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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To think 11 years old is too old for a bedtime story?

121 replies

Faerie87 · 14/08/2018 18:24

I have a feeling that DC is trying to stay up late and wants a story read to them in bed!

OH thinks there should be no age limit, I believe it’s too old and should stop at around 7yo?

I just want to know what other people think.

OP posts:

Mouikey · 14/08/2018 20:11

At the age of 32 I had an op and was in the hospital for 5 nights - my hubby came and read to me each evening, it was so lovely even though I couldn’t really concentrate. He now reads bedtime stories to our 2 yo and we are all in bed together, I think I love it as much as our little on! Never too old for books and stories.

DidimusStench · 14/08/2018 20:19

So at what point is the TV watching happening during a bedtime story? If bedtime’s at 9pm, you the TV goes off and you start the story at 8.50. If she wanted to watch the TV, why is she asking to be read to? That makes absolutely no sense.

CamberwellNichols · 14/08/2018 20:22

My dad read to me until I left for university. I would read to him sometimes too. To many that seems weird, but it was just lovely. Now we read a chapter of the same novel every night and discuss. You're never too old for a bed time story!

MrsMozart · 14/08/2018 20:27

No age limit. Crack on reading lass.

You'll miss it soon enough when they no longer want to spend time with you.

WillowRose79 · 14/08/2018 20:28

Perfect age for Harry Potter!!!!

blueskiesandforests · 14/08/2018 20:29

Didimus it's in the OP's 18:33 post.

Child is told it's bedtime. Child asks to stay up and watch Simpsons or similar instead of a bedtime story. Parents agree. Child watches Simpsons. Child then asks for a bedtime story despite having watched TV "instead" already. Effectively it's just a tactic to go to bed later. Worth a try - and it works as OP's DH is a soft touch

Better just say no to the Simpsons/ other extra TV and read the story in the first place unless bedtime is too early and needs moving half an hour later.

The negotiations at bedtime do probably need to stop as they are always renegotiated as soon as the extra TV time has been had.

LML83 · 14/08/2018 20:33

My DD is 8. I don't read to her often but we lie in bed and have a chat. She uses it to extend bedtime but it's the time she opens up a bit so I don't mind too much.

Bedtime has got out of control over school holidays, when we are back to normal routine I plan to take an extra 15 mins off bed time for procrastinating! Even if she thinks she is pulling the wool over my eyes on this occasion I don't mind.

DidimusStench · 14/08/2018 20:33

Ohhhhhhh I get it. Thanks. I’ve got distracted by the actual AIBU, which of course, as demonstrated by PPs, there is no age limit on reading.

Just give her a choice at bedtime? Simpson’s or story, you choose. I do the same with my DD but I must confess I’d feel shitty about saying no to reading.

greenlavender · 14/08/2018 20:45

No, 11 is still acceptable. Children grow up far too quickly.

CountFosco · 14/08/2018 20:48

The Streak and from the daughter's perspective.

keyboardkate · 14/08/2018 21:09

Audiobooks are the biz.

Just stick the earphones in and away you go. No guilt no dependence.

Merryoldgoat · 14/08/2018 21:13

My DH reads me a story sometimes... I’m 40.

DeliveredByKiki · 14/08/2018 21:27

Adding my voice to the masses, mine are only 6&9 but I read to them both every night and will do as long as they want me too - love the PP who are reading to their teens and above still!

Teachers at our D.C. school actually said we should make sure to keep reading to them above their own levels to keep expanding their vocabularies and they often read along in their heads which helps improve their own reading skills, and they ask questions which improves their comprehension

twoshedsjackson · 14/08/2018 21:33

I agree that you're never too old for a bedtime story....
When I helped out with choir tours, I was in charge of bedtime for the Junior School boys, which included a story. As the days went by, it became apparent that I was acquiring a wider audience who wanted to listen in, arms and legs crossed; by the end of the week, even a couple of super-cool VIth formers had risked their credibility.
I also agree about audio books when poorly; definitely a great comfort to be read to, even in virtual form.

blueskiesandforests · 14/08/2018 21:38

Am I allowed to chuckle at the idea of super cool 6th formers being in the choir? I think that 6th formers in the choir are probably fairly self confident in precisely the geek-chic way that allows them to embrace listening to a children's story read aloud Possibly not the individuals who worry about mainstream street credit!

twoshedsjackson · 14/08/2018 21:54

It's a school with a strong singing tradition - can't say more as it's too outing- , but foreign tours, house singing competitions and public concerts do tend to help with the street cred. But feel free to chuckle; they provided me with endless hours of entertainment.

apriljune12 · 14/08/2018 22:00

Ah remember dh reading Harry Potter to our 4 oldest on holiday in Crete so ages 12/11/8/6 while I was feeding baby dd.

They still have the best memories of it, oldest now and dh finished the goblet of fire in those 10 days. Kids all grown up now.

Magical memories op.

FermatsTheorem · 14/08/2018 22:12

I'm still reading to mine (has dyslexia, so I can't see the evening story ending any time soon). He's now old enough that I really enjoy the books he's interested in!

nokidshere · 14/08/2018 23:11

They are never too old for a bedtime story.

RealSLOAH · 14/08/2018 23:14

There’s no age limit. But, there is a time limit; I only read short stories or a set number of pages.

Saracen · 15/08/2018 00:42

I often read to my 18yo at bedtime. She often reads to me. She sometimes lingers outside her little sister's door if there is a good story happening, and has to be made to come in!

OP, you could avoid the bedtime negotiation business if you implemented a rule of no TV during the two hours before bedtime. Screens in the evening can mess up people's sleep, so that would be a good idea anyhow. Just have the story instead. That way you won't have to say no to the story request.

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