to leave my 6 yr old 'in charge' of my 17 month old?

[FigRolls]

I have an en suite bathroom. I close the bedroom door, leave the bathroom door open and have a large mirrored wardrobe so I can see into the bedroom. Aibu to leave 6 yr old playing with 16 month old when I shower?

[Norem]

No, why?

[ReluctantBeing]

I think that's ok.

[propertyNIGHTmareBEFOREXMAS]

Yanbu. Sounds fine to me.

[Alisvolatpropiis]

That's fine. You're allowed to wash!

Has a "friend" told you it's not ok?

[MrsCakesPremonition]

Sounds fine to me. So long as the 6yo knows not to open any stairgates etc.

[PacificDogwood]

What else would you do?

Absolutely fine IMO.

[InTheRedCorner]

I found it easier to have 16m old in the bathroom, on the floor whilst I was in the shower (or in the shower/bath with me) than give my 6 yr old responsibility tbh.

Your set up sounds fine but I'm not a fan of leaving elder children responsible for siblings.

[Raddy]

Yes, I would think it is fine.

[SanityClause]

Absolutely fine. She would be able to call you in case of some kind of emergency. It's not like you are expecting her to be able to deal with an emergency by herself.

[FigRolls]

Yes, a friend was shocked...! Tbh I'd leave toddler alone in same situation if 6 year old wasn't there so I'm obviously very irresponsible. Bedroom only contains a bed as all wardrobes are built in so no dangers. 6 year old knows not to open door/stairgate and toddler can't. Toddler gets claustrophobic if shut in en suite with me plus floor is cold in winter, slippery when wet etc.

[arethereanyleftatall]

This is what anyone with more than one child would do. And in most cases the eldest would be younger than 6. Yanbu.

[Strumpetron]

That's fine!

Jesus it's a wonder women, especially single parents, get the chance to wash or have a wee at all with people being judgey arses.

[arethereanyleftatall]

How does your friend shower then? Assuming she/he has children?

[Joysmum]

Such a sad reflection of society in general that you even feel the need to ask. What the hell are we parents expected to do. I only have one child and didn't have a 6 year pair of extra eyes for the baby when I was in the loo or bath or shower etc.

[FigRolls]

She got her mil round or waited til the evening apparently

[Strumpetron]

Did she hold her poos too

[MrsCakesPremonition]

DD went on her first Brownie camp at age 7. How on earth is your friend going to cope with her DCs growing independence.

[arethereanyleftatall]

She is absolutely bonkers then op, and way ott.

[YellowDinosaur]

Yes she is bonkers indeed.

My 2 are 20 months apart. I can't remember what I did with them (sleep deprived haze) but I certainly washed before going out in the morning.

They are now 6 and 7 and never came to any harm!

[KeepingUpWithTheJonses]

Of course it's fine!

Mine are 27 months apart and I used to leave them in the same room when I showered/went to the toilet.

[arethereanyleftatall]

I do remember some heart in mouth moments tho when I left me 23month old and new born and went for a shower. Like the time I couldn't fine newborn and discovered her lined up with loads of dolls/Teddies. Or the time, dd1 'accidentally'rocked Moses basket too much and it tipped over.

[BlameItOnTheBogey]

Mine are 18 months apart and I have always left them playing together while I shower. I made sure the room they were in was child proofed and got on with it.

[Mattissy]

There's 4 years between mine too, I always left ds looking after dd do I could shower, toilet etc.

Probably worse now, when they decide to fight!! Any amount of my stamping feet will not stop them once they've got going.

[CanucksoontobeinLondon]

YANBU. Does your friend expect you to walk around town dirty because you didn't want to leave your six year old in charge for five to ten minutes while you were showering?

[perfectstorm]

I was about to post that leaving them home alone was appalling, and then I read your OP... erm, your friend is batshit. How else do single parents wash? Sedate the toddlers? What?