Would you leave your 13 year old home alone...

[Luv'sTink]

My husband and I just returned from a 3 night anniversary stay in Vegas....My mom and sister were watching our son, he is 13.

My Mom did all the day time stuff. My sister would come at 8PM and sleep at our house so he wasn't home alone over night and would leave at 5AM. My Mom has a bad back so it is hard for to sleep anywhere other than her own bed.

Anyway, my sister told my mom that she thought at 13 he could have stayed by himself. The funny part is, I stayed with her then 14 year old daughter for 5 nights while they were in Hawaii 10 years ago because she didn't want her to stay home alone.

So, would you leave your 13 year old home alone, while you took a mini vacation?

 

[PrincessKsMom]

Short and simple -- NO.

 

[okeydokey]

Absolutely not. I can see leaving a responsible 16 year old for a couple of nights as long as there was someone nearby to check in, but never a 13 year old. I won't even leave my 12 year old alone all day when I go to work this summer.

 

[mjkacmom]

No way! And I am very permissive. Dd13 stays home a lot (my other kids are very involved in sports), she can go anywhere with friends, and she babysits, but I will not leave her alone overnight (although she can't seem to understand why).

 

[Mkrop]

Umm absolutely not. Too young.

 

[joviroxx]

13? Not a chance! My oldest is 12 and I dont even leave her alone in the summer while we are at work. 13 is way too young to be left at home alone while parents are way.

 

[luvsJack]

No, especially at night. Dd doesn't feel comfortable staying home alone at all, but when her brothers were 11-13 they would stay home alone during the day, but never, ever at night. And even during the day, their grandfather was within yelling distance (my parent's home is at the end of my long driveway).

 

[Disney Doll]

No. I think that is to young, especially if something out of the ordinary happens...ie-water main break, damaging storm...you just never know.

 

[NHdisneylover]

I saw the title and thought it was going to be about leaving a 13 year old alone for a few hours at a time (day or nighttime really) which I am completely fine with. Alone for a full night--much less several full nights and with parents far away (ie--not able to run home if something unsual such as Disneydoll noted above happens or the child becomes frightened, etc) is a whole different ball game. I can imagine a particularly responsible 15 or 16 year old--with someone nearby s/he can call for help or moral support--but NOT a kid as young as yours.

 

[dislaney]

Ummm that would be a definite NO!

 

[antmaril]

Absolutely not.

 

[golfgal]

I wouldn't even think twice about leaving a 13 year old home alone for a DAY, but NOT overnight. We left DS17 home alone overnight when he was able to drive and will do the same with the twins.

Our kids have been staying home alone for a few hours here and there since they were in about 3rd grade so it isn't about being a helicopter parent by any means.

 

[flipturngirl]

I don't have kids (so you can stop reading now..if you want...)

But I was not left alone overnight while my parents went on vacation until I was 17 I think. I have a younger sister who did not like being home alone.. she is just two years younger then me..

I would not fill confortable leaving a 13 yo home alone.. I have been in the classroom with that age range and I would be scared!

 

[swanmom]

No. Because it would be scary for my DD at the age. I'm sure she wouldn't like it.

 

[charming23]

I am also not a parent but I would say no as well. I was 12 when I was allowed to come home after school and stay by myself for the 2 hours until my Dad got home.That following summer after I had turned 13 I was allowed to be home during the day but my neighbors were always available if I needed them and my dad was 5 blocks away at work. It was not until I was 16 that I stayed home alone for one night and it scared the stuffing out of me.

So no 13 is way too young to be allowed to be alone overnight.

 

[Allison]

All alone for 3 days and nights-no way.

 

[Bluestars]

I would not have a problem leaving a 13 yr old home alone all day long. I would never leave a 13 yr old alone all night long though.

 

[ennazus]

13 overnite? NO WAY

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Not a chance. Now my 13yodd is home alone in the daytime if DH and I run out for other reasons. But we are in town and coming back.

 

[Ohiodislover]

Nope

We are super permissive about the girls being home by themselves. They have been home in the summer since my oldest was 12, and her sister 8. (Before I get flamed--only a few days a week, and DH works 5 minutes from the front door. He was able to come home at lunch for an hour and then I was home a couple of hours later). We also had a neighbor who watched out for them more than they ever realized. That being said there is no way at night--even 1 night, yet alone 3.

My almost 15 y.o. got a little freaked when DH and I had date night the other night, and were gone till 12 am. Came home to every light on in the house.