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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think that a 6yo should not watch TV till midnight

34 replies

gabid · 03/08/2011 23:47

DS's friend's dad told me today that his DS (6) watches TV until midnight, that he sits there quietly and that he doesn't really get tired. I was amazed and assumed it was just during school holidays.

My DS (6) goes to bed at 7.30 ish and when he stays up later he will get up at 6am either way and be a pain in the butt the next day, besides I wouldn't let DS sit in front of the box for that long anyway.

What do you do?

OP posts:
squeakytoy · 04/08/2011 00:00

I wouldnt allow a child that age to watch tv until that time. God knows what sort of stuff he is watching too. :(

snippywoo2 · 04/08/2011 00:05

judging by what I'm watching tonight crap all on nothing much lol

midlandsmumof4 · 04/08/2011 00:10

Agree with snippy Grin. Thtat's late for me let alone a 6 year old. (trots off up the wooden stairs to BEDfordshire).lol

snippywoo2 · 04/08/2011 00:10

I'm assuming as his dads watching with him it will be age appropriate ie cartoon network Disney channel etc

snippywoo2 · 04/08/2011 00:21

What do you do?

Nothing, unless your worried hes not looking after his son properly. Maybe he told you this because hes not sure what he should be doing to change it, is he a single parent?

FreudianSlipper · 04/08/2011 00:26

no of course it is not ideal, maybe it is just at weekends not all children will sleep early

ds will stay up very late at times but will sleep in (he is 3) though i would not allow him to watch tv, maybe a dvd to try and relax him if he is still running about. they could be watching cartoons

midlandsmumof4 · 04/08/2011 00:27

Snippy-does it matter if it's Disney? He's six and should be in bed. Shock.

Original poster
gabid · 04/08/2011 20:03

No, he is not a single dad, they have 4 DCs including a baby and a 2yo. I need my DC in bed by 7.30 for my own sanity. I wouldn't allow him to watch that much telly anyway and my DS would talk and ask questions constantly (that's good though I think), but I just need my own space in the evening.

I know the 6yo has a TV in his room so he might be watching DVDs there.

OP posts:
forehead · 04/08/2011 20:06

No six year old should have a tv in their roon. In fact no child should hsve a tv in their room.

Original poster
gabid · 04/08/2011 20:10

They are a nice family, but I know there are no limits on watching TV they don't see it as a problem. I think TV is used as a babysitter, keeps them quiet.

OP posts:
K999 · 04/08/2011 20:12

Anything for an easy life always gets my vote Grin

Original poster
gabid · 04/08/2011 20:14

forehead - I agree, many have though but what can you do. I won't discuss it with mum or dad who are casual aquaintences as DSs are friends.

OP posts:
janelikesjam · 04/08/2011 20:15

Um,,,, I am a single parent, my 6 year old went to bed at about 7 p.m. most nights. Its common sense.

It is highly irresponsible to have a 6 year old stay up to midnight watching TV, apart from anything else there is quite a bit of sex and violence on later on which is COMPLETELY inappropriate for a 6 year old. He is obviously a very stupid parent. I would smile at him I suppose but thats what I;d be thinking inside (and I'd be right).

Original poster
gabid · 04/08/2011 20:22

The dad did say DS watched TV, maybe he meant DVDs, I am not sure, but apart from the fact that most of it is inappropriate, my 6yo DS wouldn't understand it and it would it hold his attention.

OP posts:
K999 · 04/08/2011 20:46

Maybe they let him watch TV/DVDs so that they can see to the other kids?? Having 4 DCs must be pretty hard work. I only have 2 and thats enough for me.

FabbyChic · 04/08/2011 20:50

Whilst my children had a TV in their room from birth it was never used as a babysitter, they did watch DVD's to get to sleep at the age of 6, but they never went to sleep at 7.30, I used to send them to their rooms at 8 and they would stay there and go to sleep when tired. My kids are now 23 and 18.

Different things for different people, some don't allow TV some do, there is no right or wrong way to parent.

From the way my children have grown up I know that I done it the right way with everything I done.

Parents have to make their own choices.

I can't see a 6 year old staying awake watching TV to be honest, it would make them tired.

Birdsgottafly · 04/08/2011 21:00

Is the child tired? that would be the answer to wether it was right or wrong.

My eldest wasn't diagnosed with dyslexia and ADHD, until 11. It was obvious from around 6/7 that she was 'different', she never slept, literaly. She used to sleep for around 4 hours straight. As an adult now she can stay up for 48 hours, she could get away with sleeping for 4 nights a week. She uses this to her advantage now by working long shifts, but whilst growing up it was a nightmare.

I know of other DC's who don't have a diagnosis but don't need much sleep, there are exceptions.

Original poster
gabid · 04/08/2011 21:08

Dad said he doesn't get tired, I am quite sure he doesn't stay up that late during term time, but he has to be woken up every morning. I never wake my DS and still I sometimes feel he doesn't get enough sleep.

OP posts:
festi · 04/08/2011 21:12

why assume he is a single parent though? im a single parenmt my dd goes to bed at 7.30 she is usually looking at books, singing, arranging her cuddly toys untill about 9.30, some times 11. other times she is in bed and asleep before 7.30pm. my neice stays up watching tv with her mum when her dad is at work untill very late, when her dad is home he puts her to bed at 6.30pm.

Why do people assume or question single parents, particularly fathers have not got a clue how to parent.

Laquitar · 04/08/2011 22:33

If it is only on holdays and not term time then what is the big deal?

Many families arrange life around odd work shifts.

Also Spanish and Italian children are not in bed by 7 pm and don't turn into murderers.

Birdsgottafly · 05/08/2011 14:13

Op if he doesn't stay up that late in term time, then what is the problem.

I have always worked shifts including nights, not everyones life follows a mon-fri 9-5 day, or their body clock, as long as DC's go to school, awake enough to learn, obviously, it doesn't matter.

bruffin · 05/08/2011 14:26

Every child is different at 6 my DD would still be awake at 12 (shock) up in her room without a tv, but always slept in to make up her sleep, which could be a pain getting her up for school.

DS on the other hand never ever slept in until he hit his teens and had problems making up lost sleep if he had a late night.

Original poster
gabid · 05/08/2011 20:59

Birdsgottafly - I thought the TV was the problem, sitting quietly in fornt of the TV for hours.

Today, DS asked to take that friend to the park to see a play (for smaller children) and mum was concerned that she doesn't think that he will sit through a play!? He did, mostly but I don't think he followed the story.

OP posts:
Birdsgottafly · 06/08/2011 23:34

That might be a worry then, you need to encourage DC's to concentrate.

You do lose the ability to concentrate, listen and pay attention, if you don't do it regulary. But then again, he may do enough in school.

There is little that you can do about other peoples parenting and cannot comment unless you are sure of what you are saying.

snippywoo2 · 06/08/2011 23:52

why assume he is a single parent though?

I asked if he was a single parent (and therefore had no one else to help him) only because op said he mentioned it to them, so assumed he was on his own and wanted their opinion nothing against single parents as I'm one myself.