Mom Makes Plans for New Year’s Eve Without Teenage Daughter. Now She’s Not Sure If She Should Leave Her Home Alone

A mother turned to Reddit to ask whether other parents would be comfortable letting their teenager stay home alone overnight on New Year’s Eve.

The mom explained that she originally planned to bring her teenage daughter along for holiday plans, but her daughter was later offered a babysitting job that night. The job is close to home, runs until about 2 a.m., and afterward the teen would walk back home to spend the night with the family dog.

According to the mom, she has complete confidence in her daughter’s behavior and noted that they live in a moderately sized town she considers safe. Still, she wondered whether other parents would feel comfortable letting a “responsible 14-year-old” stay home alone overnight on a holiday known for parties and late-night activity.

In the comments, many people reassured her that they would allow it under similar circumstances. Several shared personal experiences of babysitting late at night as young teens and said they managed without issues.

Others agreed but emphasized the importance of putting safety measures in place. Commenters suggested having emergency contacts available, ensuring the teen knows who to call if something goes wrong, and discouraging her from telling friends or others that she would be home alone. Some also recommended checking in regularly.

A few people focused on how the teen would get home after babysitting. They advised confirming that the adults she was sitting for would not be drinking and driving, asking them to watch her safely walk home, and having her send a message once she was inside with the door locked.

Not everyone was on board. One commenter said they would personally say no—not because they distrusted the teen, but because they were uncomfortable with the idea of her being home overnight with only a dog for protection, noting that pets aren’t always reliable in emergencies.

Overall, responses reflected a mix of confidence, caution, and personal comfort levels, with many agreeing that the decision ultimately depends on how responsible the teen is and how secure the parent feels about the situation.