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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to get DD (2) up at 4.30am five mornings a week?

101 replies

PuffofSmoke · 13/01/2012 19:10

It's either that or give up work :(

Have been doing it for 4 months now and she doesn't seem to suffer from it. Every bloody day someone (my mum, mil, sil, friends, work colleagues etc) comments about how cruel it is. :(

OP posts:
Kladdkaka · 13/01/2012 19:12

Tell them to come round and mind her then so that you can get to work.

Beamur · 13/01/2012 19:12

Presumably she goes to bed earlier than most 2 yr old?
My Mum used to get me up really early too as she had a cleaning job at a school which was before starting time, so we were probably leaving home before 6am.
I seem to have survived.

KD0706 · 13/01/2012 19:15

What time does she go to bed, OP?

Sirzy · 13/01/2012 19:16

As long as its not causing her a problem during the day and she is getting enough sleep then there isn't a problem IMO. I assume her childcare is near to where you work?

Lexie1970 · 13/01/2012 19:16

To somebody who doesn't do it and wouldn't do it then yes it does seem unreasonable however as she is only 2, presumably still has naps during the day and day is adjusted accordingly probably not a problem.

Now if she was at school that would def be v.v.v.v unreasonable!!

BsshBossh · 13/01/2012 19:17

Are you able to put her to bed early so she gets the sleep she needs? I wouldn't worry too much about it yet. Loads of toddlers are early risers. The issues may arise once she gets a little older.

SmethwickBelle · 13/01/2012 19:19

Babies toddlers and preschoolers are a bit more flexible presumably there are opportunities for her to nap later in the day.

But will you be doing similar when she starts school at 4-5? Then she'll have been up for four hours before school even starts and I'd say then you're putting her at a disadvantage.

Out of curiosity what is the job or is it commuting/shifts that cause the early start?

Original poster
PuffofSmoke · 13/01/2012 19:21

She is the worlds best sleeper, 6pm-7am almost without fail from when she was 6 weeks old until I started back to work. She still goes down at six and has an hour or so after lunch.

She gets dropped at 5am and I start at half five. DH works 3am-11am so he picks her up and they usually have a snooze together then.

I do feel guilty waking her in the morning, especially like today when it was freezing outside.

OP posts:
Original poster
PuffofSmoke · 13/01/2012 19:24

I don't know what will happen when she starts school, I hadn't thought of that. Maybe me or DH will have got sensible jobs by then or died from exhaustion

OP posts:
MrsSleepy · 13/01/2012 19:24

My pre-schooler get's up at 4.30am Just for the sheer hell of it, Then goes on to do a full day at nursery and is still raring to go in the evening, So long as she is getting enough sleep I wouldn't worry too much.

HavePatience · 13/01/2012 19:25

I feel badly that I've had to get my ds (3) up at 6.45 because of work for a couple of years. I get the same comments. If she is doing fine and is able to nap during the day then just ignore the comments. It's hard, I know.

HavePatience · 13/01/2012 19:26

MrsSleepy Shock you poor thing! That is early to be up by choice. I hope you get a lie in sometimes.

abbierhodes · 13/01/2012 19:27

Where are you dropping her at 5? I don't think it's sustainable long term, tbh. Can neither of you change your working hours?

HavePatience · 13/01/2012 19:27

Grin just made the connection between your name and your post Grin
Blush

MrsSleepy · 13/01/2012 19:27

I do at weekends when DH gets up with him, He just seems to not need much sleep, Kind of used to it after nearly 4 years!!

GrownUp2012 · 13/01/2012 19:27

I'd do it if it wasn't affecting her. She is still young and she's able to nap it off.

MrsSleepy · 13/01/2012 19:28

HavePatience It is very suited don't you think!!

MissBetsyTrotwood · 13/01/2012 19:28

Mine have been ready to get up at that time out of choice at various points in their lives so I don't think you are being U.

StealthPolarBear · 13/01/2012 19:30

Plenty of dc get up that early anyway, mine certainly went through a 5am phase. Otoh if she is still asleep any chance you can het her in the caR seat in pjs still asleep? Where do you take her?

Original poster
PuffofSmoke · 13/01/2012 19:34

Moving a sleeping child must be a learned skill - that I certainly haven't mastered yet!

I drop her at a child minders half way between my work and dh's work, so easy for him to collect her too.

No chance of changing shifts, we both work in a business that does all it's business in the AM.

OP posts:
StealthPolarBear · 13/01/2012 19:38

Wow I struggled to one any cm that sttted before 8 or nursery before 7.30!

StealthPolarBear · 13/01/2012 19:39

If you had her in a nightie I'm sure i could even do nappy change without waking her :o

marriedinwhite · 13/01/2012 19:40

Well I'm going to say that if you were someone close to me I would be incredibly proud of you. I would be proud because you are working, I would be proud because you are disciplined, I would be proud because you are doing the best you can for your child, I would be proud because you are determined, because you have stamina, because you care enough for your child that you worry that others might be right.

Your dd will grow up resilient, proud, following the examples set by her parents for love and hard work.

I hope life gets easier soon for you all. I think you sound like fantastic parents.

Sirzy · 13/01/2012 19:41

Thats a very understanding childminder!!

Original poster
PuffofSmoke · 13/01/2012 19:41

Very lucky, was a friend of a friend and she is great. Both DD and her other charge go early and are picked up by lunch time.

OP posts: