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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to refuse a Year 9 staying up for the 1am match?

710 replies

BlackTulipss · 05/07/2026 07:58

Is this unreasonable?
Apparently "every other mum" is letting their school year 9 kid watch the 1am match tonight and phone in sick to school tomorrow morning then go in at lunch.
I've said no to staying up to watch it. Starts at 1am, it will go on till 3:30am, or later if extra time!
DS has to get up at 6:30 for school.
DH says let him, keeps going on about once every 4 years experience, it's only 1 night, etc. And he says it will be the final England match - they'll be knocked out by Mexico tonight so there will be no other England games to watch after tonight.
DS badly needs his sleep and at 14 he still needs a solid 11 hours to function.
Is anyone else letting their DC watch it live tonight?
AIBU?

OP posts:
Probablylate21 · 05/07/2026 08:05

For a year 9 I would. One day of tiredness won’t kill them. It’s a special occasion

thejelliclecats · 05/07/2026 08:05

Of course you let him watch it.

MantleStatue · 05/07/2026 08:04

I think football and the hype around it is ridiculous, but I'd let him stay up. It's a pretty special event and I think most of his peers WILL be staying up too. (Or at least getting up).

Dh recalls his dad waking him for the moon landing. I recall my dad waking me for when Australia II won the America's cup and we all woke up for the Artemis mission. It's these sorts of things that make memories and are special/

MyGlassMenagerie · 05/07/2026 08:04

He’s 14, not 4. One night of disrupted sleep isn’t going to kill him.

Lexibletheflexible · 05/07/2026 08:03

I honestly don't understand any parent who would try and be a barrier here. It just feels mean and controlling. "I could take this away because you are a child so I will.".

Mydogisagentleman · 05/07/2026 08:03

Get up earlier and watch it on catch up
Early night tomorrow

UniquePinkSwan · 05/07/2026 08:01

Let him. It’s once every 4 years ffs

PrizedPickledPopcorn · 05/07/2026 08:01

I’d let him stay up. I’d consider making him go in to school anyway.
I mean, I won’t be staying up. I have no interest. But if his dad’s up and he wants to be, I would let him.

youalright · 05/07/2026 08:00

Go to bed early wake up for the match then back to bed for a few hours then off to school

Lexibletheflexible · 05/07/2026 07:59

Let the kid stay up and go to school normal time. Nap in the day.