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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to think 3yrs old is too young to get up themselves, down stairs, turn on telly while parent still in bed

112 replies

scuzy · 24/04/2012 11:34

and have no idea how long they are up when parent gets up? child is quite mature and always safe (so far) but it doesnt sit right with me? or should i feck off and mind my own business.

OP posts:
ABatInBunkFive · 24/04/2012 11:34

mind your own

letseatgrandma · 24/04/2012 11:35

We did this! Is it that wrong?

peanutbutter38 · 24/04/2012 11:37

my eldest two did this and they're now 12 and 9 and fine.
What exactly are you worried about?

scuzy · 24/04/2012 11:37

point taken. not saying its wrong just thought it was a bit young to allow thats all.

OP posts:
WorraLiberty · 24/04/2012 11:37

I've known lots of people do that

It's certainly not something I could do as I wouldn't be able to relax

But what other's do with their kids is up to them.

BettySwollocksandaCrustyRack · 24/04/2012 11:37

I am sure we did this - cant remember if he was 3 or may be a bit older but whats the problem? Wind your neck in!

Sirzy · 24/04/2012 11:38

Not something I can see me doing with Ds any time in the next few years but I am an early riser and he is a whirlwind!

JeanBodel · 24/04/2012 11:38

We do this every Sunday morning. It is bliss.

Exactly what could go wrong?

scuzy · 24/04/2012 11:38

i guess peanutbutter if they got hurt or at something they shouldnt be ... i know am a worrier and see potential accidents in everything guess i need to relax more.

OP posts:
Kladdkaka · 24/04/2012 11:39

We did this as kids and helped ourselved to cornflakes. It was great. A handful of cornflakes and half a bowl of sugar. :o

sparkle12mar08 · 24/04/2012 11:39

Perfectly normal especially if 3 is actually rising 4. Hell my 4 yo makes his own cereal if he's hungry and I'm in the shower!

scuzy · 24/04/2012 11:39

i guess they own their own child better. just looking for opinions is all. need to mind my own business Wink

OP posts:
scuzy · 24/04/2012 11:40

*know not own

OP posts:
peanutbutter38 · 24/04/2012 11:41

scuzy,keep anything dangerous (knives/bleach etc.) locked and out of sight.
Keep doors locked properly.
If they get into trouble, they'll scream loud enough!

scuzy · 24/04/2012 11:42

but they are not ... everything is a free for all.

OP posts:
MoaningMinnieRisesAgain · 24/04/2012 11:42

My 3yo would be getting up on the worktops to look for chocolate/sweets/biscuits, drawing on the walls, poking the dog etc etc. In between shouting Mummy I'm hungry every 4 seconds.

My 5yo would most likely be fine until she started crying because she got a speck of juice on her nightie. So it will be a while until I get a lie in.

pinktrees · 24/04/2012 11:44

What could go wrong Shock?

  1. Child could fall down the stairs
  2. Child could wet fingers and go touching electrics to turn on TV
  3. Child could run bath & drown
  4. Child could ingest small toy eg hama beads, marbles, even small batteries
  5. Child may actually be able to get out onto street!
  6. Child may open door to stranger
  7. Child could climb to reach something out of their reach and have accident
  8. Child could consume overdose of calpol/similar
  9. Less seriously, they could make a mess of food or poo or anything really. etc

If people assessed the risks in their own home and consider it OK, then I suppose it's their business. I didn't do it.

StateofConfusion · 24/04/2012 11:45

Moaning, I think you have my children Grin

MoaningMinnieRisesAgain · 24/04/2012 11:46

Would you like them back??

MoaningMinnieRisesAgain · 24/04/2012 11:46

I can post today Grin

scuzy · 24/04/2012 11:46

see pinktrees thats exactly what i'd be thinking and i dont know if i overreact and too much of a worrier ... i dont even like being upstairs and child downstairs unsupevised for long during the day or vice versa. not at 3yrs old anyway.

OP posts:
MrGin · 24/04/2012 11:46

I don't even let my 3 year old go up / down the stairs without me.

Horses for courses though. I'm sure I do other stuff with dd that others wouldn't be happy about.

WhiteTrash · 24/04/2012 11:47

I couldnt have done this when my son was three he was a nightmare for putting stuff in his mouth. He only began to sto doing it when he turned 5. I was forever telling him to take lids or marbles out his mouth and conviscating them (had to, the second my back was turned...).

He was a good boy but I couldnt trust him.

But thats not to say all 3 year olds are like that, who knows what the baby will be like at that age.

Also I get the impression girls tend to be a bit more sensible than boys. My daft boys anyway.

OrmIrian · 24/04/2012 11:47

Mind your own business Wink

Assuming they know how to put the TV on without breaking it. DD tried to put a video on once and got the bloody thing stuck in the machine Hmm

scuzy · 24/04/2012 11:48

good point MrGin. parent is a good parent, child is lovely child quite advanced for her age. i just couldnt sleep. and she is not an early riser ...8-9am. just dont get it.

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