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Original poster

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

193 replies

moryn · 17/06/2026 14:49

9pm kick off tonight, the first England game of the World Cup.

I have some great memories from the World Cup when I was a child. It’s once every four years…

Should I, or is it ridiculous?

OP posts:
Swissmeringue · 17/06/2026 15:06

We've told DD (8) that she can stay up late. I reckon she'll only make the first half. My dad and brother are at the game (my brother lives in Houston). She's mostly excited about trying to spot them on the TV I think. It's one late night, she can handle it.

Unfortunately this means I also have to sit through the game and I bloody hate football.

PurpleThistle7 · 17/06/2026 15:06

AlertViewer · 17/06/2026 15:00

That wasn't a school night though was it?

Show quote history

No but tomorrow is Friday so just one day to get through. And a 9pm game will end around 11 or so? I would guess the 7 year old might go to bed on their own volition at halftime anyway.

I wouldn't have an issue with this if my child wanted to stay up late - having a wee adventure can be fun!

My kids however hate football so we were all tucked up in bed hours before the game sadly.

AlertViewer · 17/06/2026 15:00

PurpleThistle7 · 17/06/2026 14:58

Loads of Scottish kids watched the game last weekend that started at 2am. Am sure even more will watch the one tomorrow night starting at 11. I would LOVE a 9pm kickoff!

That wasn't a school night though was it?

didntlikeanyofthesuggestions · 17/06/2026 15:00

No chance. I'm teaching my children than 11 millionaires kicking a ball around isn't really worthy of our attention and we'll be reading National Geographic instead. If they really want they can find out the score at school.

AlertViewer · 17/06/2026 14:59

FromTheFirstOldFashionedWeWereCursed · 17/06/2026 14:57

I've said my 12yo can stay up for it (9.30pm is normally lights out for him) and my 6yo can get up early tomorrow and watch the highlights without spoilers before school.

I agree 12 years old is different to a 7 year old.

Eideann · 17/06/2026 14:59

Ofc you should @moryn ⚽😄

Alltheusefulitems · 17/06/2026 14:58

Yes if he wants to. I dont think 1 late night to watch a football match does kids any harm

Sirzy · 17/06/2026 14:58

If it was a final fair enough but not just for a normal game.

AlertViewer · 17/06/2026 14:58

TeeBee · 17/06/2026 14:50

Of course you should.

Why? Its a first group match and not a Semi or Final. 7 year olds need their sleep. He will only be 11 the next time around.

PurpleThistle7 · 17/06/2026 14:58

Loads of Scottish kids watched the game last weekend that started at 2am. Am sure even more will watch the one tomorrow night starting at 11. I would LOVE a 9pm kickoff!

Sesquioxides · 17/06/2026 14:57

I’m not. It’s just too late for mine. I’d do it for the final though.

BipolarBabe34 · 17/06/2026 14:57

I’m letting mine stay up if he wants to.

FromTheFirstOldFashionedWeWereCursed · 17/06/2026 14:57

I've said my 12yo can stay up for it (9.30pm is normally lights out for him) and my 6yo can get up early tomorrow and watch the highlights without spoilers before school.

hahabahbag · 17/06/2026 14:56

if it’s school tomorrow no, record it/watch on catchup in the morning

AlertViewer · 17/06/2026 14:55

moryn · 17/06/2026 14:49

9pm kick off tonight, the first England game of the World Cup.

I have some great memories from the World Cup when I was a child. It’s once every four years…

Should I, or is it ridiculous?

Will you be able to get him up to go to school tomorrow morning or will he be so overtired that you will end up keeing him off 'sick' or send him in and let him fall asleep at his desk? Its only the first group stage match. I'd be more lenient if Engjand get to the Final or even the Semi final.

HJ40 · 17/06/2026 14:53

Mine won’t be. He wouldn’t be able to cope tomorrow. We haven’t even mooted it as an option. He’s really been enjoying waking up to the overnight score this week every morning and filling them in on a wall chart, so we’ll carry on like that.

TeeBee · 17/06/2026 14:50

Of course you should.

Whosthetabbynow · 17/06/2026 14:49

Yes!!! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