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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

10 month old DH said i am being lazy.

806 replies

ILoveFatFaceSocks · 10/04/2026 23:18

When DD (10months) wakes, I change her and then give her milk. I then pop her in her playpen where she happily plays with toys. I then make a coffee and watch some TV - play pen is infront of TV (well TV in on wall, playpen is infront of couch). I sometimes just watch her and occassional look up at TV sometimes I will watch the TV. I enjoy having my morning coffee and she is happy playing. After 30mins / 1hr or so I then take her through to kitchen where I give her actual breakfast, porridge, yoghurt, etc.
DH wfh and when walking past livingroom popped head in to say hi. He looks shocked thst I had a coffee and was lying on sofa watching TV. He asked was mummy having a day off and that the play pen isnt for me watching TV and that im being lazy. I was so annoyed. Is he right?

OP posts:
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1HappyTraveller · 14/04/2026 06:36

LondonPapa · 10/04/2026 23:40

Honestly? You strike me as lazy. But you do you.

Lazy? For having a coffee?

OP’s husband, that you? 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

Frenchtoastie · 13/04/2026 22:25

ILoveFatFaceSocks · 10/04/2026 23:44

I have tried this. I give her toys, she throws them, I have tried lots of sensory items on highchair tray, she gets bored and screams to get out, I sit next to her and show her what I am doing she watches for a little bit of time then cries to get out. I have tried just singing to her whilst I make food, she likes for a little but then gets bored. So putting ms rachel on wasnt my automatic go to but it works and its only when I am making dinner.

I would make an effort to sing to her different songs, give pots and pans to bang or different kitchen items.
have you tried giving a running comentary of what your doing “ooo banana chop chop chop” whilst your cutting a banana ect.
I pull my babies high hair right next to me and involve her in what I’m doing. From the research I have done screen time is quite damaging for children, they thrive from interaction and being involved in our everyday activities, it will bring on her learning and speaking too!! It’s tiring though, but we are all just trying our best aren’t we. Good luck x

Irisrises · 13/04/2026 22:10

Sounds like a balanced day and a nice relaxing start for you both. Keep enjoying your morning coffee. Sounds great

Goinggreymammy · 13/04/2026 21:55

Delighted to hear that news @ILoveFatFaceSocks . Hope you get a few more nights like that.
Also, don't kill yourself trying to come up with the solution to everything because as you have seen with the sleep babies change so much and can totally flip even the best routines and strategies overnight. So next month she might be bored of cruising around the living room and want to be in the high chair. Who knows. Just drink your coffee and get through each day.

ILoveFatFaceSocks · 13/04/2026 09:23

VitsQ · 13/04/2026 09:09

Excellent news @ILoveFatFaceSocks . I hope it continues. Did you sleep ok?

I was expecting an earlier wake up so didnt go to bed until v.late. wont be doing that tonight!!

OP posts:
VitsQ · 13/04/2026 09:09

Excellent news @ILoveFatFaceSocks . I hope it continues. Did you sleep ok?

ILoveFatFaceSocks · 13/04/2026 08:33

She did sleep 830-1015. She woke up being transferred to cot but that only happened once 😊

OP posts:
ILoveFatFaceSocks · 13/04/2026 08:26

Baby slept 1030pm until 530am!!!
Huge win!!

OP posts:
Joeylove88 · 13/04/2026 08:03

So many judgmental comments about TV time! Im sorry but who cares if there is a bit of TV time thrown into the day it can be so full on caring for babies and toddlers and when there's always lots of chores to do and the child has been out for walks, doing lots of activities, playing etc. There is no problem with a bit of educational TV or even a Disney film. Congratulations to everyone who successfully raised children on zero TV time obviously your better than those of us cruel parents exposing children to screens 🙄

WerewolfOfLoudon · 13/04/2026 05:24

pepperminticecream · 12/04/2026 19:21

Just to add to those judging TV time: when my now five year old was 18 months old I was pregnant and had a very difficult pregnancy. My DS ended up watching far too much tv per day because I wasn’t functioning and it made me so guilty. He loved watching number shows, and because of that became obsessed with numbers, maths and science. Now at 5 he is 3 years ahead in maths. His school has had to move him to upper grades for maths and we’ve had to bring in tutors to keep up with him.

When I felt guilty about the tv time my husband would remind me that we both watched hours of tv per day growing up and ended up at the best universities (my DH at the #1 rated university in the world). There is so much judgement in parenthood and in most cases that judgement is unwarranted and just makes life so much harder.

Little Einsteins with a colicky baby prevented my brain from melting out of my ears and he always stopped crying for the theme tune. He could probably still quote some episodes.

motherofakoalaboy · 12/04/2026 21:02

pepperminticecream · 12/04/2026 20:19

Many of our friends have tonies and love them! Currently pregnant with baby #3 and I might get one once she’s here (and a not a newborn haha) and try it out!

