would you have a nap when in sole charge of two school-aged DC?

[JimmyGreavesMoustache]

haven't decide yet so no need to shout at me.

I am not sleeping well and am in desperate need of a nap - for various reasons there is no chance of a lie-in or an early night this week.

I could really do with going back to bed for half an hour. I need actual sleep though - laying on the sofa with my eyes shut while they play is not going to cut it. Would you?

What age?

How old? Unless one of them was at least 12 then I wouldn't... Unless I could convince them to get in bed with me and nap too (mine loved this when younger!)

Depends entirely on age of course

they're young - 5 and 8
no way will the 5yo have a nap

At 5&8 I would have put a movie on and tried to snooze in the living room.

Mine are 11 and 4. No way could the oldest make the youngest be quiet. So would snooze in the sofa now

8 and 5? I'd buy/rent them a new film through the tv and set an alarm for an hour. An 8 year old can cope with waking you if they need to.

I can completely understand the need for a nap! But I don't think you can reasonably leave them unattended. Could you pull them into bed with you and give them a tablet to watch or play on, while you doze? Not ideal, but you do have to take care of yourself somehow.

12

You do know that thousands of 11 year olds make their own way to and from school on public transport!

I would. Tell the 8-year-old to wake you in half an hour or earlier if there's any problem at all.

Well my 8 and 3 year old got up 2 hours before me (at 5.30 am apparently!) this morning. The eldest even prepared the 3 year old some cereal. So I think a cheeky nap is fine- they can wake you if needed. Just make sure the doors are locked so they can't open the door to strangers.

Go for it. shove them.a film.on and gi to bed.

You do know that thousands of 11 year olds make their own way to and from school on public transport

Yes. My 11 year old does too.

That doesn't mean she is mature enough to look after a younger very noisy sibling.

I really don't get why the 'most 11 year olds get themselves to school' argument is relevant on these threads

I 5hink 8 and 5 would be grand. Go for it. Just set up a movie and give them a drunk and snack before you lie down (with the door open) so that they don't go rooting in the kitchen. Even a 5yr old can call you or come get you in your room if needed.

It would be the couch for me.

12!!!

My dc walked to and from school alone from age 10 and we have left them alone in the house for up to two hours from age 11 (year 7).

Dear God.

Who is noise going to hurt

Film on, snacks and drinks to hand, nap on the sofa is what I would do.

I'd put on a movie on for them and go for a sleep.

Yes if course it's fine, do people not realise dc are left unattended in their own bedrooms daily while parents sleep.

I hope you've gone to bed and are enjoying your nap?!

Unless your children have additional needs which you haven't mentioned, then they'll be absolutely fine if you're upstairs having a kip!

we are going to go to the park. plan is to run them ragged, then feed a carb-heavy lunch and park them in front of a DVD afterwards

I think they'll be fine.

I know many parents who let their children go and watch tv in a morning whilst they snooze in bed for a short lie in. Is having a nap any different?

They'll be fine! Enjoy your nap OP

my 5 and 8 year old are up at least an hour or 2 before me in the mornings. well school holidays anyway. i stay sleep and they are on play station/laptop and eating.

Yes I would. I would lay out some crisps and stuff as well, just to keep them further occupied.

Mine also get up at the crack of stupid o'clock sometimes so they'll come down and put the tv on or sometimes the xbox.