2007-12-03 02:50:28 · 25 answers · asked by answers 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Adolescent
I'm a late teen and personally I think that as long as my sister wasn't here.... I'd be fine... My dad's never been around anyways so it wouldn't be that big of a jump... especially for just a week... (My mom would never go for that tho...)
2007-12-03 02:54:55 · answer #1 · answered by Reduviidae 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
My husband and I went for a week's holiday in September and left our children aged 17, 15, 14 and 11 to get themselves off to school each day AND take care of our small farm. We phoned them a couple of times each day to check everything was OK, they had older siblings on call if need be, and apart from a few wilted plants they managed spectacularly.
This is the test of your parenting, and really, the only way to find out is to try. Maybe just a weekend the first time?
2007-12-03 11:20:09 · answer #2 · answered by Hex the Fundies (JPAA) 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
How late teens. 18, 19 sure ok. 16-17, in theory they should be ok, but the temptation to skip school for the week or throw parties while the parents are out might be too great. And even if your kids aren't likely to go wild on their own, sometimes it is easy for their friends to convince them this is a great time to throw a party or otherwise take advantage of the parents being gone.
Your best bet would be to arrange for an adult relative or friend to stay in your home with them or if that isn't possible, to arrange for one of the neighbors to check in with them a couple of times a day and keep an eye on the house for you.
My main concern would be that if something unfortunate happened while you were gone, you may not forgive yourself.
2007-12-03 10:59:19 · answer #3 · answered by Invisigoth 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I'm 16 and in the summer I was left on my own for a week to myself. It actually makes you realise how independent you have to be and helped me alot. I also had work alot thats the main reason I stayed home, so for alot of the time i wasn't around. Two days before my parents came back with my sisters i tidied the whole house for them as they had given me the trust to leave me i thought i should give them something back. Even if it is only small. Give you teenagers that trust and tell them how much this means you are giving them.
2007-12-04 04:22:03 · answer #4 · answered by CP 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
they should be able too, unless of course you have babied them their whole life and they depend on you for everything. The bigger question is if you TRUST them being unsupervised for that long.
My mom did it with us once, made this mistake of telling us when she was going, how long and stuff, my sister advertised a small gathering at the house and over a period of 3 weeks the rumor got around and we had about 200 people at the house... i recommend not telling them untill the night before you are leaving, tell them you will be home the following day sometime, the phone the next day, tell them you will be home the next day sometime,,, and so on, that way they cant plan something if you could show up at any point.
2007-12-03 11:05:39 · answer #5 · answered by louie 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
we went away for 1 week, and left our 2 at home, age 17 and 19. they had a ball. i filled the fridge and freezer up making sure they had plenty in to eat. it was the first holiday we had had on our own in 20 years, we had a fantastic time, although we did phone them every night to make sure they was managing OK, when we got home they appreciate what we do for them more. IE cooking cleaning ironing washing and lending them money. we should have done it years ago. you know your kids best, if you think they will be ok go for it you could always ask a neighbour to look in on them
2007-12-03 14:34:24 · answer #6 · answered by mickeyfish 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes most teens are perfectly capable of taking care of themselves for a week. Access to food and technology is all that they need to keep entertained 4 a week while your gone. Plus it gives them a way to feel responsible.
2007-12-03 13:15:16 · answer #7 · answered by Mandy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My parents used to leave me at home and go to the beach when I was 16-17 and I was fine.
I think it all depends on the kids. If they're responsible kids, meaning they've been demonstrating that fact by staying out of trouble, getting to school on time and taking care of their schoolwork like they're supposed to, then I wouldn't worry about leaving them for a week. But if they were irresponsible, too interested in parties and not interested enough in school, always making excuses bratty-types, I wouldn't dare leave them alone overnight-- much less for a week.
2007-12-03 10:56:20 · answer #8 · answered by Rachael 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
As long as my parents left one of the cars and plenty of food in the house I could. It would also help if my sister wasn't home from school because most of the time I can't stand her and we would just fight the entire time. Maybe that means we're not mature enough to be left alone? :-P
I think I'd be ok though.
2007-12-03 11:24:43 · answer #9 · answered by ... 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My kids aren't in their late teens. My sister has left her kids home alone and had friends and family check on them. So, far nothing has happen. Plus, she has one still at home but soon to leave for college.
2007-12-03 12:17:42 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
My son is 18 tomorrow and I wouldnt hesitate leaving him by himself we have left him for odd weekend.... but I honestly believe it depends on the teen.... he works full time and when at school he worked part time.... is a capable cook and very trustworthy, he is very sociable and has plenty of friends but respects our house and wouldnt have lots of people in and out all the time..... the one thing though is I dont trust him to care for my dogs they usually go and stay with friends.... fearful he would forget to feed them or leave water out for them
2007-12-04 11:00:56 · answer #11 · answered by dee9166 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