To keep my three nephews up all night?

Upfiner · 2026-09-24T20:40:00+00:00

I am having my three nephews over for a sleepover. They’re six, just turned two and five months. The eldest has slept over a few times but not the younger two. Instead of wrestling them into bed I am planning to let them stay up as late as they like. I’ve always done this with the eldest and he loves it and usually falls asleep at about 10:30pm. I’ll obvious have the baby in his crib but I’ve got a huge corner sofa so I’m going to bring the duvets down and we can just have a slumber party downstairs. I told my friend who has two sons and she thinks that this will impact their whole week and their schooling and routine and probably exam results and future careers. I’m not going mad am I? This is fine for one fun evening?

TheBlueKoala · Today 04:14

Namechnages · Today 02:13

Mumsnet used to be fun.

Now it's full of almond crunchy type mums who wouldn't dream of letting their precious children go to bed one minute late, eating pizza or watching a film.

Some people on this thread really need to get the sticks out of their arses.

We have pizza once a week and my teens now stay up late during the week-end. When they were toddlers and they stayed up late occasionally there was hell to pay the day after- OP wouldn't see it because it starts in the afternoon when they're exhausted. But sis doesn't seem to care so probably put them infront of screens all day anyway.

Namechnages · Today 02:13

Mumsnet used to be fun.

Now it's full of almond crunchy type mums who wouldn't dream of letting their precious children go to bed one minute late, eating pizza or watching a film.

Some people on this thread really need to get the sticks out of their arses.

Original poster

Upfiner · Today 01:35

user1476613140 · Yesterday 19:01

I might be old but I am not miserable because I choose to go out during the day to spend time with my DH or friends for lunch to socialise. I prefer my weekend evenings for resting and spending with DH and the DC. I love staying in and watching TV or films etc. Listening to audiobooks by candlelight etc.

Glad I am not the only one🤣

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Do you not have a job?

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Original poster

Upfiner · Today 01:27

Roosthename · Yesterday 15:13

I told my friend who has two sons and she thinks that this will impact their whole week and their schooling and routine and probably exam results and future careers.

Did you exaggerate here @Upfiner ?

Yes, of course. Obviously.

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Original poster

Upfiner · Today 01:26

WouldYouLikeAnyToast · Yesterday 18:55

A Toy Story marathon with chocolate and pizza and staying up and not going to bed until they want to?
Sounds good for the 6 year old as you said he's stayed up before and loved it, so go for it.
A two year old and a few months old one though?
Are you mad?! 😂
They're seriously not going to enjoy that, baby won't give a shit and will just want to sleep. Oh, and good luck getting a two year old to sit and watch Toy Story nicely especially if you're keeping them up until silly o clock. 😁

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Obviously the baby won’t care and will just be with me. Surprised at your thoughts about the two year old. He loves a film and loves being up with his big brother.

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countrylifeorcitylife · Yesterday 19:44

Upfiner · 24/09/2026 21:42

Parents couldn’t care less! They’re just delighted to be having a night child free. They have never issued instructions, they trust me.

This would be my stance. So grateful I’ll deal with the consequences at a later date!

BugJuice · Yesterday 19:09

user1476613140 · Yesterday 19:01

I might be old but I am not miserable because I choose to go out during the day to spend time with my DH or friends for lunch to socialise. I prefer my weekend evenings for resting and spending with DH and the DC. I love staying in and watching TV or films etc. Listening to audiobooks by candlelight etc.

Glad I am not the only one🤣

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It’s also fine for people to like going out in the evenings/overnight with their partners though, while their children are looked after by loving family members. My children love having sleepovers with their granny and aunt, and they love having them.

user1476613140 · Yesterday 19:01

Goinggreymammy · Yesterday 18:48

I hear you. Me too. I waited long enough for my children, I love family weekends. Apparently this stance makes us miserable old hags with joyless lives and relationships on the verge of collapse, if we were to believe some of the posters and responses on this thread.

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I might be old but I am not miserable because I choose to go out during the day to spend time with my DH or friends for lunch to socialise. I prefer my weekend evenings for resting and spending with DH and the DC. I love staying in and watching TV or films etc. Listening to audiobooks by candlelight etc.

Glad I am not the only one🤣

WouldYouLikeAnyToast · Yesterday 18:55

Upfiner · 24/09/2026 21:45

This is what I’ve promised. A Toy Story marathon, lots of chocolate and takeaway pizzas.

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A Toy Story marathon with chocolate and pizza and staying up and not going to bed until they want to?
Sounds good for the 6 year old as you said he's stayed up before and loved it, so go for it.
A two year old and a few months old one though?
Are you mad?! 😂
They're seriously not going to enjoy that, baby won't give a shit and will just want to sleep. Oh, and good luck getting a two year old to sit and watch Toy Story nicely especially if you're keeping them up until silly o clock. 😁

Goinggreymammy · Yesterday 18:48

user1476613140 · 25/09/2026 22:24

Keeping kids up late into the night is done not for the children and their best interests....it's purely for the adults.

The NDNs also farm the 5yo and three older DC off to relatives as well. Obviously very relaxed about it all. Anything as long as they get their long lies on a weekend...then there's others like myself who have sports matches for the DC at weekends. So getting up early doesn't marry with going out and drinking. Getting rat faced is the last thing I am interested in tbh. Would rather have a weekend spent with the DC than farming them all out. Each to their own.

