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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:
saltandvinegarpringles · 15/02/2026 17:55

Itsmetheflamingo · 15/02/2026 17:54

They also recommend different portion sizes as above. Ie Japans 10-12 portions are the same size in grams as the UK’s five.

They do - because variety is more important than amounts.

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

Itsmetheflamingo · 15/02/2026 17:54

saltandvinegarpringles · 15/02/2026 17:53

Sure, so why do other countries recommend more than 5 then?

They also recommend different portion sizes as above. Ie Japans 10-12 portions are the same size in grams as the UK’s five.

Itsmetheflamingo · 15/02/2026 17:53

CrazyGoatLady · 15/02/2026 17:51

Oh sweet summer child. You do realise that in order to produce world leading clinical research, you need a world leading healthcare system to conduct it in?!

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

saltandvinegarpringles · 15/02/2026 17:53

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

Sure, so why do other countries recommend more than 5 then?

saltandvinegarpringles · 15/02/2026 17:52

Pinkypoo123 · 15/02/2026 17:51

I think 5am is too early on a school day ,its great she's spending time with him and doing something healthy but I think its too early.

She goes to bed at 7.30 so gets plenty of sleep.

Lots of people are early birds - sounds like she's one of them.

Itsmetheflamingo · 15/02/2026 17:52

saltandvinegarpringles · 15/02/2026 17:51

Except I didn't say anything like that 😂

But NHS advice is not the same as "best advice" - it's advice that needs to be realistic for the majority of the population (in terms of affordability, availability and ability to cook).

I'm also not British.

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.

CrazyGoatLady · 15/02/2026 17:51

Itsmetheflamingo · 15/02/2026 17:48

What’s research got to do with claiming to have a world leading health system? They’re very different things

Oh sweet summer child. You do realise that in order to produce world leading clinical research, you need a world leading healthcare system to conduct it in?!

Pinkypoo123 · 15/02/2026 17:51

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?

I think 5am is too early on a school day ,its great she's spending time with him and doing something healthy but I think its too early.

saltandvinegarpringles · 15/02/2026 17:51

Itsmetheflamingo · 15/02/2026 17:47

This is just a tired old trope. For the last 20
years people have been explaining on the internet to those who churn this out that portion sizes differ by country and the nhs clearly says AT LEAST.

it’s quite a self hating Brit trope EVERYTHING IS BETTER IN ANY OTHER COUNTRY ALL BRITS ARE THICK APART FROM ME and it’s old.

Except I didn't say anything like that 😂

But NHS advice is not the same as "best advice" - it's advice that needs to be realistic for the majority of the population (in terms of affordability, availability and ability to cook).

I'm also not British.

ticklyfeet · 15/02/2026 17:48

sittingonabeach · 15/02/2026 16:12

Need to be mindful of issues like Osgood-Schlatter disease

Totally agree that this should be a consideration. I have suffered from this since I was about 10yrs of age. I have been left with a huge bone spur just under my right kneecap...have never been able to kneel on a hard surface ever since.

Itsmetheflamingo · 15/02/2026 17:48

CrazyGoatLady · 15/02/2026 17:41

The UK does not have a world leading healthcare system. Do not kid yourself.

What’s research got to do with claiming to have a world leading health system? They’re very different things

Itsmetheflamingo · 15/02/2026 17:47

saltandvinegarpringles · 15/02/2026 17:43

UK guidance is aimed at the lowest common denominator - see our guidelines re. fruit and veg which recommend we eat 5 a day when in reality it should be much more.

This is just a tired old trope. For the last 20
years people have been explaining on the internet to those who churn this out that portion sizes differ by country and the nhs clearly says AT LEAST.

it’s quite a self hating Brit trope EVERYTHING IS BETTER IN ANY OTHER COUNTRY ALL BRITS ARE THICK APART FROM ME and it’s old.

saltandvinegarpringles · 15/02/2026 17:43

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.

