This would be huge when I was in high school with school events and activities.
Yeah, he has Forensics once a week, that's really his only extracurricular. I can arrange transportation for him for that day. Glad I started this thread, it's helping me make a list of what to do.
He's 18 - HE should be able to figure this out himself. I didn't have a license until I was 19 (summer after freshman year) and I managed to figure out how to get to my sports' practices, job, etc. without a car and my mother certainly had nothing to do with making these arrangments. (I'm not trying to be snarky, but he's 18 and a senior in high school, he can do these things!)
That makes no sense. 18 year olds are generally high school seniors or college freshmen so how are they on their own? Of course there are some but I would think they are the exception not the norm.
Meh. My senior year in high school, I had two jobs, my own car and apartment. I still made it to school every single day. I only know one person who stayed at home as a college freshmen. The rest had their own place. Maybe my view is skewed.
This was my BFF in high school. She live her with grandmother, who had a stroke, so she was on her own senior year. I picked her up for school everyday, and everyday she was late. Like, 10-15 late. I finally had to threaten not to be her transportation anymore. Anyway, the craziest we ever got was playing card games with our friends while blasting the Black Crowes, lol. Losers!
What in the... you think it's normal for a high school kid to live on his/her own and have two jobs? That's kind of nuts.
you know when people post something unreasonable and everybody points out that it's unreasonable, but they stand by it because they don't want to admit they were being unreasonable? i feel like there is some of this happening with the follow ups.
And yes. The boy should be fine for a week by himself. I agree with others that it's good practice. I think it would also make him feel like you guys trust him. Trust is good thing in a parent/child relationship, especially for an 18 year old.
What in the... you think it's normal for a high school kid to live on his/her own and have two jobs? That's kind of nuts.
you know when people post something unreasonable and everybody points out that it's unreasonable, but they stand by it because they don't want to admit they were being unreasonable? i feel like there is some of this happening with the follow ups.
i just keep thinking about matt saracen. taking care of alzheimer's grandma, working a job, being QB1.
Post by shadynasty on Sept 27, 2013 11:23:41 GMT -5
It sounds like he'll be fine. If he hasn't been known to skip school/throw crazy parties in the past I don't think you have anything to worry about. At 18 I house sat for a teacher of mine for 1-2 weeks a few times. I had one friend over, we got someone to buy beer for us, and then sat around, ate Chinese food, and watched TV. We were a wild bunch lol.
What in the... you think it's normal for a high school kid to live on his/her own and have two jobs? That's kind of nuts.
you know when people post something unreasonable and everybody points out that it's unreasonable, but they stand by it because they don't want to admit they were being unreasonable? i feel like there is some of this happening with the follow ups.
Nah. I'm not standing on either side. I did say that I did not see that OP said the 18 yo was still in high school. I don't think it's that big of a deal either way. To each their own.
Actually I just made it up. I don't think it's a word, but it sounds like one. The word "obdurate" means someone who is stubborn and won't change their opinion.
I feel like it needs a little spin. Like, snobduration, or something. But I'm nowhere near clever today.
Actually I just made it up. I don't think it's a word, but it sounds like one. The word "obdurate" means someone who is stubborn and won't change their opinion.
Ob´du`ra´tion n. 1. A hardening of the heart; hardness of heart. stubbornly impenitent
i love you so much.
I guess if the shoe fits. You guys caught me. My heart is black..
Post by livinitup on Sept 27, 2013 11:31:51 GMT -5
It's fine that this has never come up before and you feel apprehensive because it's sudden. But as a social worker who did some work around Independent Living Skills (for young adults and adults) I'd say that if he couldn't be left to manage on his own for a week, you'd need to really start getting him ready to do so.
This might be very good for him. I hope both trips go well for you and your DH.
I guess if the shoe fits. You guys caught me. My heart is black..
ooooh...is there a word for sarcastic obduration?! this place is so educational
I'm not being sarcastic at all. I admit it. I am a bit hardened and probably lived a life that's different than most of you. It's why I've never left this place. You guys show my the difference between what is normal and not. You guys are my crazy check and sometimes, yes, I get checked. It's hard for you guys to understand my tone and where I' m coming from on the internet. I get it.
Post by sparkythelawyer on Sept 27, 2013 11:55:57 GMT -5
As you have explained in your original post, yes, you could. My parents left me alone with my 14 year old sister for a week at 18, and we all survived, no keggers were thrown. (I actually did have a bunch of people over one night, but we were boring goody-two-shoes in high school and did not drink or otherwise go nuts.
Post by hopecounts on Sept 27, 2013 12:00:43 GMT -5
I think it's fine as long as he has access to transportation to get to the store/movies/etc if necessary. My Dad left me home alone for 4 days my senior year, similar situation Grandma was sick and he needed to go help look after her, Stepmom was traveling for work. I was taking Ap classes and didn't want to get behind so I stayed, no drama or excitment, I went to school, worked, came home fixed some food, did homework, watched Tv and went to bed. that weekend I went to the movies with friends and babysat. It was NBD.
Late to this - but my parents used to leave me in charge of my 3 younger siblings for weekends when I was much younger than 18. I would never suggest using my parents as role models for parenting, but I think at 18, this should be ok.
Post by shell403b on Sept 27, 2013 13:20:30 GMT -5
Yes. My parents left me alone at home for a week during the summer between HS and college, I was 17.
The only thing I would wonder about is what if he misses his transportation to school (since he won't have access to a car).
ETA: And I threw a party, with booze. And got busted by the neighbors and the huge dent in my mom's car from us sitting on it in the garage. And got in trouble. This is probably not helping you, OP.
Yes, as long as you trust him. My parents left me alone for a week when I was 16. Actually, not totally alone, my BFF came and stayed the week with me. Looking back, I don't WTF either of our parents were thinking. Alone I would have been fine but together we caused a little trouble.
Yes, but I'd probably want him to line up some things to do. I was super introverted and even I would have had a hard time being all alone every night for a whole week at 18.
Ob´du`ra´tion n. 1. A hardening of the heart; hardness of heart. stubbornly impenitent
i love you so much.
I guess if the shoe fits. You guys caught me. My heart is black..
To be fair, you said yesterday that you have no sympathy for addicts whose flesh is eaten away by the drug they can't quit. Actually, you said they deserve to die a horrific death. So.