WIBU to let DD down and not go to the zoo just because I have only had 2 hours sleep?

[ElliotorElliott]

DD is 7 and has a teach training day tomorrow so still off. I promised her i would take her to the zoo (it's a large zoo and a full day out). She is all excited and could barely get her to sleep. We are talking an hour and a half drive to get there, etc.

I haven't managed to fall asleep yet. We have to leave at 8 am up at 6:30-7am to get her ready, etc.

WIBU to take her to the farm or something so we can leave a lot later and o can manage to get more than a couple of hours sleep in? Or would that be unreasonable due to how exited she is? (Never been to this zoo)

Leave later, tell her you need to have an hours rest or you cant drive. Red bull ?

I'd definitely take her, it would be awful not to when you've promised and she's so excited, just because you're tired.

FFS people have died due to tired driver falling asleep at the wheel. Red Bull doesn't cut it. Stop advising her to drive 3 hours unnecessarily after so little sleep.

Sukitakeitoff

This^^

10x

Hope you got to sleep soon after posting OP

You'll have made your decision by now but FWIW I agree with the posters who say nap in the morning, then go later, there is no need to get there so early.

What did you end up doing op?

Just seen the Telegraph article.

Well I will never drive again. I regularly have less than 5hours sleep.

I can't believe people are suggesting you drive on such little sleep. I'd sleep late, then go. No need to get there so early.

If you can have a sleep now (hopefully your doing!!) then just go later. If you've not caught up on sleep apologise and be poorly. Day of dvds??

Good God, the number of people who would put themselves, their children and everybody else at risk so they don't have to endure looking at a disappointed kid, is ridiculous.

But it was a PROMISE

Urgh, this isn't a movie wherea child is scarred for life because of some minor parental blip. Tell your child you are sorry but it will have to wait until another time OP.

I wouldn't, it's totally unnecessary and will just be a long stressful day out. If you are worried about her being upset then go at the weekend instead.

I wouldn't but then I'm a crabby bitch on less than 7 hrs, never mind delirious on only a couple of hours.
Go on Saturday, it's half term here too so it will be busy.

It is seriously irresponsible to drive on only two hours sleep. I say this as a parent of a very bad sleeper. There have been times when I have had to forget going anywhere as I am just too tired to drive. Why on earth would you put yourself, your child and other people at risk! The zoo can wait.

public transport is the best option

or yes I think I would go,

I wouldn't take my DD to the zoo at all! Hideous places, watching animals bored out of their minds with distress. But in answer to your question, YANBU, have a rest today and do something another time.

You could be done for dangerous driving if you are so tired behind the wheel.

When you take control of a car, you are in control of perhaps 2 tonnes of potentially lethal machinery and people would put other (possibly more vulnerable) road users at risk so their child doesn't miss a trip to the zoo. It you have a collision on your way there, your child may not be going at all. Sometimes children have to learn that other things can get in the way of promised special trips etc.

Take her to the farm (assuming you don't have to drive), I'll bet within an hour she's having a great time and forgotten the disappointment of not going to the zoo anyway.

I'd take her after lunch and get a few more hours in.

Completely agree with PP! Seriously, this notion that our children must NEVER feel disappointed is ridiculous. Disappointment is part of life, learning that sometimes, the needs of others trump your own wants is an important lesson. This idea that we should go through hell and high water to honour a promise to our DC, even though it is something that can and SHOULD be postponed for the benefit of everyone involved, is just silly and leads to children believing that what they want should be the focal point of everyone around them and also to a total lack of resilience and ability to consider the needs of others. Hope you postponed, OP.

I don't drive so public transport would be my suggestion. But if people don't drive unless they're well rested they won't drive anywhere with babies?

It would take a much bigger reason than lack of sleep to make me cancel a day out that had been looked forward to and counted down to.

In the same way I wouldn't drive if I had had a couple of drinks, I wouldn't drive if I only had a couple of hours sleep under my belt. Because it is dangerous. And yes, I regularly had to adapt my plans when my children were babies and slept poorly.

Those laying on a guilt trip about disappointed kids are being massively irresponsible. 2 hours sleep isn't just 'a bit tired'.

There's a large difference, allow between a little bit tired and driving with 2 hours or less of sleep.

Driving whilst so sleep deprived is an act of pure selfishness. You don't want to let DC down because it will make you feel bad if they are disappointed. That's a very, very selfish act in itself.

Part of the responsibility of being able to drive is also being able to assess when you are not in a condition (mentally or physically) where you are safe to drive.

I would have delayed trip and leave at 11am instead. Tell 7 year old your too tired in morning and leave them to play/ watch film whilst you sleep or rest a few hours

Presumably also between say midnight and 7am you were still resting even if not actually asleep, 2hrs sleep with 4-5rest in bed overnight is more than just 2hrs between daily routine and doing stuff.