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Original poster

7 year old wakes up at 5:30am everyday

87 replies

Theponytales · 09/09/2025 07:03

I am at my wits end with this. He wakes at 5:30 most days, sometimes it’s 6am, latest 6:30 this week. He’ll come into our bedroom and ask if he can go downstairs yet.
Obviously then we are awake. Alarm goes off at 6:30 on a weekday as that’s when we get up for work. So we’re losing an hour of sleep everyday and more at weekends.

I’m also worried about the amount of sleep he’s getting. He’s in bed by 8pm, has a story but isn’t asleep until 9pm. So he’s getting less than 9 hours sleep which I’m assuming isn’t ideal for a child of 7 years old. He’s very active, does judo, swimming and beavers during the week, school everyday. He does lots of walking with his dad, scooting and he’s learning to ride his bike.

He never slept well as a baby and dropped his daytime naps before he was 1 year old.

I’ve had sleep issues most of my life, I was diagnosed AUDHD a few months ago. He’s also ok the waiting list for the same, so I’m wondering if its connected.

I guess I’m worried it’ll impact his development in some way.

OP posts:
Wallywobbles · 09/09/2025 07:20

I come from a family of non sleepers. I was probably 14 before I slept past 5am. When I was at home I just used to read. Can’t he do that? But he needs to learn that unless it’s a 8+/10 problem he must never ever wake people up.
The most useful thing I was ever told was that as long as I was in bed and resting then not to worry about being asleep. It takes all the stress out of not being able to sleep.

NotSmallButFunSize · 09/09/2025 07:19

I stopped getting up with mine when they were about 4! They had a gro clock and strict instructions not to get up before it changed and then to be super quiet sneaking down to put the TV on.

Absolutely no way would I be having a 7 year old still wake me early like this!

Lesina · 09/09/2025 07:19

5.30am isn’t an unreasonable time to wake up. We are normally up and about by then. Though we do have horses so maybe I’m a bit skewed in my thinking. 🤔

CantHoldMeDown · 09/09/2025 07:18

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

Meeeeeeeeep · 09/09/2025 07:18

Let him get up but tell him not to wake you. At 7 he is old enough to get dressed and pour himself some cereal and watch some TV.

ShesTheAlbatross · 09/09/2025 07:17

My 6 year old has always been an early riser. But we’ve always been clear that unless there is a problem, she has to stay in her room until 7. She has toys, jigsaws, and books, and she entertains herself.

Bearbookagainandagain · 09/09/2025 07:17

My nephew is going through a phase like this as well. At 7 he's old enough to either play in his room or go downstairs on his own without asking.

Imissgoldengrahams · 09/09/2025 07:15

My 8 year old is like this
Wakes up between 5 and half 5
Grow clocks don't make any difference
And if I tell her to go back to bed she will slam doors and turn up lights, waking up her siblings so I feel like I don't have a choice but to get up with her

Easyozy · 09/09/2025 07:14

Mine was always a very early riser. By 4/5 he would just play quietly in his room until a more reasonable time and at 7 he could go downstairs himself. Just tell him not to wake you before 6.30! He's old enough to understand that surely?

HelloGreen · 09/09/2025 07:14

Get one of those clocks that changes colour when they’re allowed to get up. If he’s a natural early walker he can wake and stay in his bed or room until the light colour changes at 6:30.

I also agree with @Burningbud1981 that his bedtime is quite late for a 7 year old.

Agix · 09/09/2025 07:13

Tell him he can't come into your room in the mornings. You will decide when you wake up

Burningbud1981 · 09/09/2025 07:10

If you are worried about lack of sleep maybe put him to bed earlier? 9pm is quite late for a 7 year old.