UK guidance is aimed at the lowest common denominator - see our guidelines re. fruit and veg which recommend we eat 5 a day when in reality it should be much more.

CrazyGoatLady · 15/02/2026 17:41

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.

The UK does not have a world leading healthcare system. Do not kid yourself.

Itsmetheflamingo · 15/02/2026 17:40

Natsku · 15/02/2026 17:37

The size of the country (I assume you mean population size, because the actual size is a fair bit bigger than the UK) doesn't affect the quality of the guidelines, that's for sure!

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.

MargaretThursday · 15/02/2026 17:38

My df used to go at 6/7am on Saturday mornings to play golf in the summer. I used to beg him to take me, and totally loved the time together.
I remember him showing me all sorts of things during that time. Just us. All peaceful.
Beautiful memories.

QuickBlueKoala · 15/02/2026 17:38

Some kids are early birds. mine are up at 5 every morning, we do homework and spellings between 5:30 and 6:30.
Sports in the afternoon/evening for us, as that’s when their training sessions are.
Waking up at 5 is fine, as long as bedtime is accordingly, so I don’t see the problem as long as your daughter enjoys it!

Natsku · 15/02/2026 17:37

Itsmetheflamingo · 15/02/2026 17:34

ah ok. I have to admit I wasn’t even thinking of tiny countries like that 😂

The size of the country (I assume you mean population size, because the actual size is a fair bit bigger than the UK) doesn't affect the quality of the guidelines, that's for sure!

Natsku · 15/02/2026 17:35

saltandvinegarpringles · 15/02/2026 17:34

She's said Finland - no idea where I got Japan from! 😂

Finland, Japan..same difference Grin

saltandvinegarpringles · 15/02/2026 17:35

Calliopespa · 15/02/2026 17:33

I agree. Being well-rested for school is far more important for an 8 year old than pounding the pavements in the dark. I think he is being quite immature about it.

Why is everyone assuming she's not well-rested?

If she's going to bed at 7.30, she's getting 9.5 hours sleep which seems absolutely fine to me.

Itsmetheflamingo · 15/02/2026 17:34

Natsku · 15/02/2026 17:31

Finland. Here's a study on it if you'd like https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9985767/

ah ok. I have to admit I wasn’t even thinking of tiny countries like that 😂

saltandvinegarpringles · 15/02/2026 17:34

Itsmetheflamingo · 15/02/2026 17:32

Google seems to think it’s 60 mins recommendation in Japan so maybe it’s somewhere else or recently changed. Japanese children aren’t known as particularly healthy either tbf

She's said Finland - no idea where I got Japan from! 😂

RawBloomers · 15/02/2026 17:33

If it was waking me up I'd definitely be annoyed by it, OP. But running with your dad sounds like a great activity and one to be accommodated if she likes it and it isn't causing DD issues (like being too tired for school - 5am !&*!?).

The concern about her being awake, or out in the dark with her dad should dissipate. It's not rational and it's not good for DD (or DH, come to that) to have your irrational concerns hold them back from doing things they enjoy. Try some breathing or meditation techniques and keep remining yourself that DH has her.

If the noise is an issue (and it sounds like it may be if she's also waking siblings) maybe try some harder planning around how she gets up and out of the house and let her know her continued participation is contingent on her being a lot quieter.

Calliopespa · 15/02/2026 17:33

BudgetBuster · 15/02/2026 15:52

5am? What time is she in bed?
Personally I think 5am is an insane time to have a child so young out running. Why can't they go in the evening?

I agree. Being well-rested for school is far more important for an 8 year old than pounding the pavements in the dark. I think he is being quite immature about it.

Itsmetheflamingo · 15/02/2026 17:32

saltandvinegarpringles · 15/02/2026 17:23

PP is in Japan, I believe. She's posted loads over the years.

Google seems to think it’s 60 mins recommendation in Japan so maybe it’s somewhere else or recently changed. Japanese children aren’t known as particularly healthy either tbf