Waking up in the Morning

Maybe I'm the weird one, but why is it a problem for her to spend time with the grandparents if the grandparents are already awake? Unless they aren't "kid people", most grandparents ENJOY the time they spend with the little one. It doesn't matter if it's not their "responsibility" to spend time with her in the morning; if they love her, it's just a normal relationship. Ask them what they'd like.

Let her know the rule - if grandparents aren't awake, she can get mommy. Or you can set an alarm.

It's another story if there is a reason that you don't want them spending morning time with her. But then why would they be spending time with you if you didn't want them around her.

I'm not sure what the problem is here. You have an alarm, right? If you know she gets up between 8 and 9, then set your alarm for 8. It's not hard. You shouldn't be trying to change your daughter's behavior - she's a normal small child. But you as the parent need to step up and be there for her so she doesn't wake your parents.

You mention needing 9-10 hours of sleep a night. That's not normal or healthy for most adults. You may want to talk to your doctor about checking your vitamin levels or doing a sleep study to see if you have apnea or another problem that is preventing you from getting a good night's sleep.

Sometimes we HAVE to make a change to make things work in our lives. Yes lots of people are not morning people but they do get up and tend to their kids. Your daughter will be 5 soon and going off to kindergarten. What are you going to do if she has an early half day session? Not all schools are full day kindergarten. You would have to get up and tend to her needs.

I suggest that you find a time frame that is agreeable with all involved. Your husband has suggested an alarm clock to get up. Get used to using it and your body will adjust to the time and be awake prior to it going off. Is there a way you could take a nap in the early afternoon to get some sleep so that you are "rested" for you night shift? You will feel refreshed when you leave for work.

Spending time with grandparents is priceless. Once you buy your own home, the grandparents won't be there to be back up for when your child is up and about. So stop depending on them and prepare for when you will be by yourself in your home.

Sleeping is nice but it sometimes gets in the way of doing other productive things. I would love to sleep for 10 hours but there are things that would get behind. There is that saying about sleeping when you are dead. Go figure.

Have a good day.

the other S.
Life is too short.

Set your alarm. That's what you need to do.

You'll need to start getting up when she goes off to school. I know it's tough to not get enough sleep, but maybe it will eventually mean going to bed earlier.

Is there a TV that is away from the grandparents and away from your sleeping area? I used to tell my dd to quiety turn on the TV until everybody else was awake. At that age, they usually have the electronics figured out.

4.5 is old enough to get up and get something to eat. She can also dress herself if you leave clothes out for her. If you want to get up when she does just tell her to wake you up.

I taught my kids not to wake me up when they got up before me. Between the age of three and four I taught them to get up, get a sippy cup from the fridge, get a snack and turn on the tv. I don't see why you need to be up when she gets up. Just show her what to do while she waits for you to get up.

Leave out a snack the night before fore her to eat. Tell her to read a book or play quietly.

The kids get up and don't wake me up, ages 2 and up. Baby, of course, I'd get up for.

We all go to bed around 8 or 9 (I'm about 9, they are 8) and get up around 7 or 8. So we gets lots of sleep. My kids don't nap though. They tend to wake earlier than I do and just play.

Not sure I understand what you're asking?

I'm it sure i get the problem. She doesn't come to get you when she wakes?

I usually am up before my kids, but on rare days that I'm still in bed, I tell them to go back to bed or play quietly. I then get up within 5 minutes.

I wish I could get 7 hours. I go to bed at 10, usually get woken by someone..then lay awake for an hour, get up with baby at 5:30, and then hopefully catch another hour before I have to get up. I need 9, but it's impossible with small kids.

I'd just like to say that I would LOVE to get up after 9 any day of the week. I have to get up at 530 to be at work at 630 and I don't get to bed until 10 most nights because I have kids that are busy...which is fine with me.

She can get her own snacks and watch TV, but really, getting up early kind of goes with the whole parenting thing. Sorry if that isn't much help, but I don't know many parents that get to sleep that late. Unless you were working an overnight shift or something.

Maybe a compromise would work out for you. Your parents probably realize that you need the extra sleep and are trying to let you sleep in on days they are there to help. You should be appreciative. Does your daughter stay home all day with them or does she leave the house and go to pre-school? If you are better rested, you will be able to better enjoy your time with her during the day before you go to work. Perhaps you could set your clock around 8:30- you would still have plenty of time to spend with her and you would be getting more sleep. Good luck!

I work graveyard shift & I can't remember the last time I had more than 6 hours of sleep in a row.

If you're that worried about it, set an alarm for yourself on the 2 days her grandparents are home.

I am not a morning person, either, but I am up by 7:30 every morning because if DD isn't up by then, I need to wake her for school. If you need to be up by x time (or you know she's up and roaming the house) then set an alarm. Otherwise, you might make a little sign for her and get one of those red/green alarm clocks. When it is green, she can leave her room and come get you.

Can't you just tell her not to wake her grandma and grandpa up? She's 4.5 - she should be able to understand and comply with that and she should be able to be up by herself for a short period of time in the morning. BTW, if you're in bed by midnight, I don't get why you can't get up at 8:00. That's 8 hours. I don't know any adult who sleeps 9 - 10 hours a night on a regular basis.