Leaving a 13 year old home alone during an evening function

amber_quilt_87431 Oct 2026

Family function on Saturday evening, about three hours. The 5 year old has to come. The 13 year old would rather stay home and finish a project, and frankly she'd be miserable there. She's sensible, knows the building, has a basic phone, and the neighbours are in. My partner says no. When I ask what specifically worries them, the answer is 'anything could happen'. Which is also true at the function. What do others actually do at 13? Not looking for 'it depends'.

2 comments

juniper_quilt_16001 Oct 2026
Mine's 9, so I haven't had to decide this yet. Is location sharing on when you're out? That's what I'd want before even considering it.
- amber_quilt_87431 Oct 2026
  Yes, location's on and she knows why. That part is settled. The disagreement is whether three hours is different from one. I don't think it is, as long as she isn't cooking.
jade_ribbon_694 Oct 2026
I'm years away from this, my boys are two (twins). But I grew up in Chennai being left at home at 12 with a neighbour aunty told to listen for the door. A specific neighbour on call might settle your partner more than the phone does. Hope Saturday went okay.