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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

6.40am is an acceptable time for a 4yo to get up?

153 replies

elainesummers · 27/07/2020 08:28

My DD just turned 4. She is always asleep by 7pm, sometimes earlier.

She's up for the day at 6.40am. My parents think this is far too early and don't believe me when I say many of her peers get up even earlier especially in the summer months.

They're also aghast that we use a gro clock and keep asking when we will 'wean her off it'.

OP posts:
Sexnotgender · 27/07/2020 08:42

Absolutely fine!! Anything after 6 is ok in my book.

angel0071987 · 27/07/2020 08:42

5 or 5.30 here everyday. No matter what time he goes to bed

BKCRMP · 27/07/2020 08:42

I'm usually on coffee 3 by 6.40am

If it works for you just smile nod and ignore

Megan2018 · 27/07/2020 08:42

Anytime from 6am is ok in my book. It’ll be 6am for us when back at work.
My parents get up about 10am though so they’ve forgotten what kids are like!

PligityPolopity · 27/07/2020 08:42

I tell my children, from about 2, it’s still night time if they wake before 7. 😬

Babyboomtastic · 27/07/2020 08:43

I think it's early, and although it does occasionally happen here, it's very much regarded as too early by both us parents and the kids. We aim for between 7:30-8, but we aren't an early to bed family either, and bed but usually somewhere between 7.30-8, though if they occasionally stay up till 10ish, to go somewhere or do something, then that's fine too.

You have more of an evening, we don't, but we've traded in morning time for more time after work with them. If it works for your family, thats all that counts.

Rewis · 27/07/2020 08:44

Every child and family has a different schedule. As long as the kid gets enough sleep and you and the child is happy with the time they go to bed then it's all good.

Original poster
elainesummers · 27/07/2020 08:44

They comment on all kinds of parenting things, either in a direct way or a more passive aggressive way like "ooooh that's early, you and your brother didn't do that" kind of way.

They know that is the time she gets up from when we stay with them.

OP posts:
eurochick · 27/07/2020 08:46

I'm puzzled as to why this is any of your parents' business or how they even know.

FWIW 6:40 sounds fine to me.

JazzaGal · 27/07/2020 08:46

Totally normal. My dc would wake early regardless of what time they went to bed. DS stopped napping at 18 months. Still gutted. That is about 12 hours so I would consider you have a good sleeper.

Now teenagers and sleep for England. I have the opposite problem and can't get them to sleep at a reasonable hour. In both situation we had rules about when they are expected to be in bed and when they allowed to leave their room. You can't make 'em sleep

Waxonwaxoff0 · 27/07/2020 08:48

My 7 year old got up at 5.15 this morning! 6.40 is fine.

LolaColaMola · 27/07/2020 08:50

I have an 8 and 5 year old, they're both up by 6am usually. 6:40 would be a lie in! 5yo is asleep by 7:30pm and 8yo asleep between 8-9pm most nights but it doesn't matter what time they go to bed, they still wake early!

5yo also has a grow clock but it's set at 6 because that's what time DH is up for work and she won't stay in bed while he is up and about but she will either get into bed with me or play with her brother.

Marmite27 · 27/07/2020 08:52

Mine get up when they hear my alarm at 5.45am.

Generally no later than 7am on a non alarm day.

pictish · 27/07/2020 08:53

Ignore them. 6.40 is acceptable.

ChaoticCatling · 27/07/2020 08:53

Mine went to bed later than that and woke up later than me, still got 11 hours which was right for him. I preferred that so I had time to myself in the morning. Not really your parents' business though.

Original poster
elainesummers · 27/07/2020 08:53

I'm puzzled as to why this is any of your parents' business or how they even know.

They know from when we stay overnight with them. I agree it's none of their business but it doesn't stop the comments.

OP posts:
oohyoudevilyou · 27/07/2020 08:54

Any time after 6.30 is normal for a 4 year old, though I also think it's OK for your parents to decline overnight babysitting if she wakes too early for them, especially if they're still working so can't nap later.

OnlyFoolsnMothers · 27/07/2020 08:54

After 6 is fine, after 6.30 is a win Grin

Hyperfish101 · 27/07/2020 08:55

God. I remember those days. DD woke regularly for ages at 5am. She then would watch telly and I would doze on the sofa. Soon changes. She’s a teen now and seldom up before 12

Original poster
elainesummers · 27/07/2020 08:55

Haha. Definitely no overnight babysitting going on. They're not really the hands on type of grandparents.

OP posts:
PrimeraVez · 27/07/2020 08:57

Yep, anything after 6am is fine with us (mine are 4 and 2, and are in bed by 7pm each night)

I guess if we put them to bed later, we might get more of a lie in in the morning, but to be honest, I prefer having my evenings to myself and during term time, we have to be out the door by 7.30am for work and school anyway.

StrictlyAFemaleFemale · 27/07/2020 08:57

No kidding!

timeforawine · 27/07/2020 08:57

Between 6:15-7:15 for my 4 year old. Though she ignores the bloody gro-clock and still comes into my room most days despite me telling her to stay in her room and play until the sun appears

Tinamou · 27/07/2020 08:58

Your parents sound really irritating! Just nod and smile and let it wash over you.

Baboutheocelot · 27/07/2020 08:59

6:40 would be amazing in this house.

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