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OT parents- How old was your oldest child before you left them home alone overnight?

Posted on 2/2/24 at 7:15 am
Posted by Bourre
Da Parish
Member since Nov 2012
20310 posts
Posted on 2/2/24 at 7:15 am
We have an 18 year old high schooler, who is a good kid and has never given us trouble. I don’t see a problem leaving him here overnight with his brother (15) and sister (11) but the wife is pushing back. She was the youngest of 3 so she didn’t have the opportunity to be put in a position of having to watch siblings while her parents went off. I was the oldest and remember being left home alone with my brother for weekends at a time when I was 17/18 so my parents could go do something.

What says the OT? The wife is overreacting, isn’t she?
Posted by StringedInstruments
Member since Oct 2013
18501 posts
Posted on 2/2/24 at 7:18 am to
Is the 18 year old likely to have friends over? Any chance they’d drink?

I’m with you for the most part, but “my brother invited his friends over and one of them abused me” is a thing. I’d be cautious about the 11 year old girl being there if he’s bringing people over.
Posted by SG_Geaux
Beautiful St George
Member since Aug 2004
78112 posts
Posted on 2/2/24 at 7:19 am to
You can't leave an adult at home to watch the kids?
Posted by Billy Blanks
Member since Dec 2021
3822 posts
Posted on 2/2/24 at 7:20 am to
quote:

The wife is overreacting, isn’t she?



Yes.

My daughter is 10 and we leave her at the house if we need to go to the store if she doesn't want to come with.

We've never left her over night but I'd be 100% okay in her ability to manage. Not sure I'd do the same with the boys, they aren't/won't be as mature when they get that age. (10)

I'd say probably 13/14 minimum if they have a good head on their shoulders. 16 should be solid for anyone.
Posted by Mo Jeaux
Member since Aug 2008
59231 posts
Posted on 2/2/24 at 7:20 am to
quote:

I don’t see a problem leaving him here overnight with his brother (15) and sister (11) but the wife is pushing back.


Good. She should. This is generally a bad idea.
Posted by Bazzatcha
Member since May 2017
750 posts
Posted on 2/2/24 at 7:20 am to
This has to be a troll. If your adult son is not responsible enough to "babysit" his 15 year old brother and 11 year old sister then you have failed them as a parent.
Posted by The Mick
Member since Oct 2010
43278 posts
Posted on 2/2/24 at 7:21 am to
18/15/11 is certainly old enough, especially if the 18 is responsible and trustworthy.
Posted by yellowfin
Coastal Bar
Member since May 2006
97749 posts
Posted on 2/2/24 at 7:22 am to
My 14 year old stays home alone overnight

Your wife is a helicopter parent
Posted by Lithium
Member since Dec 2004
62175 posts
Posted on 2/2/24 at 7:27 am to
Grow a pair. We let the Lithette's spend the night at 12
Posted by bigtiger440
Southside, Al
Member since Sep 2009
810 posts
Posted on 2/2/24 at 7:29 am to
I have an 18 year old son who will never be left alone at night in my house no matter what age. That has more to do with the type of kid he is, I love the kid to death and wouldn't take a million dollars for him but i wouldn't give you a dollar for another just like him.

He is the kid that would throw parties, have a orgy in my bed or burn the place down but look surprised when i got pissed about it.

My youngest son is a completely different person, he is 14 and i could trust him to stay by himself now although i haven't left him home alone overnight.

Posted by LRB1967
Tennessee
Member since Dec 2020
15972 posts
Posted on 2/2/24 at 7:31 am to
My brother and I were teenagers and left at home for as long as a week. My brother's friend stayed with us. He was the same age. We were on a farm in a remote area. There was nothing bad to get into.
Posted by fr33manator
Baton Rouge
Member since Oct 2010
124679 posts
Posted on 2/2/24 at 7:33 am to
15 is fine. 100 years ago they might have fought in a war. We were camping alone younger than that
Posted by slacker130
Your mom
Member since Jul 2010
8068 posts
Posted on 2/2/24 at 7:34 am to
We didn't until after freshman year in college, but we had a fairly large age gap, oldest to youngest.

Also, I threw some raging parties at my parents' house when my sister was "watching" me.
Posted by pwejr88
Red Stick
Member since Apr 2007
36218 posts
Posted on 2/2/24 at 7:47 am to
Times have changed. You can put WiFi cameras all over the house that run on batteries.
Posted by Deplorableinohio
Member since Dec 2018
5652 posts
Posted on 2/2/24 at 9:19 am to
No. Listen to your wife. She is right.
Posted by fallguy_1978
Best States #50
Member since Feb 2018
48957 posts
Posted on 2/2/24 at 9:23 am to
I was probably 15-16 when my dad left me alone overnight. No young siblings to look after though.
Posted by imjustafatkid
Alabama
Member since Dec 2011
50959 posts
Posted on 2/2/24 at 9:32 am to
Would depend on the kids, but I'd have no problem leaving my two oldest home alone overnight. Our youngest is too young to be left home alone overnight even with those two.
This post was edited on 2/2/24 at 12:33 pm
Posted by PikesPeak
The Penalty Box
Member since Apr 2022
564 posts
Posted on 2/2/24 at 9:40 am to
quote:

What says the OT? The wife is overreacting, isn’t she?
Well, that's usually baseline...
Posted by Floating Change Up
Member since Dec 2013
11868 posts
Posted on 2/2/24 at 9:41 am to
quote:

We have an 18 year old high schooler
quote:

wife is pushing back
quote:

The wife is overreacting


Man, if your 18-year-old is not responsible to keep himself and two siblings alive for one night without your supervision, you and your wife have failed as parents.

Sorry to be so blunt, but YOU came here seeking opinions. That is my opinion. Hell, your 15-year-old should be able to handle one night without you at home and no other adult around.

18? Untrustworthy or unreliable with his two siblings? That's a parent failure.
Posted by Clark W Griswold
THE USA
Member since Sep 2012
10512 posts
Posted on 2/2/24 at 9:48 am to
He is an adult. It’s your kid so you know them better but I’d trust your kid over someone else to watch them. With cameras and tracking in phones it’s a lot harder to get away with stuff than when I was young. We were left alone for weekends many times growing up and just had family come check on us or bring us food.
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