To let my 7 year old stay up to watch the England game?

They’re not back-to-back though, maybe try unclenching?

It would be snarky to suggest that any halfway decent school would have have been all over this as a once in a 4 year chance to engage the whole school in something approaching a shared event ? That would mean some careful tweaking of lessons, advice to parents and some gentle guidance to staff on dealing with the aftermath ?

However this thread suggests that may not be the case. Which may explain a lot about our education system and it's uses.

My husband wasn't allowed to stay up to watch the Moon Landing in 1969. He was 8. I was very surprised when he told me this - it was such an incredible moment in human history, unprecedented, and his parents would not give way. No leeway at all.

I don't really know why you'd need to ask permission for this! It's your child; only you know whether he'll be OK having a late night.

Personally, I think most kids (and indeed adults) should get acclimatised to surviving a late night now and again without collapsing from a failure to cope the following day. It doesn't kill anyone to be a bit tired for one day and while routine is good, it doesn't help kids to make them incapable of adaptation and flexibility.

I have very happy memories of being allowed to stay up for specific sporting events that we watched as a family when I was a child - World Cup / UEFA football matches, the Olympics etc. I remember thinking it was the most exciting thing in the world in 1984 when we stayed up late to watch the track and field events in the LA Olympics and ate cheese and biscuits.

I'm not happy about it (I will be the parent dealing with the fall out in the morning) but both my DS's (10 & 7) will be staying up to watch the match. They are both football crazy boys and these are memories they will remember at the ages they are now so I can't take that from them. Good luck to School tomorrow is all I can say 😖

If we don't let our 7 DS watch it, he will only stay awake on purpose and keep up / down the stairs! 100% worth it. Routine is great, but family moments are greater

I thought that… so hard to tell these days 🤣

Can we at least agree that it definitely FEELS like it should be Thursday already this week though?

My 7yo will be up for it! Not sure will make it to the end but let’s see!

No it's absolutely fine. It's a treat, for a lovely occasion which most of the country should be getting behind, even if you don't like football.

Of course you should! Most seven year olds should be able to have an isolated late night without it affecting them too badly the next day. I was always allowed to stay up late for special events like the World Cup as a child.

I used to be quite uptight about bedtimes when mine were small but I did relax on certain occasions ... football, snow, parties, holidays. They have lovely memories now they're adults.

Probably will let my 7 year old if she wants to. It’s been quite fun seeing her enthused by some of the other matches and some of the olympics earlier in the year.

Is this a wind up?

There’s are too many permutations for me to follow them all, but if England win the group, the subsequent match is at 2.30am!! Might have to rethink letting him stay up for the knock outs 😲. At least the semis and final are all 8pm. Let’s cross our fingers 🤞

I'll be letting my 8 year watch the first half at least, no school to worry about but we'll be up early for travelling. But we're in a travelodge so he can watch in bed and fall asleep while watching.

No not technically one night but if the OPs 7 yo is a nightmare to get up in the morning, struggles to get through tomorrow without being an overtired mess she can re evaluate the other 2 games and make a different decision

Well he can be warned that any ratty behaviour, including any reported at school, will mean he doesn't get to stay up late again.

He can go to bed straight after tea tomorrow.

Mamdani has the personality to get away with that, imagine if Starmer did it!!!!

If he doesn't stay up and then goes into school where the majority will have watched it and be sleepy he won't thank you! Routines should allow for a bit of flexibility, it really does no harm!

I’d let him stay up. What on earth is he learning at school at 7 that is that important. It’s a lovely thing for kids to be part of. He’ll be fine.

You have to ask, if a once in a 4 year period isn't an excuse for a little late bedtime, then wtf is ?

Thanks for that lovely story.

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/jun/02/zohran-mamdani-bedtimes-new-york-knicks-nba-finals

I think Scottish parents would happily swap! The 9pm games will be over before midnight, that's not terribly late for a one-off.

Super kid dependent though - my daughter is autistic so didn't cope well with disruption at that age. My son has never needed much sleep so wouldn't be bothered by a late one.

Phew, I was feeling quite mean there initially as the pp had both said yes! My thinking is that he’s only 7. He’ll only be 11 at the next one, so stick young enough to be excited.

More importantly, it’s only a group stage match. They won’t lose if they go out. As the tournament progress and we get closer to the end of term (if England are still in it, of course!) then I think we’d certainly let him stay up.

If he falls asleep at his desk I would bet he wouldn't be the only one, most schools will be anticipating sleepiness associated with the match and be ready to make adjustments!

No not technically one night but if the OPs 7 yo is a nightmare to get up in the morning, struggles to get through tomorrow without being an overtired mess she can re evaluate the other 2 games and make a different decision

We let ours wake up to watch Scotland and they’re 5/6. They can watch them till we get knocked out. Also their grandad is there so they’re very excited to see if they can see him on the telly (doubt it, but still). We put them to bed and then wake them up to watch then back to bed. They’re a bit cranky in the mornings but it’s not like Scotland will make the final or anything so let them enjoy it while it lasts. DD asked if she could watch them at the pub 😭 that one was a hard no.