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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To give consequences to daughter for waking the baby

262 replies

sleptlikeababydidnt · 08/02/2025 08:49

I'm probably just tired but dd is 7 and is constantly waking 4 month baby up either by bursting in our room to ask something when we've just put him down despite being told not to come in our room while we settle him or by raising her voice and waking him when he's napping, it's getting beyond a joke.
We have a 5 year old who manages to keep her voice down and not wake the baby who also doesn't come in our room when asked not to.

Aibu to give consequences for waking the baby or is that a step too far and I just need sleep?

OP posts:
Melancholyflower · 08/02/2025 10:02

Why are you putting the baby to bed in your room though, if you are then coming downstairs and leaving them? This is what I did with my babies in the nineties, but I thought the advice these days was for babies not to be left to sleep in a room on their own under 6 months.

Jennifershuffles · 08/02/2025 10:02

IroningBoardAgainstTheWall · 08/02/2025 10:00

Or.... Address the actual reason instead of essentially punishing a small child for expressing their sense of rejection from their parents or their resentment of how their lives have been turned upside down....

Honestly, no wonder adults are repressed, angry and depressed.

What do you think the reason is?

IroningBoardAgainstTheWall · 08/02/2025 10:01

Finella12 · 08/02/2025 09:59

Does no one else think it’s actually ok for a child not to be the main character for five minutes?

It's not that, we just think that maybe there's more going in here than just a child being naughty.

Maybe it's a child desperate for parents to acknowledge the fact she feels pushed out and her life is completely different and her parents are prioritising this baby that is the cause of the disruption.

arethereanyleftatall · 08/02/2025 10:01

I think i might change the baby's routine. They don't know the clock so you can do what you like to suit your own family.
It sounds like these must be the times when your dh is at work still, otherwise presumably he would be reading to or whatever your elder 2.
So - can you do your elder 2s bedtime first?

WhatALightbulbMoment · 08/02/2025 10:01

HundredPercentUnsure · 08/02/2025 09:48

So who is looking after your 7yo when you're in your bedroom with baby?

A 7 year old doesn't need constant supervision at home

Porcuporpoise · 08/02/2025 10:01

Who are you people whose 7 year old can't be left to quietly amuse themselves for 15 minutes? And why are you raising children who can't exercise a minimal amount of restraint and consideration for others? It's nothing to be proud of.

Finella12 · 08/02/2025 10:01

IroningBoardAgainstTheWall · 08/02/2025 10:00

Or.... Address the actual reason instead of essentially punishing a small child for expressing their sense of rejection from their parents or their resentment of how their lives have been turned upside down....

Honestly, no wonder adults are repressed, angry and depressed.

It might be nothing to do with a sense of rejection though. They might just be impatient. Mine certainly is. No new baby here.

IroningBoardAgainstTheWall · 08/02/2025 10:00

Jennifershuffles · 08/02/2025 09:55

I'll go against the grain and say yes, I think you should give her some consequences - there's a rule (don't disturb the baby when she's settling to sleep unless there is a danger) and she's breaking it.
I'd sit her down and tell her that we, the grown ups and older more interesting children, need to collaborate to help the baby to sleep so he can grow and become clever and interesting like she is, and so that we can have a bit of time to ourselves. If she comes in again remind her and do whatever your usual consequence is (I'd go stern look until I get an apology but YMMV - my kids are timid)
Then when you do get baby to sleep go hang out with her and make sure you link it to the baby being asleep 'oh I love baby, but it's much nicer when we can play more complicated games together/ watch more interesting tv, just us isn't it? Thanks for helping by being quiet.'

Or.... Address the actual reason instead of essentially punishing a small child for expressing their sense of rejection from their parents or their resentment of how their lives have been turned upside down....

Honestly, no wonder adults are repressed, angry and depressed.

Finella12 · 08/02/2025 09:59

Does no one else think it’s actually ok for a child not to be the main character for five minutes?

LivingLaVidaBabyShower · 08/02/2025 09:59

IroningBoardAgainstTheWall · 08/02/2025 09:50

No need to implement consequences if you address the reason for the interrupting.

It's like saying "oh there's a leak in the kitchen radiator pipe" and just keep on mopping the floor each time and getting more exasperated when it keeps in happening, instead of fixing the leak...

Ridiculous analogy.

this therapy session mindset and limp wristed parenting the uk seems obsessed with is 90% of the problem in our current 20something workforce.

WhatALightbulbMoment · 08/02/2025 09:59

It's not unreasonable to expect a 7 year old to not do a particular thing and to occupy themselves for 20 minutes! I'm not surprised there are so many children who can't follow the most basic behavioural rules when expectations are so ridiculously low.
If you need to put the baby down to nap, and you've explicitly told her not to come into the bedroom, then she should be capable of following that rule. I presume you give her enough attention and love during the rest of the day and she can manage without you for 20 minutes. Kids want our attention all the time, it doesn't mean they will get it all the time, that's impossible.
I wouldn't go straight to punishments, I'd try rewards first. If that doesn't work, I'd do something like reduce screen time.

Finella12 · 08/02/2025 09:58

Soontobe60 · 08/02/2025 09:57

So are both her parents in the bedroom when shes told to go away?

🙄

IroningBoardAgainstTheWall · 08/02/2025 09:58

YorkshireIndie · 08/02/2025 09:29

My 5yr old knows if he is excessively loud and wakes his sister up after he goes to sleep he looses watching the TV in the morning. He only did it once and that was because he had a tantrum in the hallway after he got sent to bed

Harsh.

And all you have taught him is his sister is more important than he is a d he's not allowed to tell you he's upset.

Season 9 Good Job GIF by Friends
Soontobe60 · 08/02/2025 09:58

InDogweRust · 08/02/2025 09:22

What is she needing to go in your room for?

