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AIBU?

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Original poster

Can't get to sleep & got to be up at 430am for driving job

59 replies

Valerie65 · 06/04/2023 01:03

My son has got to be up at 430am to get ready for work as a delivery driver for a supermarket. This is only a filler job until he goes back into the armed forces it's only his second week.
He went to bed early enough & has done everything he can to try to get to sleep but at 1am he's still awake. Should he ring in sick or try to tough it out? He will not have had nearly enough sleep to be driving around from 6am til 2pm. It's worrying me a lot.

OP posts:
AgrathaChristie · 06/04/2023 01:09

Can he try a sleep app or BBC Sou SS do the Sleeping Forecast. He can also try counting down from 20, one number to each out breath.
But I think probably 3 hours sleep isn’t enough for driving.

HappiDaze · 06/04/2023 02:30

He'll be fine

LHReturns · 06/04/2023 02:33

He has to get on with it.

FranksOcean · 06/04/2023 03:23

he’s an adult let him sort it out for himself 🙄

lovemelongtime · 06/04/2023 03:25

Am guessing he's not 5 ? Let him crack on with it, same as any of us.

LHReturns · 06/04/2023 03:26

And why are you still awake OP?

FranksOcean · 06/04/2023 03:27

LHReturns · 06/04/2023 03:26

And why are you still awake OP?

Checking in on him every 5 mins probably lol

EDelafield · 06/04/2023 03:29

I think her point is that it’s dangerous to drive with sleep deprivation. I’m not sure why people aren’t getting that.

FranksOcean · 06/04/2023 03:30

EDelafield · 06/04/2023 03:29

I think her point is that it’s dangerous to drive with sleep deprivation. I’m not sure why people aren’t getting that.

We get that obviously! But he’s an adult what can she do 🤷🏻‍♀️ it’s his responsibility

LHReturns · 06/04/2023 03:35

EDelafield · 06/04/2023 03:29

I think her point is that it’s dangerous to drive with sleep deprivation. I’m not sure why people aren’t getting that.

Welcome to the real world…

Valerie65 · 06/04/2023 03:52

This reply has been deleted

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FranksOcean · 06/04/2023 03:53

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Rude! Lol

lottie2888 · 06/04/2023 03:56

I would probably say go in and drink some energy drinks. It’s not ideal obviously but not sleeping is probably partly because of anxiety about getting up and if he doesn’t then the next time it will happen again.
if it’s to much after an hour or so of work he can always go back and say he is unwell.
thets what I’d suggest anyhow- while being on pins all day.

LHReturns · 06/04/2023 04:02

Well then tell him to stay home in bed and let down his employer who is depending on him.

woketwatism · 06/04/2023 04:17

He could go in and if he feels too tired during the day he could say he isn't feeling well perhaps.
I have terrible sleep pattern but sometimes I'm not tired the next day.

Snowjokes · 06/04/2023 04:24

He’s the only one who can say whether he feels safe to drive.

I’d have been fine doing this age 18-25. Now 3 hours sleep has me barely functioning.

Friarclose · 06/04/2023 04:27

He can't call in sick every time he doesn't sleep well. If hes younger than 25 he should be OK.

pinkpotatoez · 06/04/2023 04:33

Instead of being up contemplating calling in sick he could have fell asleep by now. We all have nights like this, you just have to crack on with it, if he feels he can't function when he gets to work then he'll have to go home

Pattydale · 06/04/2023 04:35

I wide awake too but wouldn't be considering my showing up for work. I'm sure he'll be ok and can make plans to sleep better for future nights

JMSA · 06/04/2023 04:57

The night before a new job is ALWAYS a dreadful sleep. I can understand your concerns, OP. If he can push through, that's better than taking his first day off. And he'll be more tired tomorrow night, so this is unlikely to happen again.
Good luck in his new job!

HarlanPepper · 06/04/2023 05:13

He'll be OK. It's obviously not ideal but it sounds like it's not solid driving from 6-2, it'll be short trips, in and out of the van, speaking to people, carrying stuff, using the sat nav etc. Unlikely he'll fall asleep at the wheel. It would be different if he hadn't slept for 2 nights on the trot but he'll be fine for this morning.

nomoremerlot · 06/04/2023 05:19

A grown man and member of the armed forces needs to check with his mum?

Obki · 06/04/2023 05:42

Meanwhile there’s another thread where a 19yo girl is doing 4am - 1pm shifts with only 3-4 hours sleep with no complaints. 🤷🏻‍♀️

BookishBabe · 06/04/2023 05:48

My DH has depression and insomnia. He gets around 2 to 3 hours sleep at night he has to leave for work at 3:30am and manages to drive safely.
He still has to go to work, he tired when he's driving, he's always tired but not drifting off while driving, sitting on the sofa or any other normal activities.

goyuwer · 06/04/2023 05:55

Don't they often do nights in the field from basic army training with very minimal sleep over a few days.