A mother has split opinion with her plan to leave her son home alone while the rest of the family goes on holiday.
The divisive parent explained on Mumsnet that her child will be 16 and a half next year, and does not want to go on holiday with his family.
While she doesn't want to leave him behind, the mum said she believes he will be fine by himself for a week.
"Dear son insists he doesn't want to go on holiday with us next year. He'll be 16 and a half," she wrote.
"I don't want to leave him as I think it's too young. He's mature for 16 but doesn't cook (younger child and dear husband have food allergies so the adults cook), he knows how to make oven food like pizza/nuggets etc so wouldn't starve.
"He'd be home alone as his sister will be at university and the last thing he wants is her coming back to 'babysit'.
"They get along ok but he wants a week of just being by himself with nobody else home.
"I'm not worried about him having parties etc, he's not yet into that scene and has had offers of going to parties but said they're not for him.
"His friends are always here anyway so it won't bother me if they visit while we are away.
"Grandparents from both sides of the family live within 10 minute walking distance, aunts like 5 minute drive away and would pop in to check if he needs anything."
The mum's primary reservation was whether leaving him would feel neglectful.
"This is one of my main reasons for not knowing whether to allow it as it feels a bit neglectful but he says he's completely self sufficient when it comes to getting ready for school including doing his own lunch and washing his uniform so should be allowed to stay at home for the week and get himself to school every day," she continued.
The post divided the Mumsnet community, with people coming down on both sides of the debate.
Some noted how much responsibility they were afford at that age, and the legal rights her son had.
"You do know he is old enough to get married at 16," one person wrote.
"He will be fine."
Another added: "I lived on my own at that age."
Others couldn't quite imagine things going smoothly if they were to leave their child.
"I wouldn't leave my 16-year-old for a whole week, but maybe yours is a bit more sensible and contentious than mine," one wrote.
Some users simply predicted disaster.
"I have met several 16-year-olds who have flooded the bath, forgot to lock the back door and the house was burgled, had a small gathering which turned into an epic party and the police were called," one user wrote.
Another appeared to be holding on to some deep-seated resentment about a similar scenario.
They wrote: "My parents left me home alone at 15. I resent to this day that they went away without me.
"Some horrible kids from school found out and kept coming round. My grandparents lived nearby but I was too scared to tell them."
Do you think leaving a 16-year-old home alone for a week is okay? Tell us in the comments below.