It is interesting because nothing that our DC are interested in educationally are things we’ve purposely encouraged (besides a love of books). It’s all been things they’ve gravitated towards with the TV or Yoto and then we try to encourage it by reading them books based on what they’ve shown us they like.

in all honesty you should have a look at the my first tonie sets and the night light. and yes it is funny but does show that tv as long as carefully selected and co-watched can even be beneficial

Xmasallergies · 12/04/2026 20:20

The sleep sounds exhausting no wonder you need some down time in the morning. I have no idea how you get a baby off contact naps, can you lie down next to her and get some sleep then? I think we used to have the big cot right next to the bed at one point. Would that help at all? I had twins and one of them was like this waking all the time. The other slept like a log! It’s exhausting look after yourself. You’re not unreasonable at all.

pepperminticecream · 12/04/2026 20:19

motherofakoalaboy · 12/04/2026 20:08

also so great he is interested in languages it is so good and the earlier the better. i fully plan to let ds have his tonie or yoto (which ever he prefers) when we move him into his own room in a couple of years time in his own room when he goes to sleep

Edited

Many of our friends have tonies and love them! Currently pregnant with baby #3 and I might get one once she’s here (and a not a newborn haha) and try it out!

It is interesting because nothing that our DC are interested in educationally are things we’ve purposely encouraged (besides a love of books). It’s all been things they’ve gravitated towards with the TV or Yoto and then we try to encourage it by reading them books based on what they’ve shown us they like.

motherofakoalaboy · 12/04/2026 20:08

motherofakoalaboy · 12/04/2026 20:05

we had it but at 23 months i think DS was a bit young so swapped to tonie box for now which has been great. he is even starting to have favourites. we have been using the bear night light tonie for wind down (we have the penguin night light too) and he actually took the bear from his shelf when he saw me get the tonie box for the first time tonight which is so great he is starting to get into the night time routine

also so great he is interested in languages it is so good and the earlier the better. i fully plan to let ds have his tonie or yoto (which ever he prefers) when we move him into his own room in a couple of years time in his own room when he goes to sleep

motherofakoalaboy · 12/04/2026 20:05

pepperminticecream · 12/04/2026 19:58

I love that! There are so many wonderful tv shows that can help with learning. It opens up conversation too. DS has been asking a lot of questions about space, planets, etc with how much we’ve been watching about the moon journey this past week.

If you don’t have a Yoto player I highly reccomend. Great audio cards on maths, space, etc. DS started learning Spanish through the cards and it’s what tipped us off that he’d do well in a Spanish immersion school. Also just lovely storybooks, he still loves listening to Winnie the Pooh as he falls asleep.

we had it but at 23 months i think DS was a bit young so swapped to tonie box for now which has been great. he is even starting to have favourites. we have been using the bear night light tonie for wind down (we have the penguin night light too) and he actually took the bear from his shelf when he saw me get the tonie box for the first time tonight which is so great he is starting to get into the night time routine

pepperminticecream · 12/04/2026 19:58

motherofakoalaboy · 12/04/2026 19:33

i do believe that is where DS (23 months) got his obsession for numbers, alphabet, phonics, and quiet recently the order of the planets from. any order and sequence he is hooked so i do try encouraging that with and without the tv

I love that! There are so many wonderful tv shows that can help with learning. It opens up conversation too. DS has been asking a lot of questions about space, planets, etc with how much we’ve been watching about the moon journey this past week.

If you don’t have a Yoto player I highly reccomend. Great audio cards on maths, space, etc. DS started learning Spanish through the cards and it’s what tipped us off that he’d do well in a Spanish immersion school. Also just lovely storybooks, he still loves listening to Winnie the Pooh as he falls asleep.

motherofakoalaboy · 12/04/2026 19:33

pepperminticecream · 12/04/2026 19:21

Just to add to those judging TV time: when my now five year old was 18 months old I was pregnant and had a very difficult pregnancy. My DS ended up watching far too much tv per day because I wasn’t functioning and it made me so guilty. He loved watching number shows, and because of that became obsessed with numbers, maths and science. Now at 5 he is 3 years ahead in maths. His school has had to move him to upper grades for maths and we’ve had to bring in tutors to keep up with him.

When I felt guilty about the tv time my husband would remind me that we both watched hours of tv per day growing up and ended up at the best universities (my DH at the #1 rated university in the world). There is so much judgement in parenthood and in most cases that judgement is unwarranted and just makes life so much harder.

i do believe that is where DS (23 months) got his obsession for numbers, alphabet, phonics, and quiet recently the order of the planets from. any order and sequence he is hooked so i do try encouraging that with and without the tv

pepperminticecream · 12/04/2026 19:21

ILoveFatFaceSocks · 12/04/2026 10:09

This a joke?
Share the list and we will be the judge if its any useful to us "english" folk.
Unless this strict list doesnt exist ?

