Question: At what age is it okay to leave my teen home alone overnight?
Answer: While maturity is more the question than age, I would say that a teen younger than 16 is not old enough to be left home alone overnight. And then I would add that many 16-year-olds are not mature enough to handle being home alone all night. If you are going to leave your teen home alone at night, you should be sure they know who to call in an emergency and set up a calling check-in for the next morning. You will also want to make sure they aren't planning any types of parties while you are gone.
At what age is it okay to leave my teen home alone after school?
My teen is going to be home alone this summer. What can I do?
We are going away and do not want to leave our teen home alone. What should we do?
We've heard our teen is planning a party in our home while we are going to be away. What should we do?
Our teen had a party while we were away and there was underage drinking. What should we do?
Tips for Parents of Teens Who Stay Home Alone
Parenting Quiz - Is Your Teen Ready to Stay Home Alone?
Parenting Teens Contracts: Staying Home Alone While Parents Are Away
Parenting Teens Contracts: Staying Home Alone After School
Parenting Checklist: Teens Staying Home Alone
Printable Emergency Numbers List
If this is going to be an ongoing time that you leave your teen home alone, like in the case of you working a third shift job, you'll want to establish a routine to be sure that your teen's responsibilities are completed. You will also want a trusted adult to be available to your teen if they need someone immediately for minor emergencies.
Teens Home Alone FAQ:
More:
