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DH running with dd(8) at 5am

212 replies

foreveror · 15/02/2026 15:36

Dh has always got up everyday at 5am to go for a run. No problem, it briefly wakes me up but he doesn’t turn the light on or make noise so I fall straight back to sleep.

Last couple of weeks he’s started taking 8 year old dd with him and it’s annoying me so much.

He tries to keep her quiet and get her down the stairs and out the door without waking anyone but it’s just so much louder having an 8 year old up and awake. Younger dc are sometimes waking up and coming into me.

I also feel I can’t fall back to sleep knowing she’s out there in the dark which I know is very silly, I don’t worry about her when she’s out with him in the day but it just feels different knowing she’s not in bed.

She’s very slim and does dance, gymnastics, football and skating every week so definitely doesn’t need the exercise. It’s just seems so unnecessary.

She tripped the other morning and came back in his arms in tears screaming she’d broke her ankle. She was fine, she’s just really dramatic but it made us all late for school. I know it wasn’t his fault but I couldn’t help feeling like it was as it wouldn’t have happened if he had just left her in bed.

I’m being completely unreasonable aren’t I? Would anyone else be annoyed by this?

OP posts:
Sartre · 15/02/2026 18:11

saltandvinegarpringles · 15/02/2026 18:09

Why?

My concern would be the distance it too much for someone her age and that it will put her heart under a lot of strain. It’s great for an adult, too much for an 8 year old. Also would worry she’s losing out on sleep, unless she’s going to bed earlier to compensate. Halving the distance would be better.

saltandvinegarpringles · 15/02/2026 18:09

MargeryBargery · 15/02/2026 18:08

Eight years old?
Up at 5.00am?
Five kilometre run???????

Mental. Absolutely mental.

Why?

saltandvinegarpringles · 15/02/2026 18:09

CrazyGoatLady · 15/02/2026 18:04

The NHS is currently unable to get much right, except executive level pay of course

Quite - the steadfast defence of it by certain people is quite bonkers.

Natsku · 15/02/2026 18:09

Itsmetheflamingo · 15/02/2026 18:01

Where did I say it was watered down to the lowest common denominator (what a highly offensive thing to say about people btw)

the “lowest common denominator” in the uk or Finland is someone who can’t read, write or maybe has learning difficulties which renders them unable to comprehend advice

Its very clearly not aimed at those people

By watering down to the lowest common denominator it means the level of advice that is most likely to be followed by the most people, so it has to be easier even if its not as effective. Whereas the other way of giving advice is to tell people what they actually should do and even though you know not all will manage it you can hope more will try.

MargeryBargery · 15/02/2026 18:08

Eight years old?
Up at 5.00am?
Five kilometre run???????

Mental. Absolutely mental.

Sartre · 15/02/2026 18:08

Actually think it’s too much exercise for an 8 year old. If she’s keen to go running with him, why don’t they start doing junior park run? It’s half the distance so ideal for her age and they can still bond. I just think running 15k a week is brilliant for a fully grown adult but too much exertion for an 8 year old child, especially since she does other sports too…

saltandvinegarpringles · 15/02/2026 18:07

Itsmetheflamingo · 15/02/2026 18:06

Well literally, it doesn’t

Dictionary
Definitions from Oxford Languages · Learn more

lowest common denominator
/ləʊɪst kɒmən dɪˈnɒmɪneɪtə/
noun
noun: lowest common denominator; plural noun: lowest common denominators

MATHEMATICS the lowest common multiple of the denominators of several vulgar fractions.
DEROGATORY Hide definition the level of the least discriminating audience or consumer group. "they were accused of pandering to the lowest common denominator of public taste"

Which means exactly what I said it did - to the least discriminating audience (ie, the broadest audience).

Frillysweetpea · 15/02/2026 18:07

foreveror · 15/02/2026 16:06

Really? that’s interesting thank you

They are doing around 5k more than 3 times a week, I don’t really know how much of it’s she’s running but I’d imagine she’s doing pretty well.

