At what age would it be unreasonable to...

[TigerOnTour]

...let my kid stay up and watch a general election?

I was talking to DD about the upcoming (?) general election and she's very interested in the London Mayoral election tomorrow. At what age would it be ok to let her stay up and watch the results come in for the GE? Obviously she'll probably fall asleep by about midnight but might enjoy it! Would school think I'm terribly neglectful?

The issue is, not much tends to happen until in to the early hours.
Polling stations don't close until 10, and then they physically have to get all the ballot papers to the central counting point.
I know there are some constituencies that pride themselves on being 'the first' but it doesn't really get interesting until lots of seats are called. That tends to be later on, well into the early hours.
Now, as all voting is on a Thursday, that means getting no sleep (or a couple of hours at most) before spending the day at school.
I know students seem able to do that, but I wouldn't recommend for U18s. Possibly there would be some 6th formers ?

I stayed up all night in 1997 when I was 14. I don't remember staying up for earlier elections but my parents would have let me if I'd wanted to.

@NewName24 I know, but it's still very exciting to them!

Old enough to understand that she will feel awful the day after but will still be expected to go to school 🤣

Ds has always loved politics so I let him stay up and watch the build up to the results coming in. He has never made it as far as them actually starting yet though! This time he will be 14 so I’m expecting a long night.

Can you suggest she goes to bed at the usual time (or even a bit earlier 😉) and gets some sleep, but you will wake her when the results start coming through?

I would definitely encourage her interest in the election.
Let her stay up until she falls asleep. Deadline say 1.00am. Maybe watch a bit again in morning before school and record some for later... She will bounce back and it's a long weekend coming... I love watching news breaking.

As soon as they're interested enough to want to.

I think it is a good thing to encourage participation in politics so I would say 'see how it goes' ; reminding them that there is school the next day. It is quite dull from 10.30 to about 3.00 or so , so she is likely to fall asleep. If she is getting tired and you are up for it you could get her up a bit earlier than usual eg 5.30-6.00 to see how the progress has been. If she is 14 or older I would leave her to it.

Yes do it....!

I remember (possibly 1964) my Dad had a board and easle and a Parliamentary map which he coloured in, red, blue or yellow as the results came in. We were allowed to stay up but got a bit bored about 1:00 o'clock and went to bed. I think Harold Wildon got in, although it might have been Pitt the Younger. I don't recall.

This! It's not like it happens that often. Think my oldest was about thirteen when she wanted to do it, we got up early - she's 23 and still mentions it now! She loved it. My youngest never asked and isn't as bothered.

1997 for me too, I was 13! It was a good one though!

(I think I tried to stay up in 1992 but didn't make it too far and just got up early instead)

But yes if they're old enough to express an interest I'd let them