Letting my child play whilst I lie in?

[justforthisonce]

My dd is 7, once a week I lay out her breakfast and she gets up and plays whilst I lie in a bit. I am a lone parent. My parents both did this with me and my sibling. My dd loves it as she gets to play uninterrupted in her room, something she doesn't get a great deal of time to do with school and activities and she feels grown up getting breakfast.

Her bedroom is right next to mine so she is not far from me at all

It's good for my mental health . She gets up at 6 every day. I have a slight feeling of guilt though when I do it and wonder if it is the wrong thing to do . What do you do with your kids? Aibu?

[lightcola]

I dream about the day I can do this. As long as the house is secure, she can get to you if needed then I don't see the problem. It's not like you're doing it every day.

[AliceInUnderpants]

My kids are much earlier risers than I am. They've been getting up alone for god knows how long. They know the rules, the just play on their 2DS or Kindles until they get hungry then come and wake me

[venys]

Gosh I do this to some extent with my 3 and 5 year olds on the odd occasion if they get up early. You need a break and as long as they are safe, don't worry about it.

[MsMermaid]

It's really not a problem. Dd1 was 4 when I started doing that, she loved it, I could hear her at all times (small flat), win win.

[Birdsgottafly]

This was the reason that I child proofed my home and had secure locks.

Mine were left slightly earlier, I think from around three.

[PolaroidsFromTheBeyond]

It sounds fine. Stop worrying. My DD is 7 and a very early riser (5-5.30 regardless of bedtime). There is no way I'm getting up that early so she often plays in her room for a good hour every morning. Sometimes she goes downstairs and sorts herself out with cereal. I'm fine with it and so is she.

[Topseyt]

Perfectly fine.

[KateLivesInEngland]

I do this, I have four ranging from 10 to 3.
3yr old still has a baby gate on her room due to stairs being a bit awkward but my 9yr old lets her out and they play together for an hour or so. 3yr old has a few toys in her room so you can often hear her clattering about really early.

[InTheSandPit]

No, YANBU.
This is exactly what I've been doing with mine since they were 6 and 4.
It started when DH was away for 3 months, and I didn't work very well getting up at 6am, at the latest, 7 days a week. Plus some night wakes.
Just one lie in til 7 or so makes a massive difference. And I was half awake anyway - mine can't open a door quietly, so I was well aware they were up. Aware enough to go and stop the tv and return them to bed when they got up at 4.30 one morning.

[Mari50]

I've done this ever since she could be left safely unsupervised. Feel no guilt whatsoever, my parents didn't feel they had to be ever present when I was young and I don't think I should be with my daughter. Relax and enjoy your lie in guilt free

[BigDamnNCFail]

She's seven?! I thought you were going to say she was three. Sounds fine.

[Bonkerz]

My 5 year old son takes himself downstairs and gets a waffle or cereal or fruit and puts tv on. Home is kid proof anyway.

[EveryoneElsie]

Stop feeling guilty!
You are not doing anything wrong and you dont need any one elses validation or permission!

Remember, kids need to develop coping skills such as being able to get their own drink and snack, entertain themselves for an hour, and generally organise their time without you policing their every breath.

Enjoy your lie in. Here

[NarkyKnockers]

I wouldn't do it with a very young child but a 7 yo is fine.

[JoyOdell]

We have done this yesterday, and we have four children! Oldest two (8 + 9) got breakfast for 5 & 2 year old and they all happily sat watching telly and playing downstairs. They started wandering in and out of our room about 9 ish. They love the independence, we love the chance to shag

[nonladyofleisure]

My 6 year old makes his own breakfast everyday. I'm awake normally in the bath/ getting dressed or I'll sit with him at the table And I'm there if he shouts mum there's a spillage but I'm teaching him how to he independent.

My 13 year old has made his own packed lunch for the past 2 years if not longer. And is a very independent child now but always gets reined in if necessary :)

[Iknownuffink]

Of course you are not doing anything wrong. At seven she should be able to occupy herself in order for you to have a lie in.

[TheHuntingOfTheSarky]

We do this all the tine with DDs 5 and 8 at the weekends. They can get their own breakfasts and are perfectly happy to play or watch Netflix until we get up. It's fine. If she's happy with it then hurrah, get some extra rest!

[justforthisonce]

Thanks everyone, I'm glad to know I'm not alone ,I do worry a lot about doing the right thing

[SolidGoldBrass]

Totally fine. DS at about 4 used to get up and put the telly on; the house was safe and he could come and wake me up if he needed anything urgently.

[Toomanymarsbars]

I wish i could do this! Although not a SP my dh does work abroad so I'm fully on my own with 3 under 3 and the oldest is up at around 5am every.Single. Day. I never get a lie in ever lol. If she's happy, don't worry. You're doing an ace job! xx

[Thingvellir]

We do this every Sunday. DC ages 7 and 5 are allowed their iPads from 7.30 am until we get up. They usually start coming in to our room when they are getting hungry. Mental note to try the laying out of the breakfast things next week, genius

[MammaTJ]

When my DC were that age, I was working nights, and going to bed and leaving them to it. they could tell the time and knew to get their prepared lunch out of the fridge.

You are doing nothing wrong and looking after yourself for a brief period once a week. In being good to yourself, you are ensuring you are able to take care of your daughter.

[KissMyArse]

YANBU

7 years is practically ancient! I also thought you were going to say they were a toddler.