Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Flip

1 2 3 4

Original poster

Getting up as a parent

84 replies

parentpanic · 31/12/2021 09:17

Aibu to wonder what time you get up to be with your children in the morning if they are of primary age (ie don't need constant supervision) and how long you leave them to play on their own before you get up with them?

OP posts:

Twizbe · 31/12/2021 13:34

Mine are young primary and I'm up at 5:30 on weekdays.

That's my time though, I have a shower, get ready, have my breakfast all in peace before they get up.

I'm also a massive early bird so it suits me.

BettyOBarley · 31/12/2021 13:36

We are all up together during the week at 6.30am for school.
At the weekend the kids will get up at same time and we'll get up around 8, although over Christmas it's been as late as 9 which I've felt a bit guilty about until I read this thread!
Kids are 8 & 5 and they just play Roblox together until we get up. They do pop in every now and again so I'm usually only lightly sleeping anyway.

Loudestcat14 · 31/12/2021 13:42

I'm an early bird so I'm always the first up and it is HEAVENLY. I like pottering around downstairs on my own in the quiet. OH wakes at 10 at weekends (sets alarm, so day isn't entirely wasted) and our DD12 is up anywhere between 8 and 11!

furbabymama87 · 31/12/2021 15:51

I don't like to get up any later than 8.30 on a weekend. I'll let the kids go down for half an hour before I get up but as soon as my youngest is awake, I'll have to get up. I couldn't lie in bed till midday. I'd rather just get up and do whatever needs doing and do stuff with the kids.

Hankunamatata · 31/12/2021 15:54

Later primary age kids - I stay in bed until the fighting and screaming starts

Hankunamatata · 31/12/2021 15:55

I have fondest memories of Saturday/Sunday mornings with tv to myself watching cartoons.

Flowers2020bloom · 31/12/2021 16:03

Wow this is so eye opening - mine are 8 and nearly 7 and I always get up with them at 6.30 (they are told to stay in their beds until then though it doesn't always work). I've never thought not to but maybe I will give it a go!

Strokethefurrywall · 31/12/2021 16:04

Mine are 7 & 10, they get up and sort themselves out until we get up (whenever that might be).
They get their own breakfast, play on their iPads etc.

When school is in, I’m always up first and wake them both at 6.30am. Weekends I do my own thing.

Fidgetty · 31/12/2021 18:39

This is interesting as DH's parents didnt like getting up and from a young age he and siblings were made to get their own breakfast/amuse themselves for a few hours and he is very resentful of it.

If they were otherwise good parents that's an odd thing to be resentful about?! Why would he begrudge his parents some presumably much needed sleep? If he was an only child I could see how he might be a bit bored after a bit, but with siblings? Saturday morning cartoons under a duvet on the couch with my sisters remains one of our fond childhood memories.

stargirl1701 · 31/12/2021 18:41

We tried for the first time on Boxing Day. DC are 9 and 7.

Breakfast laid out for them before we went to bed. They did fine. I think some Christmas chocolate was eaten and iPads were used in the morning (not allowed) but all was well.

Heaviestdirtyestsoul · 31/12/2021 18:45

9 and 10 year old, ten gets up around half 7, is quite capable of fixing himself breakfast and drinks, but 9 year old is SEN and is up just before 6 am, so I'm up with him. I always wonder what would happen if I left him to it, but I havnt dared to do it yet 🤣

Xmasiscancelledagain · 31/12/2021 18:47

My DS are 6 and 8. They usually come into our room if they wake up before us on the weekend or holidays. I have to wake them up for school in the week!

DH and I both tend to wake naturally by 9 anyway so it's rare we lie on for ages.

blacksax · 31/12/2021 19:12

Have you got enough replies on either of your threads yet to make it worthwhile coming back and telling us why you're asking?

itwasntaparty · 31/12/2021 19:15

Dts are 10, they still wake up at stupid o clock but play in their room until 7, come and see me and then go downstairs and get breakfast / watch tv. We get up whenever really, 930 latest.

The dog needs medication at 730am so I always get up to do that and then go back upstairs.

FateHasRedesignedMost · 31/12/2021 20:40

I get up when my 6 year old wakes, between 5am and 7am. Sometimes I’m up before him.

I think it’s nice to spend some time with kids before school, take time over breakfast and getting ready. When I was working I had to get up at 5am anyway so it doesn’t feel much of a hardship.

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 31/12/2021 20:45

I’ve got 13 and 7 yos but the 13 yo doesn’t really “look after” the 7 yo

I get up whenever I wake up if we’ve got nowhere to be. The 7 yo will probably wake me eventually.

That said, on a normal weekend we generally have to be up at 8.30 on Sat and 9 ish on Sunday for hobbies (kids on Saturday) and exercises (mine on Sunday)

nanbread · 31/12/2021 21:31

@MotherOfCrocodiles

This is so nice to hear. I am up at 6am with tinies and the thought that in a couple of years I will not have to wake up to screams of mummyyyyyyyy every day is so so heartening

Mine are almost 6 and 9 and I still have to get up with them. Thankfully these days it's rarely before 6am.

Iamuhtredsonofuhtred · 31/12/2021 21:40

You let your kids eat alone? What if they choke??? My almost 13 year old isn’t allowed to eat unsupervised!

Fidgetty · 31/12/2021 21:44

My almost 13 year old isn’t allowed to eat unsupervised!

I suggest you get help with your anxiety...

userisi2 · 31/12/2021 21:52

You let your kids eat alone? What if they choke??? My almost 13 year old isn’t allowed to eat unsupervised!

Is this a joke?

fairylightsandwaxmelts · 31/12/2021 21:57

@Iamuhtredsonofuhtred

You let your kids eat alone? What if they choke??? My almost 13 year old isn’t allowed to eat unsupervised!

Are you drunk?

Iamuhtredsonofuhtred · 31/12/2021 22:05

Was a joke yes

userisi2 · 31/12/2021 22:10

@Iamuhtredsonofuhtred oh phew, sorry it's been a long festive season 😂

Wendarl · 31/12/2021 22:15

As a parent of two under 3 (including small baby), and as I am just about to go bed on NYE knowing I’ll be up in the night and then up with them both before 6am - this thread gives me hope! Thank you for making me little more accepting of NYD tomorrow.. here’s to 2027 onwards !

Iamuhtredsonofuhtred · 31/12/2021 22:17

@userisi2

Flip

1 2 3 4