at what age would you leave your kids at home?

[dudspizza]

I think it is a good idea to try leaving them home along this summer for a night while we are at the cabin.... it is only 45 minutes away..... maybe do that a few times so they can get used to it....... maybe one of those times return home unannounced to see how things are going.........

Duds

 

[Hannathy]

Nope, wouldn't do it. Trust might be an issue but there are other more frightening problems....

What if the furnace stopped working?

What if a water pipe broke?

Stranger at the door asking for information?

Leaving a stove or oven on?

Cat is deathly ill?

Toilet overflows?

Shut off valves for water?

I was a very responsible human being but I can still remember being paranoid about dealing with problems like the above after being married. Every problem is an adventure but it helps to have support and money.

Now, the trust part..... Kids do goofy things - and survive. But the usually have someone they trust or can go to when things go awry. Does your child know the signs of alcohol poisoning? You may not ever think your children will get into something like that, but if they do.....can they get out of it?

JMH (and obviously paranoid to some of you) O

All of those but maybe the water shut off I would expect a 17 yr old to know how to deal with. Especially some of those I would expect a 10 yr old to know.

The water, they could call me, or call someone, or they could just go down the basement and in our house see it.

As far as money I always put some in my DD's bank account, leave cash and I leave my credit card.

Kids will never learn problem solving if you never let them ever have any problems. Kids have it easy now with cells, and computers and ATM's and debit cards. When I was a teen being left we had none of those and truly were on your own.

 

[faindrops27]

It all depends on the maturity level of the child. I was a latch key kid at 12. I just went away on a weekend trip with my husband, and left my just turned 18 son at home in charge of his little brother 9. I do not see how this could be a problem.

 

[Miandrea]

Same issue last week at my neighbors house...their 2 extremely responsible kids were left home alone for the weekend (grandma and grandpa live 2 streets over). Well...at 10:30 on Friday night, there were about 200 kids outside of the house.

Yes the kids were responsible but their friends were not...it was all over Facebook...the entire weekend was a bust. Even when grandma and grandpa came over, car loads of kids were showing up.

I learned I will not leave my daughter alone....I trust her but I don't trust other kids!

Good luck!

 

[seashoreCM]

Same issue last week at my neighbors house...their 2 extremely responsible kids were left home alone for the weekend (grandma and grandpa live 2 streets over). Well...at 10:30 on Friday night, there were about 200 kids outside of the house.

Yes the kids were responsible but their friends were not...it was all over Facebook...the entire weekend was a bust. Even when grandma and grandpa came over, car loads of kids were showing up. !

If only an anonymous one of their neighbors (you) had called the police to disperse all those 200 people and the police kept coming back every 20 minutes or so ...

Trust might be an issue but there are other more frightening problems....

What if the furnace stopped working?

What if a water pipe broke?

Stranger at the door asking for information?

Leaving a stove or oven on?

Cat is deathly ill?

Toilet overflows?

Shut off valves for water?

I O

The shut off valve for water is one of the more important things that kids need to learn early.

 

[Miandrea]

If only an anonymous one of their neighbors (you) had called the police to disperse all those 200 people and the police kept coming back every 20 minutes or so ...


I did go outside (that is what good neighbours do and I did call the police when more teenagers kept showing up)....I don't need to be anonymous.

Just a caution...your children are responsible but sometimes their "friends" make mistakes.

 

[Hannathy]

If only an anonymous one of their neighbors (you) had called the police to disperse all those 200 people and the police kept coming back every 20 minutes or so ...


I did go outside (that is what good neighbours do and I did call the police when more teenagers kept showing up)....I don't need to be anonymous.

Just a caution...your children are responsible but sometimes their "friends" make mistakes.

Why was it on Facebook? If the child put it there, then they aren't very intelligent or responsible teens. Responsible teens know not to put something like that on Facebook. And also have friends that wouldn't do such a thing.

 

[cornflake]

Yes, of course. A 17 year old is old enough. As long as their responsible, and have a car. I stayed alone at 16. I have been on own my since 18. If my kids are not capable of being alone at that age. I would consider myself a failure as a parent.

Wouldn't even think twice about kids that age, unless there's some developmental issue.

