BAne Posted July 28, 2012 Share Posted July 28, 2012 I'm dating someone whom has a son about 14 years old. Sometimes she will come home late at night after being out with friends till like 2 or 3 in the morning? is this normal? At what age does someone feel comfortable in leaving a young person alone with the house till late hours? Link to post Share on other sites
TaraMaiden Posted July 28, 2012 Share Posted July 28, 2012 Tragic as it may seem - this is not your business. You could mention your own disquiet or misgivings to your partner - but ultimately, it's sadly not your call. But at that age, I agree - school-time weekends, 10.30, 11.00 latest. School-nights - don't even think about it. holidays - I'd want a call to let me know when, where, why, with whom, what and how. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
threebyfate Posted July 28, 2012 Share Posted July 28, 2012 This would depend on the maturity level of the teenager. Don't know if there are any jurisdictions that define the age when a teen can be left alone but most consider the parent responsible for their children, up to the age of 18. What's ironical is that most teen babysitters are below the age of 18. So why does society believe it's okay to leave their infants and younger children with older siblings and employed teen babysitters but it's not okay to leave the same under 18s home alone? Ever questioned this? Link to post Share on other sites
Balzac Posted July 28, 2012 Share Posted July 28, 2012 In my world that is called abdication of parental duty. If the woman wants to carouse early into be t day-arrange for her 14 year old son to sleep over with a friend family. Unsupervised teens at home is asking for trouble. Other teens will quickly befriend kid whose home is open to socializing absent an adult. Hiring an overnight supervisor is easily accomplished. Link to post Share on other sites
Author BAne Posted July 28, 2012 Author Share Posted July 28, 2012 Tragic as it may seem - this is not your business. You could mention your own disquiet or misgivings to your partner - but ultimately, it's sadly not your call. But at that age, I agree - school-time weekends, 10.30, 11.00 latest. School-nights - don't even think about it. holidays - I'd want a call to let me know when, where, why, with whom, what and how. i'm not sure if you understand the question. Link to post Share on other sites
Author BAne Posted July 28, 2012 Author Share Posted July 28, 2012 This would depend on the maturity level of the teenager. Don't know if there are any jurisdictions that define the age when a teen can be left alone but most consider the parent responsible for their children, up to the age of 18. What's ironical is that most teen babysitters are below the age of 18. So why does society believe it's okay to leave their infants and younger children with older siblings and employed teen babysitters but it's not okay to leave the same under 18s home alone? Ever questioned this? I see what you're saying. So let's say a single mother wants to socialize until late at night. Bars usualy close around 2am. At what age is a teenager expected to be able to be responsible and safe to be home alone at night? I have to confess I don't remeber at what age my parents starting leaving me home alone at night or even for a weekend if they had too. What are the effects this could have on a person if this starts to young in a childhood? What is too young? Link to post Share on other sites
threebyfate Posted July 28, 2012 Share Posted July 28, 2012 I see what you're saying. So let's say a single mother wants to socialize until late at night. Bars usualy close around 2am. At what age is a teenager expected to be able to be responsible and safe to be home alone at night? I have to confess I don't remeber at what age my parents starting leaving me home alone at night or even for a weekend if they had too. What are the effects this could have on a person if this starts to young in a childhood? What is too young?You're asking for simple absolutes where there are none since children/teens will mature at different ages. One concrete example would be parents who don't allow their children to do anything or make any decisions, running ironshod all over them with overly strict rules. The children of this type of parenting will be neurotic and shouldn't be left home alone, since they've never learned how to make responsible decisions on their own. Link to post Share on other sites
Author BAne Posted July 28, 2012 Author Share Posted July 28, 2012 It is interesting the age that children start babysitting? Is a twelve or thirteen year old expected to work until 3 or 4 in the morning? Maturity level does seem have allot to do with it. At what point is this considered neglect? Or being over prutective for not trusting them? Is coming home late at night simply irresponsible? I'm trying to understand the effects this has on a child? What bad things? Are there laws concerning this kind of thing? Link to post Share on other sites
TaraMaiden Posted July 29, 2012 Share Posted July 29, 2012 i'm not sure if you understand the question. You're right - I got the wrong end of the stick. On the other hand, if you're with her those late nights - isn't it worth reminding her she has a kid at home she needs to be responsible for? If you're not - is she someone you're comfortable being with, if she puts her own fun and games before being at home with a child who depends on her? Link to post Share on other sites
FryFish Posted July 30, 2012 Share Posted July 30, 2012 14 is more than old enough... especially if its a responsible girl... Due to economic reasons, I was being left home alone or to watch younger siblings at 11... The worst thing I did was accidentally format the computer... By 14 I was staying out until 2... but I wasnt out doing anything bad, just going for midnight bike rides and star gazing... all in all, it depends on the kid and the parent. Link to post Share on other sites
turnera Posted July 30, 2012 Share Posted July 30, 2012 Fourteen is old enough to stay home alone - once in a while. But staying home alone because you know your mom is out hitting the bars? Hell no. Link to post Share on other sites
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