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OneMoreLife
Guest
If both parents are working should they leave their teenager alone at home during the summer vacation?
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hadulzo
Guest
First you need to check and see what your state law says. Then decide if you can trust them. Also, can they take care of themselves.
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1ke
Guest
In general, a teen is perfectly capable of staying home by themselves, and babysitting others. There may be circumstances about a particular teen, the place they live, or the situation of the family that make that imprudent.If both parents are working should they leave their teenager alone at home during the summer vacation?
It’s prudential decision of the parents.
Why do you ask?
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OneMoreLife
Guest
This is an only child who has too much time on her/his hands. This is leading to bad choices.In general, a teen is perfectly capable of staying home by themselves, and babysitting others. There may be circumstances about a particular teen, the place they live, or the situation of the family that make that imprudent.
It’s prudential decision of the parents.
Why do you ask?
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Sarcelle
Guest
Depends on the teen. Maybe a summer job would take away the too much time for mischief problem.
I had summer jobs as a teen-ager so I could earn some money for college.
I had summer jobs as a teen-ager so I could earn some money for college.
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Allegra
Guest
A typical teen should certainly be capable to stay home alone during the day, but I don’t think it’s really good for them to do so for a whole nine-week vacation. Is there any way you can encourage some activity? A summer job? Summer classes? A membership to the pool or community center? A camp? An internship? Sometimes my mom used to drive us up to the city park on her way to work and pick us up on her way home. There are lots of free things to do there, some of which are even indoors. She would take us to the mall too, but I caution against that because teens run out of money quickly and then get into shenanigans, particularly if they are in a group. Some parishes also have summer programs for teens.
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esieffe
Guest
One year can make a difference in a Teen’s life. I would not leave a 15 old alone for a period of days, but 16 or 17, maybe, and only if they were responsible with a good track record. I would also want responsible and good neighbors, low crime area, etc.
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1ke
Guest
Well then, that sounds like a situation in which it is prudent to have supervision for the teen and shift his/her energies to work, charity, and/or structured activities.This is an only child who has too much time on her/his hands. This is leading to bad choices.
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PraiseChrist
Guest
Dear Friend,If both parents are working should they leave their teenager alone at home during the summer vacation?
I am speaking from personal experience in my answer:
No, because 1) when a teen is home alone, they can develop a mild form of depression, and this happened to me when my parents went on a vacation when I was younger.
- In addition, and much more important, I saw on an examination of conscience that it’s a grave matter to leave one’s teens alone for long hours, because at this age, they must fight temptations against purity with more zeal than adults.
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EasterJoy
Guest
Who is asking?
If parents are asking me, I’d suggest that the teen–anyone capable of being productive, for that matter–needs an occupation and a way to socialize. Beyond a week or two, they need accountability for their time, as well.
If the teen has an occupation, such as spending several hours on some big summer yard project or painting rooms or whatnot, then if the teen is up for it, it could work. If the parents work too far away to attend to some emergency, the teen ought to have someone closer to call in case there is a need. It wouldn’t hurt if the teen knew that a neighbor, relative, or a friend of the family might drop in at any time, either. These kinds of things keep any of us honest.
If the parents and teen had worked this out, I wouldn’t expect them to welcome opinions from the peanut gallery. Offers of help, such as rides if the teen wants to go somewhere or something, sure, but not unsolicited opinions.
If parents are asking me, I’d suggest that the teen–anyone capable of being productive, for that matter–needs an occupation and a way to socialize. Beyond a week or two, they need accountability for their time, as well.
If the teen has an occupation, such as spending several hours on some big summer yard project or painting rooms or whatnot, then if the teen is up for it, it could work. If the parents work too far away to attend to some emergency, the teen ought to have someone closer to call in case there is a need. It wouldn’t hurt if the teen knew that a neighbor, relative, or a friend of the family might drop in at any time, either. These kinds of things keep any of us honest.