I did all the getting p*shed stuff years ago as a student.
I go out during the school day for lunch or brunch with DH. That's all that I need if I want to do something independent of the DC or need a break.

I hear you. Me too. I waited long enough for my children, I love family weekends. Apparently this stance makes us miserable old hags with joyless lives and relationships on the verge of collapse, if we were to believe some of the posters and responses on this thread.

pelamo · Yesterday 17:50

I was definitely the rebel fun auntie when the niblings were young. If I babysat overnight (and next day usually too), I operated the mad aunt rules and that was that!

Great fun was had by all. They still talk about it and they are in their 30s and 40s now.

One thing I remember is that they wanted to sit in a tent. Not outside me hearties, nope, so I got the sweeping brush, put old sheets on the spare bed and threw an old duvet cover over the brush to make a tent/den. I held the brush in place, oh my arms...

And sweets galore, I had what was known as the "scoff box" and when that came out, well they were wired to the moon! But I loved it.

Discipline and routine are important, don't get me wrong, but everyone wants a break from it, and needs it too.

Parents delighted to get a child free 24 hours. Win win.

Roosthename · Yesterday 17:42

AintNoPunshineWhenShesGone · Yesterday 17:20

Then what's the point of the thread? 😳

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Attention?

CombatBarbie · Yesterday 17:24

Some of the comments 🤣🤣 Ok, so I appreciate some people grew up with only child parents, estranged families.

However, many of us grew up having sleepovers with grandparents, auntys/uncles, cousins etc. We stayed up late (or were tricked into thinking it was 11pm) we had sweets. One of my fave memories was watching Godzilla with my grandparents.....oh and Prisoner Cell Block H 🤣

Thr whole "I wouldn't allow it..." don't whinge later when you had no child free time.

AintNoPunshineWhenShesGone · Yesterday 17:20

Upfiner · 24/09/2026 21:42

Parents couldn’t care less! They’re just delighted to be having a night child free. They have never issued instructions, they trust me.

Then what's the point of the thread? 😳

pilates · Yesterday 17:13

I was thinking the same @Roosthename

I find it hard to believe

Roosthename · Yesterday 15:13

I told my friend who has two sons and she thinks that this will impact their whole week and their schooling and routine and probably exam results and future careers.

Did you exaggerate here @Upfiner ?

BugJuice · Yesterday 14:35

MyEasterBonnet · Yesterday 09:25

No misery here. Just think that purposely not having bedtime routines is neglect.

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For one night? Genuinely have your kids never had a late night? My in laws are Spanish so when we visit them (a few times a year) we tend to switch to their way of life. So for a couple of weeks they’ll be in restaurants at 10pm etc, like their Spanish cousins/the locals. Do you really think that’s neglect?!

Original poster

Upfiner · Yesterday 13:42

Gloriia · Yesterday 12:43

I'm very well thanks. Kids all older now but when they went on sleepovers to friends or family they managed to have a lovely time with treats and then bed. Maybe try it some time.

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They will go to bed… when they’ve fallen asleep. It’s not hard.

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Timeforachange26 · Yesterday 12:50

MyEasterBonnet · Yesterday 09:25

No misery here. Just think that purposely not having bedtime routines is neglect.

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Neglect?? Extreme. Not everyone is obsessed with bedtime routines and bunging kids to bed at teatime.

Gloriia · Yesterday 12:43

Upfiner · Yesterday 09:07

Are you quite well? Need a break from the kids?

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I'm very well thanks. Kids all older now but when they went on sleepovers to friends or family they managed to have a lovely time with treats and then bed. Maybe try it some time.

Original poster

Upfiner · Yesterday 09:27

MyEasterBonnet · Yesterday 09:25

No misery here. Just think that purposely not having bedtime routines is neglect.

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For one night? You must be on the wind up.

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Original poster

Upfiner · Yesterday 09:27

Maisymouse2 · Yesterday 09:22

Perhaps they can have a nap the following day?
A sleep over in your house with no care from parents is a free for all....id send them home earlier than later.
After or during a sleep over kids can be grizzly for afew days...
Enjoy.

Well the two year old and baby have naps anyway. They’ll be picked up late morning.

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MyEasterBonnet · Yesterday 09:25

Upfiner · 25/09/2026 21:27

😂 Good grief, are you okay? You sound miserable as sin. Are you bitter or angry about something and projecting?

The six year old always sleeps up till he wants when he’s here. He’s still going on about when we stayed up till midnight last year. He was actually asleep by 10:30, but the glee and excitement of being allowed to stay up as late as he wanted is still with him. It is fun and a lovely memory for them.

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No misery here. Just think that purposely not having bedtime routines is neglect.

Maisymouse2 · Yesterday 09:22

Perhaps they can have a nap the following day?
A sleep over in your house with no care from parents is a free for all....id send them home earlier than later.
After or during a sleep over kids can be grizzly for afew days...
Enjoy.

Original poster

Upfiner · Yesterday 09:08

Imanautumn · Yesterday 07:31

Wow this thread is insane. How did it go I hope you all had fun.

It’s not until next month, but thank you!

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