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AIBU?

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Original poster

To keep my three nephews up all night?

360 replies

Upfiner · 24/09/2026 21:40

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?

OP posts:
IHopeYouStepOnALegPiece · 24/09/2026 22:06

Boreded · 24/09/2026 22:05

Come on…the babies need to go to bed at a reasonable time. Stop trying to be the fun auntie and be reasonable, and ask their parents not the internet.

Put the babies to bed and let the eldest stay up a bit maybe, but only if their parents agree.

Oh good grief 🙄

LoserWinner · 24/09/2026 22:05

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Don’t be silly! I used to do this occasionally with my own kids. In practice, they fell asleep only a bit later than their normal bedtime, but were left with a delicious memory of a fun family time. It had little impact on their behaviour the following day, and absolutely no long term ill effects.

Boreded · 24/09/2026 22:05

Come on…the babies need to go to bed at a reasonable time. Stop trying to be the fun auntie and be reasonable, and ask their parents not the internet.

Put the babies to bed and let the eldest stay up a bit maybe, but only if their parents agree.

Original poster
Upfiner · 24/09/2026 22:03

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How is an aunt watching Toy Story with pizza and chocolate with her three nephews such a weird thing to you? Seems quite sad.

OP posts:
IHopeYouStepOnALegPiece · 24/09/2026 22:03

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Why would it be made up? What part of this is outside the realms of possibility or your boring as fuck attitude

amraa · 24/09/2026 22:02

Trust me you’ll be fine. Some of the ppl in the comments are just weird. I allow my kids to stay up late on very odd occasions, they have never given me any bother the next day, they haven’t woken up cranky or overtired. I’m sure the two and 6 year old will find the sleepover fun and talk about it for weeks! The baby will naturally fall asleep as they are only 5 months old.

Original poster
Upfiner · 24/09/2026 22:01

Catza · 24/09/2026 21:51

You can't be serious...
Leaving their kids with an aunt who plans on treats and TV time? Take those kids into foster care immediately!!

Show quote history

I also once gave the eldest a chocolate yoghurt for breakfast. I tried to give him eggs and soldiers but he swore blind his mother gave him chocolate for breakfast, so who was I to argue?

Might ring SS myself.

OP posts:
IHopeYouStepOnALegPiece · 24/09/2026 22:01

There is absolutely nothing wrong with this 😂If I'm on godchildren duty then we do this....I've even done it when nannying overnight which would horrify a bunch of you 😂

Catza · 24/09/2026 22:01

Parents are OK with this, you are OK with this, kids will either have a lot of fun or have an absolute meltdown. I'd say crack on.

WaterlooHowDoesItFeel · 24/09/2026 22:01

Personally, you sound like a fabulous Aunty. My daughter would love you, she's 8 and has had a few late nights at weekends due to holidays, theatre trips, or weddings. She's always been fine the next day.

Shittyyear2025 · 24/09/2026 22:01

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Oh behave.

One night of pizza and TV crashing on the sofa won't do any harm at all. Sure they might be a bit mardy the next day but op will had them back to their parents who will be re-energised after a night away from the kids and grateful for the break.

The bar for ss interest never mind involvement is miles lower than this.

suki1964 · 24/09/2026 22:00

Upfiner · 24/09/2026 21:44

The baby won’t know what’s going on. The two year old will be excited and want to be with his brother. I can’t see any point in wrestling him into bed when he can just stay up till he falls on the sofa.

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Could do what we did, put the 2 year to bed, and sibling got into bed as well ( they share here ) and when 2 yo fell asleep the sibling snuck out ?

This has worked for us ( as grandparents ) every time . First grandchild, grandad " went to bed " as well

I find life so much easier getting the toddler to bed at 7:30/8 and letting the older child have an extra hour , then cope with tired stroppy kids and a baby in the morning

GardenCovent · 24/09/2026 21:59

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Is this a genuine post?

Catza · 24/09/2026 21:59

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I wasn't concerned about that. You were the one posting a deranged comment. At this point, I am just going to give you the benefit of a doubt and assume you've had a large glass of wine before commenting.

Mrschickenlady · 24/09/2026 21:59

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Why do you think it's made up?

If I was going to make up something I'd personally make up something much more interesting like 'I just won Euromillions AMA' or 'both Chris Hemsworth and Ryan Gosling keep calling me and begging me to go on a date AIBU'

Original poster
Upfiner · 24/09/2026 21:58

BeardySchnauzer · 24/09/2026 21:50

Have you looked after a 5 month old before?

I can see this would be fine for the oldest but I think the 2 yo might spoil things for him by getting bored and cranky. And who knows with the 5 month old as they can all be different but is the baby sleeping through anyway?

He’s my third nephew so I think it’s fair to say I’ve looked after five month old before.

The two year old can potter on with his toys if he likes. He’ll fall asleep earlyish anyway.

OP posts:
itstoolateforsnacks · 24/09/2026 21:58

I wouldn’t thank you for this, as overtired cranky kiddos aren’t fun. But if it’s what I had to do to get a night out then I’d force myself to.

Mathair2 · 24/09/2026 21:58

CaptainCalm · 24/09/2026 21:56

I think you might be overestimating the stamina of a 2yr old. The chances of my 2yr olds staying up late, watching a whole film (no way this would have happened) whilst eating lots of chocolate and it not ending in tears were slim.

Hopefully he’ll fall asleep at a reasonable time and you can have a nice cuddle with the 6yr old before a little bit late but not next day ruining bedtime.

Bedtime doesn’t have to be awful, you use the word ‘wrestle’ but it can be a nice time to wind down and connect, it doesn’t have to be negative. Your evening sounds fun, if it works, but equally there are other ways to be the cool aunty

Love this advice!

Bellesbest · 24/09/2026 21:57

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CaptainCalm · 24/09/2026 21:56

I think you might be overestimating the stamina of a 2yr old. The chances of my 2yr olds staying up late, watching a whole film (no way this would have happened) whilst eating lots of chocolate and it not ending in tears were slim.

Hopefully he’ll fall asleep at a reasonable time and you can have a nice cuddle with the 6yr old before a little bit late but not next day ruining bedtime.

Bedtime doesn’t have to be awful, you use the word ‘wrestle’ but it can be a nice time to wind down and connect, it doesn’t have to be negative. Your evening sounds fun, if it works, but equally there are other ways to be the cool aunty

Original poster
Upfiner · 24/09/2026 21:56

Pinkflamingo10 · 24/09/2026 21:49

You sound like such a fab fun aunty !
would you like to have my three small boys too ?!! Thanks

Any time!

OP posts:
Catza · 24/09/2026 21:55

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Yeah, that was not the part of your comment I was referring to. But nice try to cover up!

Original poster
Upfiner · 24/09/2026 21:55

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Because I’m going to watch Toy Story with my nephews? Are you okay?

OP posts:
PeonyPanda · 24/09/2026 21:54

Bedtime is gorgeous at that age ? Bath, stories and favourite books, lights out. I’d hate to have overtired children trying to stay awake. But we all do things differently. If parents happy and you’re happy, then all good ?

Original poster
Upfiner · 24/09/2026 21:54

WallaceinAnderland · 24/09/2026 21:47

You can't let the two year old sleep all night on the sofa. It's a suffocation risk.

I’ll carry them all up to bed when I go up.

OP posts: