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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To leave the children at home while they’re napping?

453 replies

ParkLife123 · 17/10/2019 16:43

Please hear me out.

House has a driveway outside, and then the street. On the other side of the street is a playground which my DS aged 4 loves. We go out there to play as often as we can but usually all four of us (me, DS, his younger brother aged 2, and newest addition our 5 month old baby).

I’m considering, in order to be able to spend a little quality 1:1 time with DS, taking him occasionally across the street while the other two nap. House is alarmed. I have baby monitors looking into their cots - the two year old cannot get out of his cot yet and in any case there’s also a baby gate at the door.

But really any sign of movement or noise from either of them and I get an alert on my phone.

The time it takes to get back home from the playground realistically is around 1 minute.

Is this a terrible idea? I’ve thought about the risks of them choking or something but also think that I would be able to get back home in the same time as it would take me to get to them if I was for example in the shower!

Does it sound fine or is it a risk no one else would take?

OP posts:
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8
SpiderCharlotte · 17/10/2019 18:06

Sounds fine to me. I'm quite a laid back parent though.

This isn't laid back, it's just stupid.

OP, when DD was 18 months old she 'couldn't' get out of her cot. Until the day that she could and as I was folding washing in the next bedroom heard an almight thud as she launched herself out of said cot onto the floor. Landed on her face. Do not do this.

Mookie81 · 17/10/2019 18:06

I'm struggling to conceive and morons like this get to have 3 kids Angry.

Life really isn't fair Hmm.

Magpiesalute · 17/10/2019 18:07

Just adding, it’s a nope from me!

MustardScreams · 17/10/2019 18:08

It’s fine! I go down to the end of the garden whilst dd is napping and it takes me longer than one minute to get back.

Mumsnet is obsessed with roads being killers the second you leave a child asleep in a secure cot.

KUGA · 17/10/2019 18:09

I don`t want to sound horrible BUT
The McCanns.

HuggedTree · 17/10/2019 18:10

Hello no. (Fuck off if you are a journalist)
What if you get run over, how are they to know when they take you off to hospital that there’s 2 babies left alone in a house?

whydoesitalwaysrainonmee · 17/10/2019 18:10

Also, I think you're crazy to even think about doing this and asking for opinions!

It wouldn't be quality time with 4 yo as you would be checking monitor and worried about other Dc

LuJaAlJa · 17/10/2019 18:10

No, wouldn't risk it. Sorry.

Pippa12 · 17/10/2019 18:16

Give your head a wobble... this is a ridiculous idea!

Bellringer · 17/10/2019 18:18

2 year old can get into trouble or bite the baby, it's not unknown. Read with your 4 year old or play a board game

BigSandyBalls2015 · 17/10/2019 18:19

The McCanns!!?? Oh god really!

vikkimoog · 17/10/2019 18:21

The McCanns!!?? Oh god really
I don't understand this.
Are you saying people are over reacting or are you saying it's very very similar to what they did?

MRex · 17/10/2019 18:21

Surely the 2 year old wants to go to the park too. Do some cooking, painting, gardening, learning to read and other big kid stuff with the 4 year old while the 2 year old sleeps, then put the baby in a sling and take them all to the park. People always underestimate how long it takes to get somewhere and how attentive they're being.

Timelass · 17/10/2019 18:22

Against the law.

Naillig222 · 17/10/2019 18:23

Look up 'Christmas tree destroys a living room in under a minute' on YouTube.
Please don't ever leave the house while your children are sleeping.

My tumble drier went on fire while I was standing right beside it and the place was full of smoke in seconds.

Whatdayisit2 · 17/10/2019 18:24

No. It's illegal and potentially dangerous. You'd never forgive yourself. Can you spend 121 time at home?

Luaa · 17/10/2019 18:26

I'm sure there are things you could do in the house with your son.

Having said that, I'd go in the garden, shower or to the toilet whilst mind were asleep and I only had a basic monitor.vaby of those I could have been over a minute from hearing then cry to getting to them.

SuzieBishop · 17/10/2019 18:26

Such a stupid thing to even consider.

Wills · 17/10/2019 18:27

errrr Madeline McCann???

Gazelda · 17/10/2019 18:30

While the majority on MN are against the idea, there is a (tiny) minority that are saying "why not?"

So, OP, I suggest you give Social Services a call. See how they react. That'll give you your answer.

Thatagain · 17/10/2019 18:32

No

1forAll74 · 17/10/2019 18:32

A lot of no's,and here is another one from me ! A bad idea all round.

MinTheMinx · 17/10/2019 18:36

Also, good luck to you OP if you go ahead and do this and your son tells someone at school. I'm a childminder and I can assure you children do NOT keep quiet about what happens at home (and they shouldn't have to when it comes to potential safeguarding issues such as this).

LionelRitchieStoleMyNotebook · 17/10/2019 18:38

What no one seems to have considered is that it's a phone/web based monitor what if your reception goes or there's a glitch with the app or your phone and you don't notice? Five month old shouldn't even be napping on their own at all, let alone while you're at the park, you should be in the same room until six months.

Whathappenedtothelego · 17/10/2019 18:38

If the playground is literally opposite the house, as in you could safely sit on your doorstep and watch DS play in the park, then maybe it's ok.
If the idea of that makes you even slightly unsure or uncomfortable, then it is definitely too far to be away from the younger 2.

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