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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To leave a light on all night?

67 replies

Sparrowlegs248 · 16/03/2018 22:54

I think I probably am.......

Since I separated from my husband, I've got into the habit of leaving the bathroom light on. I have a 2.5 yrs old and baby, the baby is in my room. I have nightlights in both bedrooms but both bedrooms are really big and the nightlights not very bright. Leaving the bathroom light on means I don't have to switch any lights on to see what I'm doung/where I'm walking ifwhen I have to get up to the baby or go to the loo etc. I live rurally so there are no outside lights/streetlights at all. It's pitch black .

I thought it was fine but having mentioned it in conversation recently, a couple of people think itso really weird.

Also, the bathroom light pull makes a ridiculously noisy click in the night that has woken the baby up before.

OP posts:
WatchingFromTheWings · 16/03/2018 22:56

Not weird at all. I went for years sleeping with a lamp on!

QuestionableMouse · 16/03/2018 22:56

Isn't it costing you a fortune in electricity?

Gide · 16/03/2018 22:56

I think it’s fine. I can’t understand the neighbours who leave a huge security light on all night. It shines into our bedroom so we’ve put up blackout. Bit weird, but an internal light is fine.

Huntinginthedark · 16/03/2018 22:56

Really don’t see a problem with it
Your house
Your money
Do what you want!
What’s it going to cost, few £

NewYearNewMe18 · 16/03/2018 22:56

I'd probably plug a night light in the hallway, but I always have fairy lights on, if that's any consolation

2rebecca · 16/03/2018 22:57

Seems a waste of electricity to me. Why not just put a torch by your bed?

PrettyLittIeThing · 16/03/2018 22:57

Thought most people with kids left a light on incase they needed the toilet in the night? I know I leave it on.

AlexaAmbidextra · 16/03/2018 22:58

Nobody else's business really. I like complete darkness but have friends who leave bathroom/landing light on. You do whatever works for you. Doesn't matter what anyone else thinks.

Stripyhoglets1 · 16/03/2018 22:59

I've always had a light on at night either landing or bathroom. Hate it being all dark.

Original poster
Sparrowlegs248 · 16/03/2018 23:00

There are no plugood sockets on the landing or I would, that would be the ideal solution.

My electricity bill has gone down since He left and I started doing this. It's a low energy bulb so I'm not worried about the £££.

If it were just for me to go to the loo the torch would be fine but it's the switching on and brightness that disturbs/alerts the children. If this light is on it leaves enough light for me to see in the bedrooms without being bright or sudden for them.

I have the fear about both waking up at the same time.

OP posts:
Original poster
Sparrowlegs248 · 16/03/2018 23:02

The landing light is right outside my door so would be a bit too light.

I might investigate rechargeable night lights for the socket less landing.

OP posts:
VaguelyAware · 16/03/2018 23:07

DH & I leave a nightlight on, on the landing, for DD.

GrowThroughWhatYouGoThrough · 16/03/2018 23:10

When I lived at mum and dads my mum always left the landing light on from when I was little till 19 and I left home 😂

xxlala7xx · 16/03/2018 23:12

I always leave my hall light on during the night incase any of the kids get up for the toilet always have done since they have been toilet trained :)

applesandpears56 · 16/03/2018 23:12

Its perfectly normal
Acts as a bit of security and means you or your toddler won’t be falling over in the dark!

princesspeppax · 16/03/2018 23:14

I do the same with our bathroom light incase my dd (toddler) wakes in the night for whatever reason Grin

turnipfarmers · 16/03/2018 23:17

I always leave the hall light on, it's a low energy bulb. I would say to put it on a timer if you can otherwise when you are away and the light is always off it's fairly obvious.

user1493413286 · 16/03/2018 23:19

I do that when DP is away and I think I would if we split up as in part it makes me feel more secure. We also do that at mil house as it’s easier and safer to move around the landing and stairs when dcs wake in the night

sleepylittlebunnies · 16/03/2018 23:23

Our bathroom light pull makes a really loud noise too, if I need the loo in the night I use my phone to light the way. I keep it on my bedside table as my alarm clock.

UpstartCrow · 16/03/2018 23:24

You might find its worth your while having Economy 7, even with low energy bulbs.

Flamingoringo · 16/03/2018 23:25

We leave the landing light on for the kids. We can dim it which uses less electricity. It’s a special bulb that you work with an app from your phone.

liz70 · 16/03/2018 23:27

We have a wall lamp at the top of our landing with a low energy bulb, which we keep on all night. I thought it was completely normal.

Gemini69 · 16/03/2018 23:29

I sleep with the light on... Grin

AnnieAnoniMouse · 16/03/2018 23:32

Easiest thing is to stop caring what other people think

It works for you, why change anything?

MrsCrabbyTree · 16/03/2018 23:36

I have a LED sensor light, about the size of a saucer. It is brilliant in the hallway, where the light switch is in an inconvenient position. Lights only when it's dark therefore not wasting battery power during the day. At a guess the batteries requiring changing about every 9 months. I got it at a hardware store and didn't cost very much. (I'm in Oz so no use giving you brand details etc)