Nope, wouldn't do it. Trust might be an issue but there are other more frightening problems....

What if the furnace stopped working?

What if a water pipe broke?

Stranger at the door asking for information?

Leaving a stove or oven on?

Cat is deathly ill?

Toilet overflows?

Shut off valves for water?

I was a very responsible human being but I can still remember being paranoid about dealing with problems like the above after being married. Every problem is an adventure but it helps to have support and money.

Now, the trust part..... Kids do goofy things - and survive. But the usually have someone they trust or can go to when things go awry. Does your child know the signs of alcohol poisoning? You may not ever think your children will get into something like that, but if they do.....can they get out of it?

JMH (and obviously paranoid to some of you) O

Honestly, if a 17-year-old... heck, really if a 14-year-old can't figure out how to handle anything on that list (which, to me don't seem scary really), I'd worry about that I hadn't done a good job.

Also, there are cell phones. I mean if the furnace stops working and the kids can't figure out to call the heating company or furnace repair or what have you, easy to call you and ask.

If there's a plumbing issue I'd think they'd know enough to call the plumber.

If the cat is ill, I'd think they'd know to get it to the vet - and if they were unsure about the severity, can call you or the vet's line.

Strangers at the door, I'd think a 9-year-old should know how to deal with, etc. Maybe I'm just not paranoid, heh.

 

[maxiesmom]

Why was it on Facebook? If the child put it there, then they aren't very intelligent or responsible teens. Responsible teens know not to put something like that on Facebook. And also have friends that wouldn't do such a thing.

Even responsible teens screw up and do things they shouldn't. No teen is a perfect model of what a responsible teen should be, as no adult is a perfect model of a responsible adult. We all screw up.

 

[WINTER]

Nope. No way.

 

[Minnesota!]

I am traveling to Reno next summer (2013). My kids will be 17 and 14. I have brought up the possibility of my wife coming with me and the kids hanging out at the cabin with grandma and grandpa while we are gone......

My 14 year old said, "dad, we're old enough to stay home alone for 5 days!". She is hinting they are too hold to hang with grandma and grandpa for that long.....

They are both responsible kids, but I am not sure if that is something I want to do, yet. Now, if it were the next summer and my oldest would be done with HS and 18, it is a whole different story.

When would you leave your kids home if you were going on a 5 day trip?

Duds

You bowling out there by chance? We are going next summer so DH can bowl...this will be the 3rd time hitting Reno

Yes, I would leave my kids home alone at those ages. My parents left me alone at age 15 while they went to the cabin. You have to start somewhere. Do a night here and there this summer. Go to the cabin for the night. See if they can handle it. Then maybe work up to 2 nights by the end of this summer. Etc.

At 14 and 17....they should be responsible enough to handle it.

Nope, wouldn't do it. Trust might be an issue but there are other more frightening problems....

What if the furnace stopped working?

What if a water pipe broke?

Stranger at the door asking for information?

Leaving a stove or oven on?

Cat is deathly ill?

Toilet overflows?

Shut off valves for water?

I was a very responsible human being but I can still remember being paranoid about dealing with problems like the above after being married. Every problem is an adventure but it helps to have support and money.

Now, the trust part..... Kids do goofy things - and survive. But the usually have someone they trust or can go to when things go awry. Does your child know the signs of alcohol poisoning? You may not ever think your children will get into something like that, but if they do.....can they get out of it?

JMH (and obviously paranoid to some of you) O

If my kids...at 14 and CERTAINLY at 17 couldn't handle this stuff...I would consider myself a failure. Realllly? Toilet overflows? My 5 year old can get out the plunger and get moving on it. Who needs a furnace in the summer? Etc.

 

[dudspizza]

You bowling out there by chance? We are going next summer so DH can bowl...this will be the 3rd time hitting Reno

YOU GOT IT! USBC Open......... My wife has not traveled with me to these events yet, but it is getting close to her being able to come along for the ride...

 

[Minnesota!]

YOU GOT IT! USBC Open......... My wife has not traveled with me to these events yet, but it is getting close to her being able to come along for the ride...

Yep, that's what DH bowls in It's a blast!! I haven't been there since 2001....and cannot wait to get back! We are going for a long weekend with friends next summer...kids will stay with IL's for a few days!