DS coming downstairs on his own?

[chihuahualady]

Not really an aibu but interested in what other parents think.

DS 3 has been coming downstairs on his for the past two weeks and putting the tele on usually helps him self to a piece of fruit as well.He comes down about 6:30 me and OH and DD usually wake up around 8-:8:30.

I'm fine with it but just wondering what other parents do, would you wake up with him and go down? I'm just no good when I'm tired so that extra 2 hours is needed.

I feel really sorry for him, sitting by himself for over two hours, waiting for everyone to get up. He probably doesn't bother letting you know he's awake as he knows you won't get up with him. You say you're sleep deprived but what about your OH, tell him to get up with him. 6.30 is a normal getting-up time for a lot of toddlers.

People do love a pile on don't they?

OP, I do this with my 4 year old but I live in a flat so he's only in the next room. If I were you I'd put his juice and a tablet in his room so he can watch it in his room instead.

You put a TV in a five year olds bedroom?

Why?!

So they can watch TV without being unsupervised downstairs I'd imagine.

Oh and if I knew you @chihuahualady I’d be putting in a calm to social services and I’m not even joking

‘I don't even know how I could stop him he has learnt to do a lot of things by himself he is very self sufficient 🤣‘

^ that’s not even funny op.
That’s made me feel quite upset for your little boy.

A 10 year old should be able to amuse themselves for 2 hours alone without any ill effects. What does it matter if you're asleep or on a meeting which wouldn't be seen as a problem? - they can get you if there's a problem.

My 5 yr old and 10 yr old have ipads buy your child an ipad download Netflix and disney life and YouTube kkds drink in bedroom. Potty in his room

I think he's far, far too young.

No way, agree with a PP that I will put mine in bed with me and just snooze

My 5 year old does as they get up at 4:30am every morning and with other children, one who's a baby and I'm still getting up multiple times a night with, I just let them get on with it because I need that extra sleep. Everyone else is awake between half 5-6.

They know what snacks they're allowed, I take them down to put the tele on and go back to bed but they know how to work it once it's on. But, they are extremely sensible and I know other 5 year olds who I would say absolutely not to so it really depends on the child and what works best for you I think.

"I’d be putting in a call to social services and I’m not even joking"

For neglect? God save me from the likes.

8.30 is quite late to get up when you have a toddler to be honest. Try a gro clock to try to get him to stay in bed till 7, but you should definitely be up then with him.

A 3yo should never have to be self sufficient 😢

He’s also presumably in a full nappy for those two hours, full from the night before. Nice.

Sorry OP I get you are tired, but there are TWO adults in your house, it IS lazy - you are neglecting your child.

It would be different if you went down with him, changed his nappy, got him a drink and a snack and let him veg for say half an hour while you went back upstairs - but you aren’t even having ANY contact with him for the first 2.5hrs of every day?!

How can either of the adults in the house not give a shit that they have not even laid eyes on their toddler for the first 2.5hrs of his day???

I’ve got an almost 8 and 12 year old and I’d not leave them downstairs whilst I was in bed.

If I’m feeling really tired I might give my youngest the iPad whilst they are in their room with door wide open and I’ll doze off in mine fir half an hour.

I'm also a bad sleeper. Takes me ages to fall asleep, I wake up a lot and I have regular nightmares. I feel tired to the bone every morning. That's a very long time for a child so young to be downstairs on his own. Taking it in turns to get up with him seems sensible, as does having a tablet on easy reach upstairs.

And even then it’s only because he gives me a running commentary on everything on the iPad that I know he’s fine!

@Oblomov20 yes for neglect.

The poor child is probably sitting in a full nappy from the night before - on his own unsupervised in a house full of dangerous hazards. While his TWO parents decide to have 2 hours sleep extra in bed.

Disgusting the child is three for Christ sake

Hang on, not all 3 yr olds are in nappies at bedtime so that's quite an assumption

Most are

OP work on good sleep habits.
No caffeine
No screens in the evening especially not phones/tablets in bed.
Plenty of exercise during the day.

Try to bring forward the time you go to sleep by 30 mins every 3 days. You also need to try and get up in the morning and get exposed to light to reset your circadian rhythms.

Ps. Your DP needs to be getting up with your son if you have a genuine sleep issue.

Then again maybe he just right himself that too

I wouldn't say most in my experience. Depends what side of 3 the child is though. DS isn't far off 4 and has been out of nappies for bed for a few months now

*taught himself

I don’t let ours go down without an adult and the eldest is 8.

As pp said my main worries are them trying to use kettle toaster etc

Poor boy ☹️

Where on earth does OP mention the child is still in nappies?!

People are actually just making things up now.

so they can watch TV without being unsupervised downstairs I'd imagine

A 5 year old doesnt need to watch that much tv.

This thread makes me quite sad. Very young children get "self sufficient" when they have no choice.