And on the well-being side you would not be unfair to say she has to go to bed earlier by however much time she is losing in sleep in the morning. How much is that? It might make a difference to her decision.

Itsmetheflamingo · 15/02/2026 18:06

saltandvinegarpringles · 15/02/2026 18:03

That's not what it means.

It means to appeal to the largest number of people. It's not an insult.

Well literally, it doesn’t

Dictionary
Definitions from Oxford Languages · Learn more

lowest common denominator
/ləʊɪst kɒmən dɪˈnɒmɪneɪtə/
noun
noun: lowest common denominator; plural noun: lowest common denominators

MATHEMATICS the lowest common multiple of the denominators of several vulgar fractions.
DEROGATORY Hide definition the level of the least discriminating audience or consumer group. "they were accused of pandering to the lowest common denominator of public taste"

Before you continue to Google Search

https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&hs=dZ19&sca_esv=fd5359462c9cb57e&hl=en-gb&sxsrf=ANbL-n6plzBWUV0V4OPECg5mohFDd7Gzwg:1771178706533&q=denominators&si=AL3DRZFOEQeG2V0XTEZTM065cdYRUi76eKTRv3sfNljCtAN59qKrzR-8MnphilNc4miSPp10PxXnbcBf8fNTYt2rcB4TDj1VedX-vkJKPPKePyghKukAI64%3D&expnd=1&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjIuIvtitySAxV0QEEAHY15IwAQyecJegQIFBAP

Natsku · 15/02/2026 18:06

Itsmetheflamingo · 15/02/2026 17:59

Where have I said Uk guidelines are better?!

I am suggesting no one would stan Finland in the face of a portion of the whole world routinely recommending one hour of exercise for children.

Perhaps they should because clearly the advice is better. But no, too many countries say one hour because they think that's more achievable.

CrazyGoatLady · 15/02/2026 18:04

saltandvinegarpringles · 15/02/2026 18:00

You make very odd assumptions and seem to get very angry whenever anyone suggests the NHS may not be the gold standard for health advice 😂

5 portions of fruit and veg a day is incredibly old and outdated advice. Seeing as the NHS can't even get that right, I wouldn't be relying on them to recommend a decent amount of exercise for people either.

The NHS is currently unable to get much right, except executive level pay of course

saltandvinegarpringles · 15/02/2026 18:03

Itsmetheflamingo · 15/02/2026 18:01

Where did I say it was watered down to the lowest common denominator (what a highly offensive thing to say about people btw)

the “lowest common denominator” in the uk or Finland is someone who can’t read, write or maybe has learning difficulties which renders them unable to comprehend advice

Its very clearly not aimed at those people

That's not what it means.

It means to appeal to the largest number of people. It's not an insult.

Itsmetheflamingo · 15/02/2026 18:01

Natsku · 15/02/2026 17:59

Are you sure about that? It's not watered down to the lowest common denominator in my country.

Where did I say it was watered down to the lowest common denominator (what a highly offensive thing to say about people btw)

the “lowest common denominator” in the uk or Finland is someone who can’t read, write or maybe has learning difficulties which renders them unable to comprehend advice

Its very clearly not aimed at those people

saltandvinegarpringles · 15/02/2026 18:01

Pearlstillsinging · 15/02/2026 17:57

Unfortunately it seems that this is a case where the parents need to say "No, not yet, wait un til.you are older".
Thefact that she wants to go running isn't really relevant at this age.

Why?

She gets plenty of sleep, she wants to go and she's with her dad.

saltandvinegarpringles · 15/02/2026 18:00

Itsmetheflamingo · 15/02/2026 17:57

got an answer for everything haven’t you, you? If nhs recommended 30 plants you’d be suggesting copying some random superior guideline from Albania or similar next

You make very odd assumptions and seem to get very angry whenever anyone suggests the NHS may not be the gold standard for health advice 😂

5 portions of fruit and veg a day is incredibly old and outdated advice. Seeing as the NHS can't even get that right, I wouldn't be relying on them to recommend a decent amount of exercise for people either.

