To leave a four year old downstairs alone for about an hour?

[downthesteps]

We have recently changed bedtime routine. DS is 4 and has eczema and it’s been recommended we limit baths. I also have a toddler and for both of them since birth pretty much the routine has been bath, teeth, books and bed. Because DS isn’t now joining in the bath routine he’s watching TV downstairs on his own. I feel awful and I asked him last night if he’d like to watch my iPad upstairs instead but he said no … Should I put my foot down?

Also front and back doors are locked key out of reach and the random comment about the microwave he can't reach

Absolutely fine.

My 4 year old would be fine doing this.

Maybe you could ask the OP why she won't engage with questions about who's told her to reduce baths when it goes against medical guidance?

Because it’s literally not the point of the post 😂

You’re staring to sound a bit nutty now.

Maybe it’s not your business? It’s not about the eczema, so go and give your “advice” to someone who is interested.

Try the medical board?

@KirstyandPhilme enough. Stop demanding someone discuss the details of their child’s medical care with you when they’ve made it clear they don’t want to do so. You are not owed that information and it isn’t necessary to address the question OP actually asked.

I was trying to help a young mum who's struggling. Having lived with eczema in my family and knowing how distressing it is, I was offering help. As was another poster - not just me.

In real life, if someone offered advice face to face, it would be an odd reaction to say 'I don't want to discuss it' when they were asking for help with a problem.

The issue is medical. If the child was still having his daily bath he wouldn't need to stay downstairs.

I don't see why you're telling me to back off- maybe you ought to be asking the OP why she's ignoring advice from charities and the NHS?

Agree with you. The eczema advice is so tedious. People seem to think all eczema is the same and an oat bath will fix it all 🙄

@KirstyandPhilme omg. The OP is listening to her own medical team and using her own experience. She does not need to take unsolicited advice from strangers on the internet just because they are insistent.

There is no way of you knowing if you're right on this one. You are clearly not a medical professional, haven't met the child and don't know anything about the kind of eczema they have or their history. You're using your own experience without any of the facts.

Just let it go. You're not trying to help, you're just being argumentative because you want to be right.

Agreed. This isn't something you should have to ask the Internet about- start trusting your judgement!

Why can't you see that the op has had medical advice and is following it? Just because daily baths works
for you or your kids that isn't the case for many others with eczema. Certainly isn't the case for my child with severe eczema. She'd claw her skin off if she were bathed daily. It's fairly evident by the amount of prescription creams, ointments, emollients,lotions, before you even get on to non prescription items, that there's different things for different skin types and different eczema types. Her child doesn't have a daily bath. End of, that wasnt whG the post is about.

It’s not ignoring them!!
For heaven’s sake, how do kids learn to occupy themselves, to daydream, to ever so gradually learn resilience if they are never given the opportunity?

But OP isn’t asking for help with the eczema problem, is she.

Personally in real if I was given unsolicited advice, I’d tell you to MYOB.

I’ve done it previously and would do it again.

If you know that he will behave in a safe way and he knows he is okay to come up and downstairs as he pleases (as long as he is safe on stairs) then I can’t see the issue, especially as he is choosing to stay downstairs

Young mum? I’m 45! Patronising much?

My 3.5yo is colouring in the kitchen and I'm sat browsing mumsnet because his brother has only just gone to sleep (they share a room). Didn't even think twice.

It must be infuriating having to try to ignore comments about elements not asked about. I would put the younger one in the bath and let the four year old watch tv and have his chill out time on his own. Then, when your getting the younger one into their pjs and having their story - the four year old comes upstairs and is on the ipad / chilling in his room so that he is there when you have done with the little one, He has some time on his own but not an hour and you're not yelling downstairs checking he is ok.

Honestly if he’s happy with having a bit of time on his own I wouldn’t worry too much!

Quite often my 3 year old takes himself off to play by himself upstairs and leaves me. If he wants me he either shouts me or comes down!

Neither child needs a bath everyday! Unless they're dirty, twice a week is fine. The skin will just dry out otherwise. Then put both of them in the same bath.

I was thinking about this post - both my kids are often downstairs whilst I have a shower - they’re 3 and 5 (nearly 6) and this has been the case since I went back to work after mat leave. Otherwise I’d never have been able to get ready for work!

I don’t know why you’re getting a hard time about not bathing the child every day. It is medical advice not to get wash the skin too often with eczema, it dries the skin. That is fact. Nobody should be washing every day actually. I would go so far as to say you’re still washing him too much, my daughter 6, bathes twice a week and I had a dr advice me to cut that down just last week. My baby bathes even less than that. Only my teen washes every day in our household.
ignore the people who are excessive. You are absolutely doing the right thing for your child by not bathing them every day.
As for being alone downstairs, 1st you could pop down after bath and dress toddler downstairs before going up for story, if it’s bothering you. But I think it’s perfectly fine. My kids are often left alone downstairs for periods of time while I do jobs, from birth! I have never batted an eyelid.

I’d just use a ring camera to keep a check on him. Sounds like he is fine

Don't be ridiculous!!!