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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To leave my 4 yr old and 21 month old playing alone upstairs

9 replies

lecce · 20/04/2011 08:34

For 2 days running now they have done this - yesterday they stayed there for over an hour, today it's been half an hour so far. It just feels odd and I feel a bit guilty and a bit surplas to requirements!

The house is not huge so I can hear them perfectly and there's a stair-gate, meaning they only have access to the two bedrooms and landing - not the bathroom. DS1 is the world's most cautious child - drags his feet on slides to slow himself down etc and ds2 is the complete opposite so may climb but he's been climbing since 11 months and is now very competent. He did go through a stage last summer of being covered in bruises but that's finished now and he's got into toys, rather than being obsessed with climbing.

They sound very happy, I just called up to see if they wanted to come down and ds2 answered "busy playing sky racers!" Is this ok or are they missing out by me not being there to talk about what they're doing, join in etc?

OP posts:
squeakytoy · 20/04/2011 08:36

Its great. Dont knock it! They are not missing out on you supervising at all!!!

SocialButterfly · 20/04/2011 08:38

Its great when they get to the age when you can leave them to amuse themselves, make the most of it!

Although if it gets too quiet then always check on them!! I have gone upstairs to my two dressing up in every piece of clothing I own and an empty wardrobe Grin

SmethwickBelle · 20/04/2011 08:39

In about three months time I will have the same age combination and it would be GREAT if they would play in their bedroom together.

exoticfruits · 20/04/2011 08:42

I used to do it that age-it is lovely. Just check if all goes quiet!

Morloth · 20/04/2011 08:44

Sounds good to me. I sometimes leave DS1 (almost 7) and DS2 (13 months) alone in their room to play now, or they are in the lounge while I am on the back deck or whatever.

I only really go looking if it gets quiet. Quiet is bad is means the baby is concentrating...

Never very far away and the layout of the house means that I am in and out with doing stuff. Outside doors are keylocked if I am not out there so that there is no chance the baby can get near the pool.

jasper1980 · 20/04/2011 08:44

mine are the same age and have been doing this for a few weeks! its great! I check them lots too!....my youngest has just potty trained and now goes on her own upstairs so I am not even needed for that. She is only 22 monthsSad but Grin

Flippingebay · 20/04/2011 08:45

Quietness usually means your make up is being used or pens :o

Morloth · 20/04/2011 08:49

Or the very small hole in the screen door is now a very large hole, with multiple little holes surrounding it...

Or the cassette draws in the stereo are just perfect for storing lots and lots of pegs...

lecce · 20/04/2011 08:50

Glad people think it's ok, I knew it really but I just feel ds2 isn't getting what ds1 got - the constant description of what he was doing etc. But the downside of that was that ds1 didn't really play independently until recently and I guess ds2 is learning from his brother?

Jasper - I'm very Envy about the potty training, ds2 will sit on it fully clothed and loves to see himself weeing when naked but nothing else yet.

I will carry on relaxing then Grin.

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