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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to let my dt's sleep in the back garden?

193 replies

inmyplace · 27/08/2016 19:59

Reassurrance needed. Trying to be chilled. Dt's are 8. In a tent, in our tiny back garden. We live on a cul de sac on edge of a town. Low crime rate but shed did get broken into a couple of years ago. Dh will be in the conservatory with the door open- about 8ish feet away. I thought they'd cave, but no sign of going off the idea. Both just really happy and excited. I need to let them don't I?

OP posts:
expatinscotland · 27/08/2016 22:16

It's your family, you do what you think is best. I wouldn't with my kids but then, we like to camp altogether.

serin · 27/08/2016 22:18

Oh sweetheart, don't worry. your DH is just a few feet away. Our bedroom is 12 feet square...he is only 8 feet away, so practically in the same room.

Mine slept out all the time at this age.

sleepachu · 27/08/2016 22:18

brilliant. predictably the OP who was already feeling worried is now very upset and has had a row with her husband. for nothing, except some people's need for vicarious drama. the man that killed Sophie Hook (21, that's TWENTY ONE, years ago) is in prison. most people are nice and camping is a good life skill. that's what we should be teaching children.

ImperialBlether · 27/08/2016 22:19

Sorry, but 8 is far too young - what on earth are you thinking of?

x2boys · 27/08/2016 22:21

Quite Dawn we would never let our children do anything if we thought of all the terrible things that could happen.

Bubblebloodypop · 27/08/2016 22:22

I camped out lots as a child. They will be fine, it's an adventure and a happy memory in the making. Your DH is right there. It would be very difficult for someone to unzip a tent and carry two boys off without a peep. I'm sure you won't be getting much sleep tonight though Sad

Please update us in the morning when they've had a wonderful time?

Hunsnetloser · 27/08/2016 22:22

Yes but sleepachu if my dc were sleeping out in the garden right now the last thing I would have done is gone on to mn aibu and asked if it's okay to let them sleep out there.

sleepachu · 27/08/2016 22:24

A

DrWhy · 27/08/2016 22:25

OK - I don't have DC yet so maybe don't get this but there are 2 of them, in a secured back garden in a nice sounding area with your husband a matter of feet away and they are 8 - not tiny children but ones that can look after their basic needs and communicate.
Is there seriously the tiniest possibility that harm of any kind could come to either of them without the other making enough noise to raise DH?!
Surely this is a fabulous safe 'adventure' for them.

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 27/08/2016 22:25

Sorry, but 8 is far too young - what on earth are you thinking of?

Eh? Confused

maddiemookins16mum · 27/08/2016 22:25

I knew someone would mention it. Grrrr.

JaimeLannister · 27/08/2016 22:26

Not very fair to put thoughts of a horrific child murder in the OP's mind when she already has her twins asleep in their tent with their dad close by.

I'm sure they will be fine and very proud of themselves if they stay out all night. I remember doing the same as a kid with my cousins.

NavyandWhite · 27/08/2016 22:27

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ZigZagIntoTheBlue · 27/08/2016 22:28

They'll be fine, they'll totally love it! One case twenty years ago makes the risk statistically nil - however if your dh would be able to fit in the tent it might mean you can get some sleep tonight!

sleepachu · 27/08/2016 22:28

the OP opened with 'reassurance needed'. all this irrelevant dramatic Sophie Hook shite and misplaced judging of her parenting is the opposite of that and has demonstrably had real life consequences. you may as well also lecture her about how she should never go out alone at night in case the Yorkshire Ripper gets her.

INeedNewShoes · 27/08/2016 22:29

This seems like yet another case of people forgetting that there is a real person at the end of this thread looking for moral support.

Posters could have just said 'I personally wouldn't do that' but it seems it's more entertaining to drag up one horrendous incident that was absolutely sure to panic the OP.

Not very nice.

inmyplace · 27/08/2016 22:29

When I initially posted they were awake and if everyone had said it was a bad idea I would have got them in. I asked for people's opinions for reassurance I guess as i know i can be over protective. I suppose I wanted a reality check.
And I was fine until those posts. Now I've gone over to the other side with worry. Sad. But I'm sitting propped up at the doorway and don't plan to move till it's light so they should be ok shouldn't they?

OP posts:
sleepachu · 27/08/2016 22:29

"21 years ago? And."

are you taking the piss?

NavyandWhite · 27/08/2016 22:30

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Hunsnetloser · 27/08/2016 22:31

Same here navy
I mentioned that I wouldn't because of that case, although didn't want to mention actual case. But I thought you were still thinking of letting your dt camp out, not that they were actually out there.

MakeMyWineADouble · 27/08/2016 22:32

Op they are being watched more closely than if they were in their bedroom they will be fine

NavyandWhite · 27/08/2016 22:33

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

shouldwestayorshouldwego · 27/08/2016 22:33

They will be fine, but, to lighten the mood, a few days ago dh and ds slept in a tent. I couldn't get the cat in - scared by giggling girls in the house and tent in garden, so left door unlocked and instructions for dd to try before she went to bed. She couldn't get cat in but helpfully locked the door leaving key in it.

Come 4am dh and cat both standing mornfully on step trying to get into the house in a thunderstorm. Cat refused to entertain idea of going into the tent which had invaded the garden. Fortunately I woke up about 4.30 and let cat in by which time all quiet in tent. Dh not amused and assumed it was me who locked them out until dd confirmed that she was the last one to use the door.

If you're that worried don't brimg them in, go and sleep in the tent with them and either wake up before them or say it was too hot in the house so you joined them in the middle of the night. They've had the fun of going to sleep alone they probably won't even notice in the morning.

maddiemookins16mum · 27/08/2016 22:33

Yep they will 😊

sleepachu · 27/08/2016 22:33

yes, it is grim, the shite you are talking IS grim, and has upset a worried mum for nothing.

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