Itsmetheflamingo · 15/02/2026 17:59

Natsku · 15/02/2026 17:56

Oh wow. You have a lot of misplaced faith in the Uk and its use of evidence to make guidelines. I mean the NHS still says to wait until 6 months to start feeding babies solids when more recent research shows it should be started earlier to prevent allergies. The UK has only just added the chickenpox vaccine to the schedule after claiming for years that it would increase shingles rates while small countries like mine followed the evidence and acted accordingly. And in regards to exercise recommendations, when I've given you a study that shows that British children are less fit than ones that are encouraged to exercise more are you still going to think UK guidelines are better?

Where have I said Uk guidelines are better?!

I am suggesting no one would stan Finland in the face of a portion of the whole world routinely recommending one hour of exercise for children.

CrazyGoatLady · 15/02/2026 17:59

Itsmetheflamingo · 15/02/2026 17:58

Yes, so the ground breaking I research we did on HIV wasn’t connected NHS guidence or the UK healthcare system

which is er… what I said a page ago.

Kinda hoping your research papers made a bit more sense than that!

Natsku · 15/02/2026 17:59

Itsmetheflamingo · 15/02/2026 17:52

it's advice that needs to be realistic for the majority of the population (in terms of affordability, availability and ability to cook).

as it is across the world.

Edited

Are you sure about that? It's not watered down to the lowest common denominator in my country.

Theroadt · 15/02/2026 17:59

I think if she’s going to bed as you say by 8pm, up at 5, that’s 9 hours. I think at 8yrs that’s ok but a little on the light side kidshealth.org recommends 9-12 hours with 10-11 being usual.

Itsmetheflamingo · 15/02/2026 17:58

CrazyGoatLady · 15/02/2026 17:57

You'll know how behind the times the NHS is then, and how resistant to any new ideas actually going from research to practice.

Yes, so the ground breaking I research we did on HIV wasn’t connected NHS guidence or the UK healthcare system

which is er… what I said a page ago.

Pearlstillsinging · 15/02/2026 17:57

Unfortunately it seems that this is a case where the parents need to say "No, not yet, wait un til.you are older".
Thefact that she wants to go running isn't really relevant at this age.

Itsmetheflamingo · 15/02/2026 17:57

saltandvinegarpringles · 15/02/2026 17:55

They do - because variety is more important than amounts.

That's why there's now guidance to eat 30+ plants a week.

got an answer for everything haven’t you, you? If nhs recommended 30 plants you’d be suggesting copying some random superior guideline from Albania or similar next

CrazyGoatLady · 15/02/2026 17:57

Itsmetheflamingo · 15/02/2026 17:53

Goodness I must be forgetting all the time I worked in international healthcare research in the university sector 🤯

You'll know how behind the times the NHS is then, and how resistant to any new ideas actually going from research to practice.

Natsku · 15/02/2026 17:56

Itsmetheflamingo · 15/02/2026 17:40

Ah well it does. When it comes to research and scientific discovery there aren’t many leading countries of 5million, let’s face it. Personally I wouldn’t have any confidence that a random country has guidance more based on bette for more complete evidence than we do in the uk or elsewhere.

Oh wow. You have a lot of misplaced faith in the Uk and its use of evidence to make guidelines. I mean the NHS still says to wait until 6 months to start feeding babies solids when more recent research shows it should be started earlier to prevent allergies. The UK has only just added the chickenpox vaccine to the schedule after claiming for years that it would increase shingles rates while small countries like mine followed the evidence and acted accordingly. And in regards to exercise recommendations, when I've given you a study that shows that British children are less fit than ones that are encouraged to exercise more are you still going to think UK guidelines are better?

FrozenFebruary · 15/02/2026 17:55

CurlewKate · 15/02/2026 17:00

My children, particularly my dd, absolutely loved doing stuff with her dad. Tell him to take her clothes downstairs the night before so it’ll be quieter.

He already does.

its just the op being anxious that DD is out in the dark running that's stopping her going back to sleep.