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AIBU?

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Original poster

To be fuming DH left our 8yo to supervise the baby while he mowed the lawn??

466 replies

Erisheck · 25/08/2025 13:35

So I popped to the shop earlier, only meant to be ten mins. Left DH at home with DCs.

Come back to find DH out the back mowing the lawn, all very pleased with himself. Meanwhile he had apparently told our 8yo DD to “keep an eye on” the baby while he did it. Baby is 16 months.

I walked in to find baby in the living room COVERED in biro scribbles. Face, arms, even a bit on her sleepsuit. DD said she was “playing schools” and DH thinks it is hilarious.

I do not. I am SO angry. Yes baby is fine but that is not the point. What if she had choked on a pen lid. What if she had fallen. An 8yo is a CHILD not a babysitter.

DH is saying I am overreacting and that it was “only 15 minutes.” I think he has lost his mind.

AIBU to be this furious?

OP posts:
cheesycheesy · 25/08/2025 13:40

I can’t believe an 8 year old would think it’s ok to scribble on a baby. I’d trust my 5 year old with his baby brother more than that

CutiePieOk · 25/08/2025 13:40

I have a 9 yr old he wouldnt have done that last year. Weird.

Tryingtokeepgoing · 25/08/2025 13:39

Definitely seems more like a badly behaved 8 year-old problem than a husband problem, though of course the onus for that sits with both of you!!

LimbOnTheBranchBranchOnTheTreeTheTreeInTheBog · 25/08/2025 13:39

I have an 8yo and honestly couldn't imagine her scribbling all over a baby.

Is this usual behaviour for her? If so your dh was unreasonable leaving the baby with her.

Youcancallmeirrelevant · 25/08/2025 13:39

tumblingdowntherabbithole · 25/08/2025 13:36

I think your 8yo should know better than to draw all over their sibling.

I also don't think your DH did anything drastically wrong - he was only in the garden.

I agree with this, what on earther was your 8 yo doing? That is not normal behaviour for that age.

This is the beauty of a bigger age gap, the older sibling can watch the younger one

saveforthat · 25/08/2025 13:39

Did your 8 year old draw on the baby (bad) or give the pen to the baby who drew on herself (worse)? I think an 8 year old should know better to be honest and should be able to watch a baby for 15 minutes if Dad is in the garden.

Hercisback1 · 25/08/2025 13:39

Your 8yo is the problem here. I leave my 8yo with his baby cousin and they're fine.

CracklingFlames · 25/08/2025 13:38

That said, I wouldn't have had pens in the same room as a baby and my kids at eight would have known NEVER to draw on a baby!

Meandmyguy · 25/08/2025 13:38

I can't see the problem.

Your 8 year old would worry me a bit.

rubyslippers · 25/08/2025 13:38

an eight year old knows not to draw on their sibling. Where did they find a pen?
providing the children were safe then a few mins to get on with chores is ok
otherwise how would anyone get anything done

RodeoJoan · 25/08/2025 13:38

At 8 years old we looked after our younger siblings or cousins with no issue. The 8 yo should know better!!

CracklingFlames · 25/08/2025 13:38

I think your dh was reasonable.

Sirzy · 25/08/2025 13:37

He should be able to leave them for a few minutes.

Your 8 year old should know a lot better than to draw on anyone or anything other than paper!

PurpleThistle7 · 25/08/2025 13:37

I'd be pretty annoyed with my 8 year old - that's definitely old enough to know better.

jhmlwos · 25/08/2025 13:37

Agree with PP. would be more concerned about 8 year old behaviour than anything else here.

tumblingdowntherabbithole · 25/08/2025 13:36

I think your 8yo should know better than to draw all over their sibling.

I also don't think your DH did anything drastically wrong - he was only in the garden.