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

I'm just supporting the OP! What on earth are you talking about tracking kids? Anyway I'm off to bed. Hopefully in the morning all this nonsense will be over.

Can I just find out if he’s watching it or not?

It's a bit of a joke. But some people are acting like their kids will be permanently damaged if they don't stay up. I've never meet anyone who hates their parents cause they weren't allowed to stay up to watch England lose to Brazil in 2002.

Do you understand the concept of freedom of choice? You can stick to your ice cream and tracking your kids until they are 60

for lots of people, male and female, the World Cup is a big deal

stay in your own lane

You’re missing the point that he is not that age now. Just like an 10 year old is not a 14 year old.

And even if he were 18, he’d have to weigh up the pros and cons given whatever life he has then. He might have a job where it mattered to not be tired, or matter if he did not turn up the next morning.

He also aged 18 might be taking drugs to stay up or tge next day.

Actually, if nothing important is happening at school or another activity this week it wouldn’t matter. If he does have something important coming up though, imo no sleep for a night might have a knock on effect.

Is this a joke? I seriously hope it is.

My year 9 has gone to bed and is getting up to watch then hopefully going back to sleep again. He’s just realised he also has some English homework he’d forgotten about, so he says he’s doing that in the morning as well 😬.

I just remembered, a similar thing I did was getting up to watch the 100m final at the Seoul Olympics in 88. I was mad about that sort of thing, still am. A particularly memorable year in light of the drama of that race. I was the same age, 14.

We’re letting my nearly 9 year old do the same. We also have a 17 year old whom we can’t stop obviously, he’s nearly an adult and he’s finished his exams, so the younger one is going to hear enough to wake him up anyway. I or DH will get up first to check whether it’s delayed for storms, then wake them up as and when. A bit of me thinks we must be a bit crazy, but actually it will probably be fine.

Just like the cool mums let their kids practice drinking and smoking!

You’re missing the point. He’ll be 18 in a few years and will be an adult in control of his own life.

This will be good practice for him.

Actually university term would have ended anyway so it would not matter at all.

Let’s say instead that he’ll be at work in 3-4 years when he’s 18. Then it would be his choice whether to stay up and turn up tired to work, or call in sick. Have to hope he doesn’t drive that day though as no sleep makes someone as safe as a drunk.

Cannot get over how ridiculous it is in the UK about about school time at the end of a school year. The World Cup is every few years and think of the excitement and memories for kids. If it was Ireland we’d have all the kids up!!

I’d let him. It’s one night, he’ll be tired next day but so will lots of his classmates. They’ll manage.

Surely a 14 year old can cope with being a bit tired at school and just have an early night on Monday? It’s good practise for the working world/university when you need a bit of resilience and can’t just ring in sick whenever you’re a bit tired.

i would let him watch. It’s a big match, and it’s fun to do things a bit out of the ordinary!

Maybe it's just time to stop attaching so much importance to a bunch of grown men getting paid ridiculous amounts of money to kick a ball around a field.

Calm down! It's only millionaires kicking a ball. The world will still be turning tomorrow.

He could be Year 9 and nearly 15? Uni could be only 3 years away!

Stop being so controlling! Let me him
watch it

We let our kids who are younger stay up for the Scotland games (after a nap, we woke them up) but we knew we would be out soon and also it’s not like we will be in the World Cup for a while. Idk if I would have let them stay up to watch England. DS tried to pull a late night saying “but mummy you’re from England”… like nice try pal, you’re not though.

Maybe put him to bed then wake him up? Btw ours fell asleep and got carried to bed before half time for Brazil so you might get lucky.

EDIT: oh, he’s year 9? Let him stay up. He’s old enough to deal with the consequences.

Seriously?! You really don't get it do you and I can't help hoping you don't have any children! 🙄

It is 4-7 years away before he’ll be in university/independent!

This week does he have an exam? Any important school assignments?

I thought a PP had a very good idea about DS getting up extra early and watching it on catch - up, before school.

Absolutely not the same!! 🙄

I read it as age 9 and i still thought you were unreasonable!! Stop letting shit rules rule your life and your kids lives..fs a kid age 14?? Damn right he can stay up and watch the game.. life is life.. he'll always remember staying up to watch that game.. otherwise he'll remember you being the reason he couldn't watch it win or lose.

Life’s too short, let him stay up, nearly the school holidays anyway.

I'd tell him he goes to bed at the usual time. He can set an alarm and watch the match on his own if he wants but he has to get up and go to school as usual. You are not controlling op, you are trying to be a good parent.

What are you going to do when they leave for university and start living on their own?! Phone them up and ask them if they’re tucked up in bed at 8pm?

A 14 year old isn’t that far off and should be being taught to take personal responsibility.