Would you send your 4yo to school if they've had a rough nights sleep??

[Mamioftwo]

Hello,

My 4yo had a rough night last night, he woke up at 2am, and had a tantrum and was crying till around 5am (has to leave for school by 8am). He gets quite cranky when he's sleepy/ half asleep. I couldn't settle him till about 5am.. :( and my 1year old was up with us.

I woke up in time to get him ready for school, but he wouldn't budge. Tried to wake him numerous times. But then I thought, is it fair to send him to school on half nights sleep? I know he wouldn't function right, and don't think it's fair on him.
He might be coming down with something, I'm not sure. He is in reception, and I know education is important but he is 4, and missing a day or half a day isn't going to cause a great deal of harm. I'm not sure what to do, but my motherly instinct tells me to let him sleep for a while. :/

Has anyone dealt with similar situations?? What did you do?

Thanks!

Personally I'd send in if not ill. But it's your child your choice.

I would and have done the same.

My ds's asthma has had him awake at least twice a night for three weeks now. Still sent him onto school, earlier nights than usual though. Crabby is an underestimation but staying home isn't really an option - routine and keeping up in class is important.

Ive kept my 4 yr old for the same thing, up in the night crying his legs were hurting, I've tried getting him up and he's saying he's tired and wants sleep so I've rang the school. If he's knackered I'd keep him off, it's one day.

'he wouldn't budge'

I'd let him sleep. Phone school and explain, and take him in when he wakes.

He’s not ill, I’d send him.

Ahh I would let him sleep and send him in later when he wakes. He is only 4, obviously if it became a regular thing you might have to rethink but as a one off it’s fine

I would have sent mine in because I was working full time and needed to save time off for days when they were really ill. Appreciate that if you're at home anyway with your 1 yo that doesn't apply. But I would still send him as 'might be coming down with something' isn't ill yet.

Don't make him into someone else's problem. He's unwell so shouldn't go in.

When you say tantrum what do you mean. Was it that when he woke up he was refusing to settle back down to sleep as he wanted to play. Or he was too upset to go back to sleep because of a bad dream, or he was in pain etc?

If the former then he would definitely be going to school. It was his own choice to stay awake, and I wouldn't want him thinking that if he did it again he would get another day off.

I would wake him up and take him in as soon as possible, just give the office a heads up that he had an unsettled night.

I would and have. With a very early night tonight.

Thanks for all the replies. I will be sending him in and have let the school know, and they were very understanding.

He went to sleep at 8pm and had a settled night till around 2am. He woke up crying, and repeating things, he threw a bottle and hit me on my face (which hurt!) .. I asked him what was wrong etc.. he just kept crying and said he wanted to sleep with me. And I said that's fine, but he stood by my door crying. Then he said he wanted his blanket, which I got for him, but that didn't calm him either. He carried on crying, till around 5am. This is the first time it's gone on for so long. He sleeps fine most nights, but occasionally wakes up agitated.

He's never woken up and wanted to play or watch tv etc..

I'm trying to get to the root of why he does that. As a family we've been going through a rough patch, and I think perhaps that's had an effect on him :( I'm a single mum too, which doesn't help.

He's awake now, and getting ready for school :)
I've explained this shouldn't happen anymore. But hey.. that's kids for you. X

I think that's a reasonable compromise OP. If the school feel during the day that he's actually becoming ill, they can always ring you to get him. And an early night tonight as pp said.

Oh bless him. In the morning, does he remember being up and agitated in the night? If not - it might be worth looking into night terrors, my DD gets these and it’s more akin to sleep walking than to nightmares - so, her eyes are open and she’ll be screaming and crying but she isn’t actually fully awake. It can be connected to them feeling anxious. Hope you all get a better nights sleep tonight!

I would definitely send him in

DD2 went through a similar kind of phase at that sort of age - it did pass and she's back to being 99% sloth like normal now.

I send mine in and just tell school don't worry about ringing me if they're visibly flagging as I'm happy to come down and get them - but my kids are usually livid at any suggestion they have to miss school as they love the place!

The last few times this happened, he didn't remember anything the next day, which led me to believe that it might be night terrors.

I know he gets anxious when he wakes up and doesn't see me there.. and that heightens his agitation. :(

I'm going to try different methods, to ensure he gets a full nights sleep. And he was fine in school today :) .. he does love his school so 👍🏼

Definitely an early night tonight!