Just Curious- Age To Leave Kids At Home

[Smowball]

Was talking to a couple of friends yesterday and said I was thinking of maybe going away for 4/5 days in the Easter holidays but only if son wanted to come with us. They both said why don't you leave him at home?? I said don't be daft he's still at school- he is 16, will be 17 in September. They thought I was mad and said that he is old enough to get married, get a job etc..... I'm still not leaving him but just curious as to all of your opinions?

[Arksided]

Does he get a vote?

[hc4361]

Every child is different. I left home shortly after my 16th birthday and survived.
Some 'children' aren't capable of looking after themselves in their early 20s.

Depends how mature he is and whether or not you can trust him.

[ummmm]

I leave my 17 year old. Have done for a few years. My cousin works close by though and used to pop in after work every day.

[bhg481]

You know your son better than we do. Is he sensible? Can he cater for himself?

[taichiperson]

Personally I think it depends on the child - we left ours home alone at around 18. If he can feed himself and be trusted not to have a massive party and trash the place, you're probably OK to leave him.

[bookbinder]

It's not just a question of age; it's also a question the child's maturity, sense of responsibility, and so on. If you think that your son can handle being master of himself and the house for a few days, then, fine, leave him to it, but a short break is probably long enough for a test of that sort.

[-SharonA-]

It really does depend on the child. Some are more mature and streetwise, whereas others are totally incapable of being left alone.

[Sqad]

What sort of kids are they? Responsible, sensible, have sensible and law abiding friends?
I don't know your kids.
In the 50's if they were disciplined, then perhaps 16 yrs old or perhaps younger.
Today............I wouldn't leave them at home until they had left home..........different world today. They can go to Magaluff and have a "riot" there.

[Smowball]

I think he's pretty sensible but he's done the odd daft thing like come in and not shut front door properly so when I get home it's actually open. Has not turned bathroom tap off fully and water was running onto flannel and then running down onto floor

[Smowball]

He's actually at this minute cooking a prawn risotto for us for Mothers Day

[ummmm]

I'd give him the benefit of the doubt.

[pixie374]

I also think it's individual and not age. But your peace of mind is important too. There's no point going away for a few days and spending most of it worrying about whether he is ok.

[Doof45]

Your son would probably be fine Snowball, but you would probably spend your holiday worrying in case he isn't t fine. Maybe best to start with just one night away some time and see how it goes.

[ummmm]

With smart phones, tablets and laptops it's very easy to stay in contact.

[MallyJ]

Test the water first with an overnight stay away and see how that goes. I couldn't wait to be home alone .. not to do anything daft but to just be alone. I stopped going on family holidays at 16. 3 weeks home alone ...loved it.

[Smowball]

He has been left for one night before . He didn't want to come abroad with us last year as he isn't a sun lover so went to his dad's . I got the flight dates wrong and it ended up that he had to come home alone on the Sunday and we landed Monday breakfast time

[-SharonA-]

// he's pretty sensible but he's done the odd daft thing like come in and not shut front door properly so when I get home it's actually open. Has not turned bathroom tap off fully and water was running onto flannel and then running down onto floor//
Snowball my son who is 33 has done this at this age, was glad when he finally moved out.

[trt]

## I leave my 17 year old. Have done for a few years. ##

Surprised by that ummmm, because he or she would have only been 14/15, and not at all old enough.

## With smart phones, tablets and laptops it's very easy to stay in contact. ##

Yes, you can stay in contact, but to far away to really help!

[ummmm]

trt...he's not an only child. Leaving him just meant he was responsible for getting himself up, do his paper round and off to school, cook his own dinner...etc...his brother would be home after work. But at 17 I wouldn't rely on his brother to be here every night.

[Retrochic]

I would not leave a 16 year old overnight, anything could happen. Leaving a child alone to go away on holiday for 4/5 days - incredible....