Parents of teens.

Wheel Estate wrote:
at what age did you start baby sitting ? it seems to me if you can trust them to baby sit ...they are old enough to be alone anywhere!!!!

My baby sitters were in the 12 year old range. We turned out OK.

My youngest son is 14, about a month younger than your oldest DD. We wouldn't think a thing about leaving him alone in the RV for a couple of hours or so. He started staying in the RV alone while we took 30-60 minute walks (often away from the campground premises) when he was 11 or 12. In just a little over a year he'll be a licensed driver. In a few very short years he'll be heading off to college, perhaps thousands of miles away. The time to start learning responsibility and gaining independence is now, not then. Of course all the common-sense things apply: He has a cell phone, campground feels safe, etc.

Tough call. Depends on the campground and other factors. If the campground is mostly seniors or familys and the girls have a cell phone and you've met the neighbors, I might leave them for a half hour or so.

One is NEVER "absolutely sure"
That's why we are designed to have kids while we are young and can stand the stress :)
And that's why good parents ask for advice and reassurance :)

It depends on the teens. Could they handle an emergency like a fire? Would they unlock the door if someone tried to trick them like saying they were from the police dept and their parents had been in a wreck? Do they drive? What is their curfew? Each teen is different. How far away would you be if something happened? How far away is the host or park ranger. How close to other campers? Until you are absolutely sure, I'd take them with me.

I suppose having no kids makes me "different", but I never understood parents asking advice on how to raise their kids? Shouldn't you know when they're ready to be left alone? I suppose if they had my trust, I would have no problem leaving them, with the proper safety protocols in place.

Terryallan wrote:

Ozlander wrote:

campincory wrote:
I'm wondering at what age would you leave your kids alone at the campground while you went to the store. Lets say you'd be gone about an hour or so. We have not yet left our very well behaved and respectful girls alone in the camper for any amount of time and I'm wonder if we are being over protective. My oldest will be 15 in Oct and my middle daughter is 13. They stay home alone at home all the time, we just haven't left them alone in the camper yet.

Gee, around here the oldest could be driving in a year or so.
Surely, they can be left at the campsite for an hour or so.

Agree. If you can't leave them for an hour NOW. You will go CRAZY when you see then drive off alone in a year. Better start letting them have some freedom now.

X2
It's been my observation that kids over protected and underexposed to life are unprepared to deal with it and make a mess of it.
Perhaps that's the subconscious wish of smothering parents so when it happens they can continue to rescue and protect their "children " till late in life.
No doubt everyone here knows someone enabling and excusing their adult "children"
I'm curious as to what timeframe someone who won't let their 16 year old "stay alone for an hour or so" has in mind to let them learn responsibility.

Ozlander wrote:

campincory wrote:
I'm wondering at what age would you leave your kids alone at the campground while you went to the store. Lets say you'd be gone about an hour or so. We have not yet left our very well behaved and respectful girls alone in the camper for any amount of time and I'm wonder if we are being over protective. My oldest will be 15 in Oct and my middle daughter is 13. They stay home alone at home all the time, we just haven't left them alone in the camper yet.

Gee, around here the oldest could be driving in a year or so.
Surely, they can be left at the campsite for an hour or so.

Agree. If you can't leave them for an hour NOW. You will go CRAZY when you see then drive off alone in a year. Better start letting them have some freedom now.

Do you leave them alone at your home? If so, is the camper that much different? DH and I went out to dinner without our 14 & 16 sons. The campground, a Jellystone, had a café selling burgers and bbq. The boys were much happier staying/eating there and we enjoyed some couple time having dinner in town.

campincory wrote:
I'm wondering at what age would you leave your kids alone at the campground while you went to the store. Lets say you'd be gone about an hour or so. We have not yet left our very well behaved and respectful girls alone in the camper for any amount of time and I'm wonder if we are being over protective. My oldest will be 15 in Oct and my middle daughter is 13. They stay home alone at home all the time, we just haven't left them alone in the camper yet.

What is your worry? You know your kids, and since you are asking my guess is you have a concern. Since you leave them alone at home, my guess is you are worried about 'bad folks'. If thats the case, you should be worried about 'bad folks' all the time and solve that issue. Karate or pepper spray or base ball bat or whatever.