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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To nap while my preschooler plays?

15 replies

poocatcherchampion · 27/08/2015 16:58

I'm 6 months pregnant and need to take it easy from time to time. Occasionally I am so tired I need a quick nap. My 3.5 yo is very sweet and likes to mummy me by getting me a blanket and giving me her rabbit too cuddle. I normally get about 40 mins before she starts harassing me andi. Drag myself awake. She plays with her toys or sometimes I put a film on.

When she harasses me I try not to get annoyed, but she strokes my stomach or brushes my hair or things like that. I growl - let mummy sleep which sometimes works

Aibu?

OP posts:
GothicRainbow · 27/08/2015 17:06

I don't think a short nap is unreasonable if your DD is safe and suitably occupied but I think by growling at her YABU, if she needs you then you should get up.

starlight2007 · 27/08/2015 17:14

At 3.5.. I only ever did it when I was not well.. I think you need to time it.. I think 40 minutes is more than enough time to leave her to her own devices.. I assume you are in the same room..

I think if she has let you sleep for 40 minutes to growl at YABU

howabout · 27/08/2015 17:14

I think my DD (similar age) needs downtime and me sitting switched off gives her that and also gives her scope to start playing independently. 40 minutes is about normal for us. I am not pg, just a bit decrepit

derektheladyhamster · 27/08/2015 17:16

I used to set up 4/5 jigsaws on the floor, put the tv on and tell ds to wake me when Blues Clues had finished. showing age I would then nap on the sofa. He would have been about 2.5

FlyingGoose · 27/08/2015 17:22

I wouldn't nap when looking after a preschooler.

JustOneMinuteAtATime · 27/08/2015 17:24

Napping is fine if your pre-schooler is happy playing and safe, but growling at her when she wants you is unreasonable.

Original poster
poocatcherchampion · 27/08/2015 17:39

Thank you for comments so far - not too bad.

Re the growling - it is friendly but probably not ideal. Is it different to asking them to toddle off for a minute while you are hanging out washing, head in the nappy bucket etc?

OP posts:
hibbleddible · 27/08/2015 18:27

Yabu imo

She could get up to all sorts while you were asleep. At that age they have very little danger awareness, but a high level of climbing/mischief making ability. I don't see how you could think it is safe to leave her unsupervised while you sleep.

fabuLou · 27/08/2015 18:30

Oh fgs its fine

Bullshitbingo · 27/08/2015 18:31

I sympathise, but I wouldn't sleep whilst 'on duty' not unless they're asleep.

Armi · 27/08/2015 18:35

I know it's really difficult to avoid a bit of a kip when pregnant but I would do all I could to avoid sleeping when looking after a wide awake pre-schooler. 40 minutes is a long time.

googoodolly · 27/08/2015 18:41

Can you not rest on the sofa with a film or something instead? I wouldn't feel comfortable sleeping with a 3 year old investigating everything. Would you hear if she had an accident or got hurt or stuck?

howabout · 27/08/2015 18:55

All those who never sleep while on duty what do you do when you go to sleep at night and you have a 3 year old who might wake and get up to all sorts? Do you never leave the room the 3 year old is in either? Also don't think the Op is in deep sleep while having a catnap such that she wouldn't hear a problem. Can't think many of this viewpoint are SAHM to demanding 3 year olds?

googoodolly · 27/08/2015 18:58

Well, when they're asleep they're "contained" in their rooms which are presumably designed to be pretty safe, no? I mean, you don't have knives or chemicals lying around in a toddlers bedroom, surely?

Whereas in a living room, there are a lot more "adult" things they can invariably get into and destroy fairly quickly. Also if you're fully awake but next door, you can hear a lot more and you'll react quicker if you hear a thud or a scream or if it suddenly goes quiet.

I think it depends on a) how safe the room is (and can they get out) and b) how deeply you sleep and whether you'll hear if they get into any trouble.

Original poster
poocatcherchampion · 27/08/2015 21:10

oh I mostly hear everything she is doing and she is playing at my feet. today she told me when she was going for a wee. We don't have knives or chemicals within reach and she is not a climber or physically challenging.

She plays with her dolls and does colouring next to me while I am on the sofa, or cuddles me on the sofa. The growling comes when she plays doctors on me :)

re bedrooms - they are not contained - her and her just 2 year old sister are in beds and their bedroom door is open. She never leaves the bedroom - her sister often monkeying around in the corridor. Said sister is asleep having a nap in the period I am speaking of.

Having a sit down and watching a film is basically an impossibility if my body is asleep. Yesterday i thought i was going to drop off on the way home from work driving.

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