Everyone needs space......as long as you trust your bf.

Sure. I've known of some 13 year olds who have been hired to babysit other children. It depends on how much trust they have earned. You HAVE given him the opportunity to earn trust, haven't you?

I have a 13 year old son who is absolutely DELIGHTED to be left alone. LOL Don't feel guilty, and ask him, kids are pretty easy to read, if its not an everynight thing, he's probably fine with it.

Provided you leave him 'goodies, and instructions on how to contact you and anyone else he is close to, he should be fine, you deserve to have a bit of fun time :)

I think it depends on the maturity level and if they are level headed enough to know how to handle an emergency. FOr short term, I see no problem. I wouldn't leave him alone for 8 hours but for 2-3 I don't see a problem (as long as he's awake in case of fire)

Yes, as a male teenager, he needs time to himself. I applaud you for raising a son as a single mother, my mom had to do the same. I know when my brother reached that age he needed his privacy! At 13, and a MALE, he seriously needs time away from mommy!

Leave him alone. He'll take care of himself.

if he is anything like I was trust me he WANTS to be left alone sometimes. And no I don't mean that in a nasty way, he just probably needs time alone occasionally.

I was baysitting other kids when I was that age. It depends on how trustworthy his is, but for a few hours, I can't see a problem. I wouldn't go for overnight, just yet.

sure its healthy he needs to learn independence away from his mommy and he needs to have "man time" lol

I'm 13 and my dad leaves me alone when ever he needs to do errands and i don't want to go with him...it's nice...quite...Leave him alone for short periods until you can trust him while he's alone.

You are his mother, but that is only one of many roles that you play. You deserve time with your boyfriend. Also it would be good for your son to know that no one is everything to someone else: we all have different friends and socialize with different people. It's healthy to spend your time with different people. All of your time with one person and usually you will find yourself unsatisfied. A night alone isn't going to hurt your son. He is 13 and it's time he starts spending time on his own. That's another thing he could learn from this situation: we all need to know how to spend time on our own. We can't rely on other people all the time to entertain us, partly because that's not practical, but also because then you'll never have the opportunity to get to know yourself, and if you don't know yourself you will be unsuccessful in your life pursuits.

Provided he is okay with it then no need to feel guilty. He probably does feel smothered - and will probably appreciate the time.

It depends on the child, but if your son is trustworthy he'd probably enjoy some time to himself. As long as it's not all the time and he has a way to contact you in an emergency. Just make sure that you put your child first over your BF--there is nothing worse than a parent that places their child's best interest, safety, and happiness below that of their S/O.

A lot of this depends on when you leave him alone, what kind of character he has, is he getting in trouble? Does your son have friends you would not be comfortable with him be alone? Another question, does your "boyfriend" bring this issue up?

I know that when I was around 13, I liked to have the house to myself. Don't worry so much about it and give it a chance, just make sure it isn't an every day thing.

(last time I checked...) In england a babysitter is required to be 14 or older if imported, or 12 if it is a family member. On that basis, I think a 13 year old is allowed to look after himself.

Do not feel guilty about having a life beyond your child. Life is about balance. Many women forget that and when the child leaves they are devastated. To go out once a week is nothing to feel guilty about. Including him in on other days with your BF is very important also. But at 13...it is a good time to start having him take care of himself for a couple hours at a time. I wouldn't leave him home alone over night though....

I can't answer that for you without knowing your child. What I can tell you, is that you know your child, and you know how they react to trouble. You know whether or not they are sneaky or mischievous. Basically, deep in your heart, you know the answer. If you don't want to be biased, your family doctor, and relatives can help you with that decision. And I suspect that it will be fine. In my humble opinion, leaving them for periods of time is very valuable in developing their self sufficiency. Start by leaving him home while you run to the grocery store (1/2 hour to an hour)... Give him strict rules and make sure he knows who to call in an emergency. Once you are comfortable with that, stretch it to two or three hours while you go on a date. He will learn to fend for himself for snacks and food, and your trust in him to stay home by himself will make him feel like a "big boy". Congratulations - you are on your way to one of the best parts of parenthood. - You will no longer have a warden - you will be free to move about and be YOU without worrying about babysitters. - Enjoy it between 13 and 15 - because you will then have to start worrying about how to foil party plans... Buzz me when that time comes - I'm an expert :).

Of course - something is wrong with a 13 year old who can't be left alone for a little bit. Some kids that age are hired to tend other children. He's too young to leave alone for a weekend away, but time away for a date or some alone time? Absolutely. It won't be too many years until he's leaving YOU alone for his own dates.

I have paid a 12 year old to babysit my 2 year old... shame we moved, she was the only non family member he would eat for.

i cant leave her (13 years old by her self ) she's leave every thing mas .. even poling eggs in the stave until the eggs get the black color ,, trouble maker that what i can say

of corce! My parents left me alone all the time when I was 13. They would give me monet for pizza and would say I could rent a movie as a treat, lol. I think it's important to teach kids to be independent when there young, or else they mat turn out to be a that clingy momas boy.