I agree op, I'd have a consequence for this. At 7 she is easily old enough to know that if she's been told to stay downstairs, she stays downstairs. In our house similar aged DC get 30 min tv after dinner, I'd get 3 lego men and put by tv. Each one is 10 min tv, every time she goes upstairs when told not to, she loses one. If she is still doing it, swap to 2 lego men each worth 15 mins. If still doing it, 1 lego man for whole 30 mins.

Great parenting - punishing a child for wanting attention off their parent!

Soontobe60 · 08/02/2025 09:57

sleptlikeababydidnt · 08/02/2025 09:01

It's mainly that she is asked not to come in our room where baby sleeps and yet still finds an excuse to or she'll knock loudly and won't stop until she's answered even after we tell her to go downstairs for a minute.

So are both her parents in the bedroom when shes told to go away?

DelilahRay · 08/02/2025 09:55

This reply has been withdrawn

Withdrawn at the request of the user.

Jennifershuffles · 08/02/2025 09:55

I'll go against the grain and say yes, I think you should give her some consequences - there's a rule (don't disturb the baby when she's settling to sleep unless there is a danger) and she's breaking it.
I'd sit her down and tell her that we, the grown ups and older more interesting children, need to collaborate to help the baby to sleep so he can grow and become clever and interesting like she is, and so that we can have a bit of time to ourselves. If she comes in again remind her and do whatever your usual consequence is (I'd go stern look until I get an apology but YMMV - my kids are timid)
Then when you do get baby to sleep go hang out with her and make sure you link it to the baby being asleep 'oh I love baby, but it's much nicer when we can play more complicated games together/ watch more interesting tv, just us isn't it? Thanks for helping by being quiet.'

IroningBoardAgainstTheWall · 08/02/2025 09:55

MissDeborah · 08/02/2025 09:53

FGS rewarding a child for normal behaviour!
No wonder we have a nation of entitled adults!
Ridiculous
She's 7 !

Everybody rewards children for normal behaviour... By praise "good boy", thanks... "thank you for tidying up" ... We innately/instinctively reward via positive reinforcement/attention from the main caregiver.

Felicityjoy · 08/02/2025 09:55

sleptlikeababydidnt · 08/02/2025 09:01

It's mainly that she is asked not to come in our room where baby sleeps and yet still finds an excuse to or she'll knock loudly and won't stop until she's answered even after we tell her to go downstairs for a minute.

Put a large sign that she can't possibly miss on the door.

Unless she is suddenly screeching at the top of her voice, she should be able to talk normally while the baby is asleep.

Try to think constructively (I know it’s hard when you’re so tired):

Before you take the baby up, talk to her about what she'll be doing during that time. Emphasise that the sooner he is fast asleep, the sooner you’ll be able to spend a little time with her, then do it, even if it’s only a two-minute cuddle and chat. Maybe get her (and other DD) a special notepad where they can draw a special picture for you, or something like that, while you’re settling the baby, to show you when you come out.

Try to make her feel she’s on your side with caring for the baby. Let her choose what he’s going to wear, ask her to help you bathe him. Talk to her about how tired you are because that pesky baby keeps waking you up at night.

If you have a partner, where is he during all this?

RisingSunn · 08/02/2025 09:54

JimHalpertsWife · 08/02/2025 09:12

But you come downstairs after he falls asleep in your room - so is sleeping alone yes?

Just stop.

MissDeborah · 08/02/2025 09:53

Sushu · 08/02/2025 09:49

YABU to start with consequences. You’d do far better for praising good behaviour and encouraging that. Reward her for being quiet.
Baby’s bedtime could be time for her to do something fun and grown up, a specific special activity to do or toy to play with that she gets for staying out of baby’s room and keeping the noise down.
I’d also include her in the bed time routine for the baby. She can be be responsible for something and that comes with the caveat that she has to be aware of her noise levels or she doesn’t get to be a helper.

FGS rewarding a child for normal behaviour!
No wonder we have a nation of entitled adults!
Ridiculous
She's 7 !

Newgirls · 08/02/2025 09:53

No way! They will grow up not getting on.

Youre frustrated but she’s the wrong target.

Sushu · 08/02/2025 09:51

Springflowersmakeforbetterhours · 08/02/2025 09:45

Lots of assumed resentment of a new baby on this thread.... Do nobody's dc actually adore their new sibling? Never dealt with such rubbish... Even my teens were thrilled when ds came along..

They may well love and adore their sibling but still be disrupted over having to share mum and dad’s time. It doesn’t mean they are resentful of the sibling. Small children aren’t very good at expressing their emotions yet. A change in routine can be difficult for some children. It takes time.

IroningBoardAgainstTheWall · 08/02/2025 09:50

LivingLaVidaBabyShower · 08/02/2025 09:47

page 1 of this thread….🙄
my not yet 3 yo lets me put the baby down

100% implement consequences

i would also spend 1:1 time with her (one morning each weekend or something).
if she has in aggregate let you put the baby down I’d let her pick something “special” as a treat (eg pottery cafe) vs normal 1:1 time playing in the park if she’s not been listening/behaving at babys bedtime

Edited

No need to implement consequences if you address the reason for the interrupting.

It's like saying "oh there's a leak in the kitchen radiator pipe" and just keep on mopping the floor each time and getting more exasperated when it keeps in happening, instead of fixing the leak...

Hedgerow2 · 08/02/2025 09:50

Springflowersmakeforbetterhours · 08/02/2025 09:45

Lots of assumed resentment of a new baby on this thread.... Do nobody's dc actually adore their new sibling? Never dealt with such rubbish... Even my teens were thrilled when ds came along..

You're comparing how a teen might feel about a new baby with how a 7 year old might feel?!