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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

WIBU to exercise in the garage while DS is asleep?

32 replies

DontTouchTheMoustache · 06/04/2020 19:31

Single parent, DS is 5. I have been indoors for 2 weeks and being in the vulnerable group have not gone for walks etc.
I have already started to put on weight and want to do some cardio but the cross trainer is in the garage which is next to but not attached to the house. Its too heavy for me to move by myself and i couldnt do it while he is awake as he would just try and climb up on it while I'm using it.
I would be in there for 20 minutes, would you do this? i would only be a few feet from the house but prepared to be told that i would be unreasonable.

OP posts:
Original poster
DontTouchTheMoustache · 06/04/2020 19:31

(Also please dont flame me for asking ive had a rough week and i am just genuinely asking for advice)

OP posts:
FusionChefGeoff · 06/04/2020 19:34

Have you got an old monitor / stair gate knocking around?? Or can you rig up a combo of tech somehow (laptop webcam?!) to keep an eye on him?

I wouldn't be comfortable unless I had some way of knowing he was fast asleep. If he got up and tried to find you he could get very upset very quickly if you weren't there.

TestingTestingWonTooFree · 06/04/2020 19:35

I don’t think that’s necessarily a problem. What if he woke up and came looking for you? What if there was a fire? Would you know if anything happened in the house?

Do you have a baby monitor or enough internet devices to make one?

I wouldn’t listen to music while you worked out. I would consider prewarning him of the plan and leaving a note of words/pictures by his bed just in case.

Original poster
DontTouchTheMoustache · 06/04/2020 19:36

Yes fusion that was my concern, i may still have his baby monitor somewhere, thats a good shout if i can find it.
He is a very heavy sleeper and doesnt tend to get up but its no guarantee that he won't.

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Marieo · 06/04/2020 19:36

If you have 2 devices eg a phone and a tablet just video call each other or something so you can see if he wakes up (if you don't have a baby monitor or anything still). As long as you can see or hear his room somehow then I don't see the problem.

AppleKatie · 06/04/2020 19:37

I wouldn’t do it whilst he’s asleep but I definitely would do it whilst he was awake, knew where you were and watching his favourite tv programme!

raspberryk · 06/04/2020 19:37

I would, but then I'd also do it while awake and watching a film, my 5yo is trustworthy though and spends hours alone either in the garden or in her room while I'm pottering or working.

Original poster
DontTouchTheMoustache · 06/04/2020 19:38

I do have a few internet devices but only one with a phone number...does anyone who is good with tech know a way i could rig something (have laptops, 2 phones and a kindle fire but only one sim) if i cant fnd baby monitor?

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AlpacaGoodnight · 06/04/2020 19:39

I would but would have a monitor set up just in case!

JoeySpecial · 06/04/2020 19:40

I wouldn't but only because the Garage is attached to the house.

Would be not sit with a tablet for a while with you whilst you excercise?

Sending a big hug and no judgement here xxxx

Original poster
DontTouchTheMoustache · 06/04/2020 19:40

He is not one to sit and watch a film and leave me to it (ive been trying to work from home and am painfully aware of this), especially when I'm in the garage as he is fascinated by it for some reason

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MartyrGuacamole · 06/04/2020 19:40

At 5yo I would do it while he was awake and watching a film. Or let him bring a train track/toy cars/ paper and colouring pencils/tablet in the garage while you workout? At 5 he should be able to be near you and not climbing on you. Promise him a super tasty snack if he behaves for 20 mins while you workout. I wouldn't while he was asleep - I think mine at 5 would be very upset if he couldn't find me on the odd occasion he wakes.

mummy203 · 06/04/2020 19:40

With a monitor fine

MerryDeath · 06/04/2020 19:41

a 5yo?? yes that's fine.

if you are really worried call your landline with your mobile, take your mobile with you on mute and speaker to listen out for him. bootstrap baby monitor in our house,

TuckMyWin · 06/04/2020 19:42

As long as you have the internet on both devices you could use a video calling app like Houseparty or zoom to rig up a video monitor of sorts.

Original poster
DontTouchTheMoustache · 06/04/2020 19:44

Unfortunately i dont have a landline. Can you set up skype without a phone number? I dont have it but as i have 2 working phones if i can do that i can skype myself and use that as a monitor couldnt i?

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tealandteal · 06/04/2020 19:44

You can get Skype it similar apps for both and Skype between the devices?

Original poster
DontTouchTheMoustache · 06/04/2020 19:44

Oh yes thats a good call tuck i have the houseparty app! Thank you

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tealandteal · 06/04/2020 19:45

You just need an email address for Skype so you may need to set up an additional account if you only have one email

Original poster
DontTouchTheMoustache · 06/04/2020 19:45

Thanks all i will do that! Smile

Me and my love handles thank you all for your suggestions!

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karigan · 06/04/2020 19:45

We've got an attached garage (but one you have to exit the house to get into) When I'm helping my DH with woodwork projects (that form part of him income and require 2 people) when our 5 year old is in bed, we lock the front door and take the keys and then go out the backdoor into the (secure) back garden and in through the side door of the garage. Our DD is aware that if she ever can't find us anywhere in the house she is to go downstairs and knock on the hallway wall (joins the garage) and that if we don't appear then she is allowed to put her shoes on and use the backdoor to go out into the garden and then open the garage door.
She's only ever got up once and she did that and was fine. She wasn't upset and had figured out where we were.

How mature is he? My DD is trustworthy and sensible enough to be left for a short period (around 20 minutes) whilst she has an activity that is occupying her whilst we are awake whilst we both go and work in the garage. She's very sensible and rule following and will follow the same rules as night time if she needs us for something. We started leaving her for 5 minutes at a time after her 5th birthday and slowly built it up until she can trusted on her own for the 20 minutes we sometimes need. Would this be something you could do with him?

JKScot4 · 06/04/2020 19:46

Would those saying no never go into
their garden when their DC are in bed?
Of course it’s fine for 20min.
My cross trainer has a wheel under the front to move it, check yours doesn’t.

Darbs76 · 06/04/2020 19:48

I think it’s ok - like others have said put a phone on. At 5 though can’t he be distracted with a tablet when you go on it?

Pineappletree33 · 06/04/2020 19:48

I would. I regularly garden while toddler dd naps. I just bring her monitor into the Garden and put it on the loudest setting so I would hear her if she wakes.

Original poster
DontTouchTheMoustache · 06/04/2020 19:51

Well he ismt actually quite 5 he will be in the next few weeks so i say 5 cos he practically is but obvs still quite little and i think he is still getting used to me being at home so much as he is being quite clingy, wanting to cuddle on me all the time so i just dont think i could get away with it in the day.
I will take the advice of explaining where i will be if he cant find me as he knows how to go out the back and into the garage and do the skype and i think that is ok as i can stil see and hear everything

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