her…

Mine are sensible and wouldn’t have a party etc but I’d feel uneasy leaving them overnight before about 17-18.

DP is having this problem at the mo as his ex keeps bailing on her nights to have DCs when he’s supposed to come and visit me. He was ok with his 16 and 14 y/o being left home alone but I’d honestly feel awful if he was here with me instead of home with them. As a one-off where there wasn’t a serious alternative I can almost get on board with it, but as a regular (2-3 times a week) thing I’m just not ok with it. Once they’re 18 & 16 I’ll feel a bit better about it.

I lived alone at 16 and never had any house parties gosh not every kid would be planning that

Depends on the individual.

Left DS home alone age 15, he got a pal over to stay, they ordered pizza and spent the night gaming.

Left DD home alone age 15, she had a fekking house party.

Depends on the individual. I would have been sensible and reliable at that age, but my mate would (and did!) invite loads of people over. My DCs would’ve been fine.

I would not be leaving a 15 year old, full stop, and I would be very suspicious as to why she's so keen to be left alone overnight.

Don't do this.

I’d expect either a house party or a visit from her bf

I would change my plans and not go for a meal and stay in a hotel an hour away, surely you could come home?

16 at the youngest, and even then with a lot of caveats!
Not sure we left dd (eldest) alone as she had ds, but the first time they were 17 & 15 (no party but ds had a few friends round snd dd annoyed as trying to revise for mocks). We also left ds at just 17 last summer term - it was a school night and I said he could have a few friends over and a couple to stay (he did & they left an unholy mess, plus they left upstairs windows open). We are leaving him again in a few weeks on a Sat night. I have no doubt he’ll have a gathering of some sort, although I will try and dissuade him from having an actual party, any damage he will have to pay for and I will make that very clear.

Ds was fine at 17, is away at school now.
Dd is 15.5 and we’re away next weekend and she’s going to a friend for the night. I think she’s just a bit too young, even though she’s sensible, capable and would be happy to stay here alone.

Next year I think.