Leaving DS13 while we meet friends locally?

[Bet01]

DS is 13 and very sensible/mature for his age. I’m wondering whether it’s fine to meet friends for a couple of hours in the evening approx. 7-9pm at a local wine bar, and leave him at home. We live in a terraced street and he knows our neighbours, who are all lovely.

He’s desperate for DH and I to let him (not for nefarious reasons, I don’t think!) Usually we’d ask a babysitter to come round, but I wonder if he’s just too old for that now? We’d be 10 mins away if he needed us to come home, he has his own phone to ring us.

interested to hear what others do? Appreciate all teens are different…

When I was 13 I had a regular babysitting job!

I wouldn't give it a second thought at that age to be honest.

Absolutely fine at that age.

Sounds like I’m being a bit PFB about it and I need to chill out 😂

My DD is 13, autistic, hasn't been able to attend school for two years and isn't able to leave the house unaccompanied. She's still 100% safe and happy at home alone because it's her safe space, she's very sensible, knows all the 'rules' about being home alone, always has her phone by her side to contact me or her dad if she has any concerns or issues.

Been leaving her at home for anything between an hour and six hours at a time for several months now. She not only copes well, she LOVES it and the feeling of freedom from having only the cats for company for a bit has actually helped her to grow and develop and mature in a way that has surprised us.

Do you already leave your DS home alone for a few hours during the day? If so then he will 100% be OK in the evening too, and he's telling you he is happy about it so go for it!

If he isn't used to being at home alone at all yet though, I wouldn't recommend starting with evenings. Let him get really confident and experienced in daylight hours first.

Thank you @BlibBlabBlob that's really good to know. DS is similar in that he likes time on his own with responsibility for looking after Ddog and you're right, he does stay on his own in the day while we go to the shops or the gym. So really the evening shouldn't be too different. We'll go for it. Looking forward to a wine or two now!

I was babysitting other people's kids at that age!

I let my 14YO niece babysit my toddler whilst we go out locally!

Another one here who was babysitting other kids at that age.

In 5 years time he will be going off to uni and looking after himself for weeks on end. It’s good to start on that path by letting himbe self-sufficient for a couple of hours whilst you are nearby just in case.

I don't get home until 9pm with my younger DD (11) once a week from a club My elder DD, 12, has elected not to come with me for nearly a year now.

9pm isn't late really.

Goodness me absolutely yes! I leave my 11 year old for an hour or so on his own (not in the evening yet), but if he’s sensible and knows what to do in an emergency?!

I can't wait until I can do this!