How late do your teens stay out during the week?

[peskyweans]

DS is 17.5 and has finished school recently. He has a job which ranges from 3-5 days per week, starts at 8am most days.

A lot of his friends are driving now, and he's out in their cars quite often, but seems to be getting later and later that they go out - 9.00 last night. They just drive about or go to drive thrus

But I'm finding the coming home midweek at 11.00/11.00/12.00 really quite annoying. I just can't sleep properly until he's home. I understand it at the weekends when he's properly out somewhere and can be our way later than that, but I'm not up for work the next day, at least.

Is it me? Do I need to accept the age he is, lock the door, and just let him get on with?

Do I need to accept the age he is, lock the door, and just let him get on with?

I think you do.

As long as he is getting up to be on time for work, I think this is the time when he needs to find out for himself how much sleep he needs.
It doesn't sound like he is staying out late at all though - I might have answered differently if you had said he was coming in at 3 or 4 in the morning.

I think any of us who have, or have had older teens can relate to you worrying - especially if they are been driven by other newly passed drivers and in groups, but I think that is just the way it is.

I think you just need to accept it, it's not really his fault you're up worrying because i suspect you'll do that anyway regardless especially when he leaves for uni or moves out you're his parent that's in the fine print but i don't think your worries should stop him living his life plus again it won't stop once he's 18 and then what, you can't put a cerfew on an adult imo

You're going to have to let it go. He's 17, not 7. I know you worry about him and its hard but he needs his freedom at that age.

I think you just have to lock the door and let them get on with it, DS used to do this and it can sometimes be hard to sleep. Is he going off to university as it is much easier then, even though they are probably out much more, it is all a bit irrational really but I think very common.

DS is 6 months older and will hopefully be going to Uni soon. Totally agree with others, you're just going to have to go with, as hard as that can be.

That doesn't even sound that late for a nearly 18 year old. Home by/before midnight is very reasonable and he's holding down a job and appears not to be getting drunk or taking drugs. I'd take going to drive thrus as a win

It was usually around midnight, I don't find that unreasonable at all at that age.

It's hard to remember now except that at 17.5 DS was utterly vile and wouldn’t be told anything. He was out a lot the summer he finished school although fortunately was 18.5 at that point. The driving about aimlessly would have pissed me off though. DS was usually going to someone's house or his gf's and he was pretty good st telling us where.

The late nights are a phase and no you don't sleep until they are in. DD is 24, has been to uni, and no if she's out I don't sleep until she's home

Thanks for the replies.

He did actually sleep in for work two days last week, but again, I guess I need to let him get on with that.

I will try and chill out! Up until a few weeks ago, there was frequent mid week drinking, but that seems to have died down, so yes, I should be thankful, and I am!

I just worry about his sleeping and eating habits, and lack of routine just now.

Hopefully when he has a full time job, that will all improve. Although, I was definitely much the same at his age and older, I suppose.

Thanks.

I’ve given up and just go to bed now! I usually hear the door go and ds will say if he’s gonna be particularly late. He’s 18 and there’s nowt I can do!