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To think this is neglectful parenting?

159 replies

MissB77778 · 17/06/2024 17:51

My 2 year old sleeps at her dad's house every other weekend. She has absolutely no routine there, is allowed to stay up until whatever time she wants and often misses nap times. Her mealtimes are also all over the place. I know this because my ex has told me that he struggles to stick to the routine I have in place for her when she's with me, as he "cannot force her to sleep when she doesn't want to"

When my ex dropped DD off last night, I asked him about how her day was. He then proceeded to proudly tell me he let her "sleep in until 12pm" and she didn't have a bath until 1pm. Meaning that by the time my child got ready for the day she had been in the same nappy since the evening before and had already missed breakfast and lunchtime.

I do not want my DD to go back there because I believe he is being a neglectful parent. I need some outside opinions as I've thought about it too much and am now questioning if this is a dramatic response.

OP posts:
Hankunamatata · 17/06/2024 18:32

You said he doesnt have a routine. If she didn't go to bed until midnight then she would be normal night sleep as such one nappy.

I know it would drive me insane as I'm a creature of habit but I don't think it's neglect

ProjectEdensGate · 17/06/2024 18:29

Of course it's not neglectful if ONCE your DC slept in until noon. She could've been unwell or up five times in the night.

You don't like that he doesn't do what you would do. But it's not neglectful to have a different parenting style.

TootGoesTheOwl · 17/06/2024 18:26

Hugmorecats · 17/06/2024 17:57

I’d be worried that she actually woke up earlier than 12 and he ignored her

This!
I have never heard of a 2 year old that would sleep so late. Even if mine went to bed extremely late they would still be up with the larks for their breakfast.
Just a thought, I don't suppose your ex smokes weed/drinks heavily by any chance?

FatmanandKnobbin · 17/06/2024 18:01

I don't think you can stop contact for that.

It's not ideal, but it's not neglect either.

I'm in a situation where my dds go to their dads and he is a very different parent than me, so I sympathise, but you just need to learn to let it go, as long as dd is safe. He's probably just trying to get a reaction.

OhHelloMiss · 17/06/2024 18:01

He's finding his feet

You can't stop contact over that.

Histaremix · 17/06/2024 18:00

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Hugmorecats · 17/06/2024 17:57

I’d be worried that she actually woke up earlier than 12 and he ignored her

ButWhatAboutTheBees · 17/06/2024 17:57

Only if there were signs of nappy causing irritation and I'd think at 2, DD would wake-up and make a fuss if it hurt or she was hungry

He has a different parenting style to you but I'm not sure in neglectful

Hugmorecats · 17/06/2024 17:56

I don’t think what time the bath is matters, but it seems very odd for a 2 year old to sleep in that long. My two are past that age, but they never slept in past 8.30 - and it was more like 6.30 most days!

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