If the parents and teen had worked this out, I wouldn’t expect them to welcome opinions from the peanut gallery. Offers of help, such as rides if the teen wants to go somewhere or something, sure, but not unsolicited opinions.
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Strydersroom
Guest
When you’re a teenager finally getting a house to yourself, it seems you’ll spend all of the time using your hands. :tiphat:This is an only child who has too much time on her/his hands. This is leading to bad choices.
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Xantippe
Guest
Right.Who is asking?
If parents are asking me, I’d suggest that the teen–anyone capable of being productive, for that matter–needs an occupation and a way to socialize. Beyond a week or two, they need accountability for their time, as well.
If the teen has an occupation, such as spending several hours on some big summer yard project or painting rooms or whatnot, then if the teen is up for it, it could work. If the parents work too far away to attend to some emergency, the teen ought to have someone closer to call in case there is a need. It wouldn’t hurt if the teen knew that a neighbor, relative, or a friend of the family might drop in at any time, either. These kinds of things keep any of us honest.
If the parents and teen had worked this out, I wouldn’t expect them to welcome opinions from the peanut gallery. Offers of help, such as rides if the teen wants to go somewhere or something, sure, but not unsolicited opinions.
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WillyAL
Guest
Your attempt at humor is likely to be unappreciated by most of the folks around here. That said, I got a chuckle out of it.When you’re a teenager finally getting a house to yourself, it seems you’ll spend all of the time using your hands. :tiphat:
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LethalMouse
Guest
LolWhen you’re a teenager finally getting a house to yourself, it seems you’ll spend all of the time using your hands. :tiphat:
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anon67074017
Guest
There is nothing wrong with leaving them home alone. I am left home alone often. You just need to make sure they are responsible enough. I am personally responsible.
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twf
Guest
Its grave matter for parents’ to leave their teens alone for “long hours”? Who makes that judgment call? By that logic, it is grave matter for parents to give their teen children their own room…where they are alone for 8+ hours during the night…Dear Friend,
I am speaking from personal experience in my answer:
No, because 1) when a teen is home alone, they can develop a mild form of depression, and this happened to me when my parents went on a vacation when I was younger.
God bless you for looking out for the mental and spiritual well being of your own. This is a very important topic, that parents may inadvertently overlook.
- In addition, and much more important, I saw on an examination of conscience that it’s a grave matter to leave one’s teens alone for long hours, because at this age, they must fight temptations against purity with more zeal than adults.
We need to help our children avoid sin, of course, but this seems a little extreme.
J
jmcrae
Guest
Under what circumstances?If both parents are working should they leave their teenager alone at home during the summer vacation?
I think if a teen has other people to be with, and productive things to do, he or she doesn’t need the parents to be around all the time.
But if the teen is literally alone and has no one to talk to, this is a recipe for trouble, because the teen will become lonely and seek out company, and may not make the best choice of companions, especially if there is nothing productive for them to do.
There are a wide variety of possible things a teen can do with his or her time, including volunteering for leadership at a summer camp, actually attending a summer camp for teens, taking a part time job, taking classes such as Driver Education, or other enrichment that will contribute to their mature and healthy human development.
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twf
Guest
I worked in the summers as a teen. I would encourage any teen to apply for summer positions. Its an excellent opportunity for personal development, helps to start build a resume, and brings in some spending money.
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DarkLight
Guest
I feel like “teen” is too general here. What age are we talking about? Leaving a 14 year old alone is very different from leaving a 17 year old alone.
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PraiseChrist
Guest
Sorry I mean its ok if you are there in the house with your kids, and have a reasonable idea of what theyre doing.Its grave matter for parents’ to leave their teens alone for “long hours”? Who makes that judgment call? By that logic, it is grave matter for parents to give their teen children their own room…where they are alone for 8+ hours during the night…
We need to help our children avoid sin, of course, but this seems a little extreme.
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