At what age did you let the kids go downstairs in the morning on their own?

[Rosieeo]

Sorry if this has been done a thousand times.

Mine are too young yet (well the youngest is, they're 4 and 1) but this morning my eldest entertained my youngest in their room for 30 minutes after they woke up, giving me a blissful Saturday morning doze. It was lovely and put me in mind of the future .

So how old were yours or how old do you think is ok?

My DS was probably 5 before he would go down and watch some TV before me/DH got up. However my younger DD usually wakes up before him and it has only been recently that she would go downstairs by herself (she is now 6). About 5 is ok I think but depends on the individual child of course and other factors such as how easy it is to hear what they are up to from the pleasant drowsiness of your bedroom

I think my eldest was 3-4 (can't remember exactly). She is now 8 and entertains the 2 year old downstairs for 20 minutes or so.

I am still waiting for the day my 3 go downstairs to play or watch TV... they are almost 6,4 and 2.

One day, remember, one day, we will have to DRAG them out of bed!

Im not sure i remember.

I think it was a fluid thing. first they entertain themselves upstairs then they nag you to go down with them. then they nag you to let them go and watch tv alone and instead you get up with them. then you let them go down for a few minutes ahead of you.

I don't think there is a set age. its just when you feel they are ready i guess.

but yay for the extra 30 minutes today

ds1 rarely did - because he liked company.
But ds2 certainly did this before we moved house and we moved house when he was only just 3.

So I guess from the age of about 2.

(He's a lark. He's 11 now and still is the first to get up in the house every day.)

About 5 for my girls and 6/7 for my boys as they are the ones who get boistrous etc.. At 7 they were capable of getting a bowl of cereal and watching telly for abit!

1. He could put the video in (Thomas or Teletubbies) himself.

But initially he was on the same floor as us. A wee bit later, he was moved upstairs - but would come downstairs on his own (was always safe on stairs) and go into the living room and put a video on.

We did this this morning for a nice lie-in .

DS are 3 and 5 (nearly 6).

I went down with them and got them cereal, banana, juice and put the TV on.

And then went back up for an hour or so.

Unfortunately they didn't really eat their cereal so then started to get really ratty and started fighting.

My two watch TV on the next floor up in the mornings together they're just 4 and 22 months and have been doing it for about 4 months.
Eldest can work TV fine and I can them. They're usually up about 6 and i usually surface after a shower about 7.30.
I wouldn't let them do breakfast yet - I'd spend all day clearing up the mess!

mine was 5ish.
he is nearly 7 now but unfortunately cant be trusted for too long alone as he is a handful and i fear the house wil be burned down if he is left too long

my three 10, 5 and 3 go down and I give themn breakfast and out the telly on then go back up on a saturday

I can hear what they are doing and for a half hour or so they just eat and watch telly

then they come up and badger me to get up

my friend's children definitely used to get up and help themselves to cereal (not milk!)from 3.5 and 18months, i think.

i used to stay over at their house on a saturday night and they used to wake me up at about 6o'clock in the morning!

I don't let them. I just don't hear them. They are sneaky. I have upped the parental protection on the PC, due to dd1 getting up at 5am and You Tubing Keisha. She is 6 ffs, she is not allowed to listen to crap like that.

DS is 6 and has been doing this for about 6 months now. Gets himself breakfast and juice of a weekend and enoys Ben 10 before his sister gets up!

We are in a flat so stairs aren't an issue.

Cant remember exactly but am sure DS was getting up, having breakfast (spoons, bowls and cereal all kept in low shelves), putting a video on and staying quiet from age 3. He is 7 now and gets his sister (2) up and gets them both breakfast. I have to ask him to find out when they wake. They dont disturb us until 8-8:30ish.

This is so charming! As I remember it began at weekends, when it was all a bit more relaxed, with them bringing into us a toy, etc, DH getting up to make a cup of tea, getting them milk/juice (but not breakfast) and coming back to bed awhile, leaving them to it. I do remember that our DD progressed onto her beloved cutting, sticking, paper craft activities and would bring her work up to us for approval, her little brother would do his best to do something similiar. Then there were 4 in the bed. I do have memories of the Smurfs and CareBears (shudder)! Just not to be taken for granted but great for their development & confidence if they know what they can and should do. Bless!

DD could when she was 4, but no way would I let DS2 and he'll be 4 in July. He gets into EVERYTHING! We're working on things still, but he's just not ready for this responsibility yet.

Mine are 5 and nearly 3 at the mo and I have to say, not yet. BUT this is mainly due to the fact that we live in an ancient cottage with

• very steep stone stairs
• open fire
• Rayburn.

I think they'll need to be 16 or so before I let them

Mine are 4 & 5 and would love to go downstairs but the burglar alarm is in our room so they can't! Long may it stay that way because I dread to think what they'd get up to.