Colman Noctor: Is my teen old enough to be home alone over the summer?

Long summer breaks and teens who are too young for summer jobs doesn't have to be all bad — it can be an opportunity to learn some independence

Dr Colman Noctor: "In the past, 14-year-olds were often used as babysitters, whereas now, 14-year-olds frequently require babysitters. While there are many reasons for this, it's not a positive development."

My eldest son is finishing his first year of secondary school in the coming weeks — posing considerable practical challenges at home.

Our management of the long summer breaks, up to now, has been to fill the time with a series of camps, a family holiday, and a smattering of staggered annual leave days. But traditional camps are no longer suitable for my 14-year-old son. (I investigated the option of a month at an Irish college, but the places were all gone when I checked.)