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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To let 5 year old watch tablet in bed

46 replies

Sheend · 15/08/2022 19:59

So we have just been on holiday and my 5 year old DD has now got into the habit of watching the tablet to go to sleep, my one year old is really difficult to get to sleep too. Should I just choose the easy option even though we have got this far without it?

OP posts:
SafeHeaven · 15/08/2022 20:01

My children both have the iPad in bed. It automatically turns off at a set time. Bath time is less messing, as they want their iPad in bed.

it also stops them messing about after they have gone to bed.

Flapjack637 · 15/08/2022 20:04

YABU. It’s just lazy parenting. Research the effect screens can have on children and their sleep.

MrsOwainGlyndŵr · 15/08/2022 20:04

How about reading them a story instead?

winterlilies · 15/08/2022 20:05

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Miriam101 · 15/08/2022 20:05

I think you know the answer to this as you know it's the easy option- not the best option

Orangesare · 15/08/2022 20:05

How do you get it to turn off automatically?
my two year is watching the gruffalo for a bit as we are on holiday and all routines have gone to pot

GreatBigExpectations · 15/08/2022 20:05

The light of devices like this is not conducive to feeling sleepy.

Be the parent. Read them a book or something.

Whattodooo90 · 15/08/2022 20:05

No that’s just lazy.

Original poster
Sheend · 15/08/2022 20:06

I do read stories every night. I have took it away tonight but wasn’t sure if I was being cruel. Thank you

OP posts:
Original poster
Sheend · 15/08/2022 20:08

Yes we Let DD watch the tablet on holiday but Now we are home I wanted to get back to our old routine.

OP posts:
MoistBandana · 15/08/2022 20:09

Some people, not all people, are affected by the light screens give off.
There's limited evidence that proves the claim of people trying to flog orange glasses.

Give them the tablet, but prop it up somewhere and stick a Netflix film on for them to lie and relax with.

Covetthee · 15/08/2022 20:09

what tablet is it?

if its an apple product you can change the light setting so its not the ‘blue’ light in the back that affects your sleep. You can set the time on it so it comes on automatically

I personally fall asleep with tv or ipad myself so i don’t see an issue with it personally and no one else has to deal with your kids so its easy to say its ‘lazy parenting’ to give in.

Invasionofthegutsnatchers · 15/08/2022 20:11

As a teacher I say no, there are so many consequences to late bedtimes and unregulated Internet access. Just my opinion

NannyR · 15/08/2022 20:17

What about an audiobook instead? I would be concerned that watching a screen would make it difficult for them to drop off to sleep and get good quality sleep.

Moonandstar5 · 15/08/2022 20:18

No! It’s easy to get in the habit, but you’ve gone so far without it. All that hard work would go down the toilet. Their behaviours will change, they get more cranky and irritable. It’s easy now but please don’t do it! Just tell them it’s a holiday treat. Bring them back to reality and their normal routines. I. The long run they’ll be much better off! You know deep down what the best thing to do.

Rowen32 · 15/08/2022 20:23

Please no, its such a terrible habit - screens are so bad for kids and to be using it right before sleep is awful, you did the right thing

VestaTilley · 15/08/2022 20:30

That is terrible parenting and an awful habit. Tablets shouldn’t be allowed in children’s rooms full stop. Poor little girl, falling asleep to a tablet.

Read her some bedtime stories, sing some nursery rhymes, stroke her hand and kiss her good night like the rest of us do.

Original poster
Sheend · 15/08/2022 20:34

@VestaTilley I have just told you that I took it away as it felt like the right thing to do, I have read and sang to my DD every night since she was born, there is nothing poor about her. It was a treat for on holiday, I just wanted to know if I was being cruel taking it away, take your judgy pants off mother of the year.

OP posts:
BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 15/08/2022 20:34

It's such a bad habit. We don't really have much screentime restriction etc but no screens at or after bedtime is literally rule one of two.

Mine have always been given a bedtime story then they have a lamp and can look at their books til they feel sleepy. Dc1 is 10 and still has the same rule. At some point we will allow devices up to bed til (say) 9pm on school nights, but that's at least another year off.

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 15/08/2022 20:35

VestaTilley · 15/08/2022 20:30

That is terrible parenting and an awful habit. Tablets shouldn’t be allowed in children’s rooms full stop. Poor little girl, falling asleep to a tablet.

Read her some bedtime stories, sing some nursery rhymes, stroke her hand and kiss her good night like the rest of us do.

Harsh. The OP has only done it on holiday and is asking advice on it.

A terrible parent wouldn't even ask and wouldn't have waited til holiday to start.

weemouse · 15/08/2022 20:56

You're making yourself sound a bit clueless with the "is it cruel if I take it away" comment.
Of course it's not cruel ffs!

She is 5, it was a treat ok holiday, back home now, back to the usual routine. You are the parent, you explain this, and that's that.

It is definitely lazy parenting for kids this young to have access to iPads, whether on holiday or not. So many other nice things to be doing together.

Leave the iPad for another few years, she really doesn't need it at all.

QueenOfWeeds · 15/08/2022 21:00

There are reports of use of tablets in children causing short sightedness, as well as other issues for their eyes. This from Specsavers is quite a good overview.

LydiaBennetsUglyBonnet · 15/08/2022 21:03

God the perfect mum brigade are out tonight 😂 just let them have it. Sometimes you have to do whatever makes the night easier

MumUndone · 15/08/2022 21:07

Poor sleep hygiene

Youcancallmeirrelevant · 15/08/2022 21:08

SafeHeaven · 15/08/2022 20:01

My children both have the iPad in bed. It automatically turns off at a set time. Bath time is less messing, as they want their iPad in bed.

it also stops them messing about after they have gone to bed.

This is what we do or 4yo dd, and she sleeps 12 houra a night and bedtimea are peaceful. Story first, then quiet time with kindle then music to go to sleep