What age would you leave your child alone for a few nights?

Buzzybee90

dandelionclock30 wrote: »

Made me laugh this-"she cooks for herself already" at 17!!!!!!!. I was cooking my own meals from being 6 years old.
I think you may be underestimating her regarding parties etc. Thats what I would be worried about most.Is she really going to be in on a nightby herself with her slippers on and drinking coco. I doubt it very much.
I would ask the neighbours or other family member to be keeping an eye on her and going though with her what to do if something happens etc. I remember I was at home by myself as a teenager and a pipe upstairs burst flooding the house. Its things like this you need to think about.

At 6? What on earth?
I never cooked for myself, my mum cooked and I cooked for everyone on Saturdays, my dad did the veg on Sundays.

Goldiegirl

In October she'll officially be an adult.


I think it's safe to leave an almost adult home alone, as long as there aren't any special needs, which it doesn't sound like there are in this case

gingin_2

dandelionclock30 wrote: »

Made me laugh this-"she cooks for herself already" at 17!!!!!!!. I was cooking my own meals from being 6 years old.

How condescending and irrelevant.

Best you would have got from me at 6 was mud pies.

Kathy535

Thanks all, I hadn't thought about the loneliness angle and I do remember being freaked out on my first night alone because of the strange noises - I was 31 and just divorced in my new home!!

She could stay at her dad's but he works nights so she'd still be alone. She's at college in the day so wouldn't be too lonely and most of the time now my husband and I work long hours so we are out of the house from 7am until about 7-8pm. She's a lot like the cats, when we get in she doesn't bother to come and say hello unless she's hungry!

Dandelion- she does spend most of her time in pjs, drinking cocoa! While she might have a few friends round she really is quite responsible and not the party type. We've talked with her about how these things can escalate. Having said that, maybe the 'practice' nights will flush out any tendencies toward partying - and B&T, point taken about treating her like a child.

Thanks all, I think the way forward might be a 10 night holiday, grandparents up for 3 or 4 days and father doing the weekend leaving her alone for 3-4 nights.

dandelionclock30

gingin wrote: »

How condescending and irrelevant.

Best you would have got from me at 6 was mud pies.

Laugh out loud.

GobbledyGook

If your biggest worry is her remembering to lock the door then why not make that her job now? Then by the time summer comes it'll be part of her routine.

If she's sensible and you are not worried about parties then I wouldn't think twice about leaving someone of 17 home alone. Especially not when she has her Dad nearby.

paulineb_2

gingin wrote: »

How condescending and irrelevant.

Best you would have got from me at 6 was mud pies.

I might have managed a dairylea sandwich

I think in a lot of households its normal for one person to take on the bulk of the cooking and a lot of teens might not cook for themselves until a bit later. Home economics aside I probably didnt start cooking much for myself when I was at home until I was around 14.

System

I think it depends on the person. Some are old and wise at 14, others are still scatterbrained at 40! :rotfl:

notanewuser

My 3 year old can make scrambled eggs on her own from scratch. Obviously I get the ingredients out for her, but she cracks the eggs and puts them in the pan and everything. She's supervised around the gas stove, but we'll be getting an induction hob this year so will be even more opportunities for her to cook.

I left home at 17 and lived alone until I was 24. A few days being on her own should be fine for the OP's DD.

GobbledyGook

I wouldn't make plans for her. Try looking at is as part of her education - that will be 10 days/2 weeks of being responsible for herself with regards to food, washing etc.

If she is spooked then she can arrange for a friend to come round or to speak to her Dad or her grandparents.

Better she experiences it for a short duration now with people around her than when she's at uni and miles from home or whatever.