Tips for Surviving Without Parents

We're so jealous! Our parents never left us home alone when we were teenagers. Unlike klylxy, we probably would have done something horrible, like emptied out all the sock drawers and opened the bird cage door. The world will never know. —Sparkitors

Hi, Sparklers, kylxy here. Yesterday, my parents and youngest sister left town to go across the country and visit family. Guess what else? They trusted iplayharp, my brother, and me to stay home, ALONE, for three whole days. And now, I have decided to share my three best tips on surviving without your parents.

Tip #1: Don't get crazy. Although the media has made it seem cool to have a wild drugs and alcohol party, it is ultimately the worst idea one could possibly have. I have never forgotten the time my neighbor threw a party and his friends threw cigarettes over the fence onto our trampoline, burning lots of holes in it. Do you know what happened to him? My mom told him if he didn’t buy a new trampoline, she would tell his parents. (GO MOM!) We have a nice trampoline now, with a net. Win. Seriously though, as fun as it may seem to have a party, it will probably result in you passed out face-first into the carpet, while people laugh at you. Does that sound fun? I didn’t think so.

Instead: Go out with friends. Maybe to a movie, the mall, mini golf, camel riding, shepherding, anything else! It’ll be a lot more fun, without the mess or consequences. Just make sure your parents are okay with it.

Tip #2: Don’t eat pizza every night. It’s not good for you, and you know it. I hate to sound like Julian Micheals, but it’s true. Although it may be tempting to open yourself a box of thin mints and scarf it down like it’s your last meal, there are better alternatives.

Instead: Choose one night and go out for ice cream and pizza. Pig out, have fun, eat and smell that oh-so-scrumptious freedom. That way, your parents don’t come back to an empty freezer, and you haven’t added five pounds to your belly. It’s a win-win.

Tip #3: Don’t laugh when your parents hand you the list of Emergency numbers. These could be important. Poison control, hotel phone numbers, and neighbors could save your life. So if your mom hands you a list of number, I strongly suggest you don’t throw it away.

Instead: Keep the emergency numbers with you at all times, whether that means putting them in your cell phone or on the fridge. These numbers are your lifeline; you never know what might happen involving an old Elmo doll and a hot lightbulb. This is some scary stuff guys! It’s your life and now it’s up to you to protect it.

I leave you with one last piece of advice; if your parents trust you enough to leave you home alone while they are out of town, don’t let them down. They now respect you as a young adult, and they expect you to be able to care for yourself. Now, I’m off to call my friends so we can light my Elmo doll on fire while eating ice cream. (Kidding.)

Have you parents ever left you home alone? How did it go?

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