okay, am I just an overprotective parent....?

[Kteacher]

Just got off the phone with my son's best friend. His parents went away to visit relatives and left him "Home Alone" ( He is 16) . He told me he has certain times he is supposed to call and check in with his parents. My husband is on his way over to pick him up-I told him he could stay with us till his parents got back, but he has to call them as soon as he gets to our house to let them know. Is it just me, or is this awfully young to leave a kid alone overnight?

 

[CJMickeyMouse]

My boys are 10 and 12, so I really can't speak from experience.... I guess it would depend on the kid. I think in our situation that would be a last resort. I would see if they could stay with a friend who did have parents at home, or if an adult could come stay with them.

I think you are very kind to have him over and the parents should appreciate it!

 

[SonjaB]

I stayed alone overnight when I was 16. Sixteen for me was one year away from graduation and the potential of living alone, at least in a dorm, so it didn't seem like a big deal to me at the time. Now, on the other side of the coin, as a parent, I would be nervous about it. I think you are very kind to allow that young man to stay with you while his parents are away.

 

[kejoda]

A 16 year old shouldn't be left alone. Even if they could be trusted sometimes the friends can't. I hope the parents don't think that you are butting in.

Btw is this just one night?

 

[jipsy]

My parents left me at the house for a whole week at 16. They went on a deep sea fishing trip. My father figured I was in my senior year at school and if he couldn't trust me by then, he was screwed I had friends who begged me to have a party and I flat told them no and I told them if they showed up anyway I wouldn't answer the door or even be home. I had no problems. I knew how to cook, and I knew how to dial 911. The Police Chief lived 3 doors down; if I had serious problems I knew he'd show up.

Seriously, it depends on the child I think. If he is trustworthy, dependable, etc. then yes I think he can handle it. On the other hand, if he always gives them alot of trouble, misses curfew, etc. etc. then no he shouldn't have been left alone.

 

[Rajah]

Good for you!! I agree, 16 is too young to be left alone like that. I know people do it all the time, but I just think it's too young.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

<font face="Comic Sans MS"><font color=#006400>I think each family is different when it comes to trusting our children's judgment when these issues come up. Personally, I trust my own children, but I don't think that they're mature enough to know how to handle a crises, and I wouldn't want to put that burden on their shoulders (even if they don't realize that they're carrying that burden). So, I wouldn't leave them alone for their own safety.

I think that is very nice that you're going to pick up that boy. If it were me, though, I probably would've asked his parents if it would be all right to go get him.... then again, that would depend on my relationship w/child and parents - you may not need to worry about that.

 

[Blondie]

I agree with jipsy.

It depends on the maturity of the boy and how well he has behaved in the past. Some 16 year olds are able to handle it and look forward to some independence. It may also give him a change to prove himself to his parents.

My two boys are only 11 and 12...so I don't know what I'd do. At this stage of the game, I doubt my 12 y.o. will ever be mature enough to be left alone overnight!

 

[gepetto]

Was it the son that had a problem or was it you? If he (and his parents) were comfortable with the arrangement then I don't think you should have interfered....just IMO. If he was nervous or having problems then that's fine....otherwise I don't think 16 is too young to stay home alone overnight.

 

[Kteacher]

Evidently his parents are away till Sunday. This kid sleeps over our house all the time-at least once a week, so it's not a big deal to have him here for me.

 

[Lisa L from MI]

When I was 16....my mom and dad went on a week cruise and let me stay home with my 14 yo sister. We were fine....(it was back in 1982...maybe times have changed?)......We were fine.

 

[disykat]

My sister and I stayed home overnight at 15 and 16 when my parents took my 17 year old brother to college. It was fine - but then we weren't alone. I think it depends on the circumstance. I consider myself a very overprotective parent, but if I knew I could trust the child I don't think 16 is too young. It's driving the car I'll probably worry about!

 

[gepetto]

Originally posted by Kteacher
Evidently his parents are away till Sunday. This kid sleeps over our house all the time-at least once a week, so it's not a big deal to have him here for me.

I would just be concerned that it may irritate his parents. If they had wanted him to stay at your house for the weekend, wouldn't they have made arrangements for him to do so before they left?

 

[Kitty 34]

My parents let me, at 16, stay alone for the weekend when they used to visit my ailing grandma. I never had a problem with the two-day independence.

My sons (at home) are 13 and almost 16.........I would be a little bit apprehensive about it, even though the almost 16 yr old could do it no problem.


I would have done what you did and offered my home to the teen.

 

[Kteacher]

I'm having him call his parents now to let them know. Guess the snowstorm is making me a little overprotective. No problem with parents.

 

[Eeyore2U]

We left DS home alone for the weekend just short of his 16th bday. I know my kid. He possibly will be in college before he is 18. As a 17 year old senior he will have a week alone as DW and I go on our 20th anniversary trip.

 

[SeaSpray]

I would've done the same thing, and invited him to stay with us, too, kteacher. I agree with you regarding this weather, it would make me more nervous about a child being home alone, too!

 

[Grog]

I guess it just depends on the maturity level of the child and how much trust there is between them and the parents. My parent used to leave me alone for the night when I was 15. They started leaving me alone for as long as a week (when they would go on vacation) when I was 16, due to the fact that I had a part time job. Technically I was never "alone" as I nearly always had friends over (who my parents knew very well and trusted) and we would just watch cable (which was still new and exciting back then) or play board games.

 

[dandave]

I think a mature 16 year old is old enough to stay home alone. If I had left my 16yo at home alone with specific instructions, then I would not be happy that another parent took things into his/her own hands to second guess my decision.
I would expect my child to be able to follow the agreement and rules that were set forth prior to being left alone. I would be quite perturbed to find that someone had seen fit to take matters into their own hands. In the event of unexpected storm or emergency, then I would be grateful that someone was looking out for my child (or anyone home alone for that matter). Otherwise, I would view it as extremely intrusive.

 

[WDWfanatic288]

nope it's not at all!

if I was supposed to stay home I would have asked to stay at a friend's house anyway so you did the right thing!

I just don't like going to sleep with no one in the house..it just freaks me out (a bit too many horror movies is probably the reason!)