Just to add to those judging TV time: when my now five year old was 18 months old I was pregnant and had a very difficult pregnancy. My DS ended up watching far too much tv per day because I wasn’t functioning and it made me so guilty. He loved watching number shows, and because of that became obsessed with numbers, maths and science. Now at 5 he is 3 years ahead in maths. His school has had to move him to upper grades for maths and we’ve had to bring in tutors to keep up with him.

When I felt guilty about the tv time my husband would remind me that we both watched hours of tv per day growing up and ended up at the best universities (my DH at the #1 rated university in the world). There is so much judgement in parenthood and in most cases that judgement is unwarranted and just makes life so much harder.

Anyahyacinth · 12/04/2026 18:58

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1EQYkJqMMv/

Thought of you OP ☕️

VioletsAreBlue33934 · 12/04/2026 18:32

ILoveFatFaceSocks · 11/04/2026 01:12

I LOVE supermarket trips. She is fascinated by everything and everyone and she gets loads of attention. She has learnt waving so loves waving at everyone. But it has to be in a trolley with a kids seat. She hates being in her pram unless its nap time which is fine but sometimes I'm not out during nap times. Before anyone says... yes its the same with baby carrier! I think she doesnt like being restrained and hence the screaming with highchair. So to everyone, what's your opinion on that?! 😊 She used to love being out in her pram. She hates being in pram, highchair since she started crawling. But will always nap no matter what time in the car seat. Funny that😂

Trike. I bought one for my son around 11 months for the same reason. They can see a lot more from a trike than a pram and they're less restricted generally. He's almost 2 and still really loves it.

Cotton55 · 12/04/2026 18:15

ILoveFatFaceSocks · 11/04/2026 11:56

Getting fed up saying playpen is big. Its takes up nearly whole room. Its crazy that people are telling me how shit I am for allowing screen time but then recommending walkers. Make it make sense!! So basically if livingroom didnt have play pen she would be crawling around same space but not in playpen and be around more risks.

First of all, there are big playpens and there are absolutely huge ones which are around the size of a sitting room. Obviously, when you said yours was big I wasn't visualising one that takes up almost your whole room as you say, so I apologise for assuming it was a normal big one. Also, I wasn't recommending walkers. Personally I think they're very unsafe and there have been numerous cases to prove so. What I was suggesting was a walker WITHOUT wheels. Not sure what they're actually called. They are safe as they are grounded by weight so won't topple over. I suggested it as a way to provide variety along with a playpen. So when you say 'make it make sense', I believe it did. And I have no issue with some screen time for toddlers. When I was on maternity leave, I often sat in front of the TV watching something with my coffee or lunch as my toddler sometimes ate at different times to me. You asked was your dh unreasonable to be commenting on you spending up to an hour watching TV first thing in the morning, and I gave my opinion saying this would annoy me too if I was him. If you're not happy with differing opinions to your own, don't ask people for theirs.

Catlady880 · 12/04/2026 15:40

I’m confused. Aren’t toys meant to be played with and there to entertain our children? I have a 6 month old so a few months behind you, but this is literally what we do. He plays on his mat while I watch tv with a coffee for a bit. He lets me know if he’s not happy and I grab him. There’s only so much of the day reading, walking and play groups takes up.

My baby is learning to roll and I was in the floor with him trying everything and ChatGPT told me I was being overly involved and just to let him play, I took a step back and now he is so close!

motherofakoalaboy · 12/04/2026 14:54

please don’t feel like you can’t use the screen if it is what is needed to keep DD entertained. for me personally the penny dropped when i realised that watching the black and white sensory video for babies is no different to the black and white sensory cards as i was still engaging in the same way “can you see the bird” “what a lovely red bird” “how many strawberries can you see. 1. 2. 3.” etc it meant that after the c section i had i was not forever sleep deprived trying to rescue cards from under the sofa, between the sofa etc. the issue is not the screen but a uninvolved parent which is definitely not you.

RG89 · 12/04/2026 14:08

ILoveFatFaceSocks · 12/04/2026 13:57

I think this thread has taken a turn 😂😂

True 😂 I haven't even replied properly to your question that you are definitely not unreasonable needing that hour to set you up for the day! Or for given her a little bit of supervised screen time so you can safely cook dinner! Some of the responses you've had are madness! My son is 10 now and a bit of TV time when he was little hasn't caused him any issues, he loves being outdoors and can play independently well too!

ScottChegg · 12/04/2026 14:06

This thread is so nuts its just about persuaded me that my time on Mumsnet is done. I know nobody cares about that and nor do I expect them to.

Good luck @ILoveFatFaceSocks it will all come right in the end, although that doesn't help you now. My terrible sleeper is now 28 and I never solved it, only time did.