Out of interest, how often do you "check" your sleeping children?

[scarletlilybug]

That's it, really.

Unless one of mine is unwell or upset, I never "check" between bedtime and waking-up time - which is 10-12 hours at a stretch. (Actually, that sounds quite a long time, put like that). Anyeway, have 3 children aged 8, 5 and 3.

But some of the things posters put on other threads make me wonder if this is highly unusual behaviour. Is it?

[TheMadHouse]

The only time I check on mine is when I go up to bed and that is just to turn off any lights and make sure they are covered up

[spicemonster]

I sometimes go in before I go to bed but otherwise I wait for him to wake me. Which he does most nights

[IllegallyBrunette]

I check on them all before I go to bed or more often if they are off colour.

[belgo]

I check mine just before I go to bed, usually between 10-11pm.

[hecAteTheirBrains]

I pop my head round their bedroom door every time I go to the loo, when I go to bed, every time I get up in the night to go to the loo, every time I hear a noise in the night and wake up thinking OH GOD WHAT ARE THEY DOING NOW and when I get up in the morning.

[snackattack]

yep, me too. I put them to bed and sometimes I check when I go to bed but not often - only if they are not well really.

[MimisMama]

If I'm going to the loo in the night I'd check my DD hadn't thrown her covers off. My DS is 5wks old so I'm waking up to feed him anyway (see my new thread!) and so would probably check her then too.

I wouldn't get out of bed especially to check them though and only really do it because I love to see them snuggled up in bed!

[elliott]

Mine are 6 and 4 and I nearly always go and see them before I go to bed. Not really to check on them as such, but just because I like to see them sleeping

[Seona1973]

the only time I do a check at my bedtime is if either of them were sick the night before and I check they have not thrown up again. Apart from that they dont get checked from bedtime until they wake in the morning (or if they wake upset in the night). DS's door makes too much noise when you open it so I would be afraid of waking him if I checked every night. DD is nearly 5 and ds has just turned 2.

[MadreInglese]

DP & I still pop in to check on our way to bed, or if we pop to the loo in the night, and DD is 10

(although I must admit it's usually for our own amusement as DD is always sleeping in some contortionist-like position with one or both cats tangled between her and the duvet)

[Miyazaki]

Normal service: before I got to bed

[MrsMattie]

I check on him once before I go to bed, always. It's compulsive, I can't not do it

[Rhubarb]

I second that. Before I go to bed.

I find this question interesting so I hope scarletlilybug doesn't mind if I do another thread asking the same question in a slightly different way?

[SpandexIsMyEnemy]

ds 2.5 usually twice but I live in a bungalow - once when I start studying (as I do it in the conservatory & check he's ok before I start) and once when I go to bed.

if he's unwell - tbh I usually wait unless it sounds like he needs me with him.

[FAQ]

I don't - I put them to bed at 8pm, and go to them when they wake up in the morning (well DS1 keeps himself occcupied as he's always awake ages before the rest of us) - only exception is if one of them has been unwell before bed then I may stick my head round the door to make sure they're ok. Mine are 8,4 and 16 months - has been the same since they were babies

[detoxdiva]

I check dd when I go to bed - that usually consists of turning her round the correct way and putting her back under the duvet (she's a bit of a wriggler in bed!)

[GobbledigookisThrifty]

If I go upstairs for something during the evening I have a look in.

I always check them when I go to bed - put them back in the right beds, turn them round the right way and put covers over and I always give them a kiss.

They are 7, nearly 6 and 4.

[GooseyLoosey]

I never "check" but I do sometimes "look" - they are so lovely when they're asleep.

[MascaraOHara]

I never check on my dd, she's 6.. if it's a cold night I will go in and pull her coversd back over her before I go to bed and

she always mumbles thank you in her sleep and I melt at the fact that she is so lovely.

[LadyOfWaffle]

DS2 is in bed with me so if he is sleeping alot I check whenever I stir which I guess is every hour or so? DS1 I daren't as he will wake and I will have to sit in with him! Besides he has taken to coming in with me too about 3am. Sometimes I poke my head around the door to check he hasn't kicked off his quilt, but only if I think he's deeply asleep... or if it's a cold night i'll take the risk if he isn't deeply asleep.

[LouMacca]

My twins are 5. I check on them when I go to bed between 10 - 11 and give them a kiss.

DH also checks on them when he comes up around 12ish (well, thats what he tells me, he could come to bed at 4am for all I know!)

[cheesesarnie]

mine are 8,7 and 2 and like op only check if unwell.dont want to disturb!

[luckylady74]

When I go to bed - it's not necessary really, but I do cover them up/turn them the right way up and kiss them. Dh does too.

[snickersnack]

Before I go to bed - dd gets a kiss and her covers pulled up, ds gets a fond look from a safe distance (very light sleeper). I wouldn't want to go to sleep without doing it, but it's not because I'm worried about them, just that it's something I like doing. I'll check more if they're ill.

[serendippity]

Oh crikey i must have a heart made of stone...I never check on dd who is 4. I'm too scared of waking her up! {feels very guilty}