Teenagers home alone?

Question

I would love to plan a trip to Mexico for me and my husband this spring when my daughter is on spring break. She does not want to go. I also have a 19 1/2 year old at home. What do you think, can I leave the two of them home alone for one week? She is pretty responsible for being 16, but has a b-friend 15. I am afraid they might do things they shouldn't ( and I am not talking about throwing a party). So far, I have pretty good kids, who get into the same trouble as most REG. teenagers and nothing more. What do you parents think. Welcome ansers from teenagers their age as well. I am willing to step outsite my parental box, and view all comments with honest answers.

Answer 1

No one can really answer this for you. This all depends on your trust with your daughter.

Good luck.

Answer 2

Im 21. When i was your daughter's age, i was the oldest, so i was taking care of my 14 year old sister. If your kids are really good kids, then trust them. I wish my mom had trusted me. Honestly, your daughter will probably have her b/f spend the night. If you have taught her well, nothing will happen and if it does, she'll be smart about it. Then again, at 19 i was very overprotective of my sister, so there is also the chance the older daughter wont let anything happen. The thing is, your daughter(s) want to be viewed as responsible young adults that you trust. Winning my mom's trust was my number one goal when i was that age. I think if you sit down with your daughters and explain to them that you trust them and that you know they are responsible, they will act that way. If you lecture them and tell them, "if you do this and that, you'll be in so much trouble!!" they're gonna rebel and do it. From what your question read, you seem like a level-headed woman who is raising two great daughters. Keep up the good work, and all the best of luck to you. Have fun in Mexico!!

Answer 3

I'm 21 yrs old, but when I was your daughters age, my parents didn't trust me. At all, even though I gave them no reason to distrust me. They only left me alone if someone was watching me, or if I was at a friends house. Thats probably why when I turned 18 I literally turned into this rebel person that I'm ashamed of now. I drank way too much, partied way too much...it was bad.

It sounds like your kids are good kids. A little trust goes a *long* way. And if you tell them that you trust them, chances are that will reinforce their resolve to *keep* your trust. You sound like a level headed mom, which means you've probably educated your daughters. If they do something, then at least they'll be smart about it, and if they don't then they have fully earned your trust.

Also, just because you're home doesn't mean that they aren't already doing something they shouldn't be doing. You'd be surprised at how crafty teens can be when they really want something.

I say, go ahead and take your trip and have FUN.

Answer 4

I understand you wanting to get away but I was a teenager once and they will most likely have guys over and have sex. Chances are they have had it anyway (hate to say this) because soon my kids will be around this age. If it were me I would either take the 16 year old with me, get an adult to stay with them, or not go. Here are some other things to think of. If they have a party and kids get drunk they can mess up your house, steal or if God forbid a kid get killed drinking and driving you can be sued. Sorry but these are all the things that I would think of if it were me. Good luck.

Answer 5

Honestly, if your kids have never given you a reason to not trust them, then you should trust them. I'm 17 and my mom trusts me. I have never done anything that she shouldn't. And with your 19 1/2 year old there nothing will probably happen. When i was 16 my mom left for a couple days and my 20 year old sister was here. We actually got along during that time. It could be a good thing.

Answer 6

hi! im 17!!so im coming from a teenagers point of view...ok so you say that your teenagers are just as good as other reg teenagers....but you never said in the question whether you genuinely trust them or not?
why dont you give them a break and trust that they are not going to get up to anything..not all teenagers follow the 'typical teenager' trend. i dont..im still a virgin!! not cause i dont have a boyfriend but its just i have better things to be doing!!ill have time for it when i am older!! i dont drink!! (over here the legal age is 18) so trust that your 16 yr old wont get up to much....!!! not too sure about the 19 and a half yr old...!!!

hope i helped a teeney bit at least!!

Answer 7

It's really up to you. Is there a relative or close friend who could check up on them every once in a while? That way they would know that whatever they are doing Uncle Jack may come by or they might have someone who will call. Do they know about safety? You could set ground rules for them and have your relative come by and ensure they're okay. Or you could have a relative come by every night at a certain time to ensure the doors are locked and they are safe at home.

I think these things should only be done if the parents are 110% comfortable with their decision. You wouldn't want to ruin your vacation because you're worried about your children the whole time! Best of luck...let us know what you decide!

Answer 8

When I was growing up, my dad was really sick so he stayed in the hospital a lot. Therefore, I was stuck at home by myself a lot. I'll tell you this, being 16 and 19, and not wanting to go to mexico- they are definetely trying to pull a fast one. If you did plan on leaving them by themselves you should give them something to do. Or at least have a neighbor watch. I can say this cause I myself am 19. I would never consider myself as a bad kid growing up, but when teenagers are left to themselves- they are normally scheming up something.

Answer 9

Honestly it depends on her feelings about that kind of thing. i would trust them being home alone if they dont have a past history of anything bad(drug use, etc.) but seriously sit down and talk with your daughter about it. I'm 16 and yes when my mom goes out of town i sometimes have my bf over and things happen but i also call her and tell her he's coming over so she knows. I think if you talk with her and let her be completely honest without flippin on her things should be ok and you should get some kind of clue as to what she would think about doing if you went away.

Answer 10

If they really want to have sex, they'll find a way to do it whether you are around or not. Going on a trip isn't going to make any difference.

You said that you think of your daughter as pretty responsible. Don't you think that you should recognize that responsibility? Think about it. If you were 16 and had behaved in such a way that your parents should trust you, wouldn't you resent it if they didn't trust you?

Answer 11

well... if i was your daughter. yeah, i admite, i would have some friends over. and probably my bf. but i would respect the fact that my parents want me to be responsible and so i would do that

but seriously... if the 16 yr wants to do something with her bf... she will do it whether or not you are in mexico. so really, it doesnt have much effect. just possible more.

idk... if i were you, i would probably go. but give a family member or neighbor a key or something, so they can randomly check up on the kids, and the kids will know they are gonna be watched, so they probably wont get into any trouble

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