Mum hits out at those who claim to know best
I was really offended when I read the letter in 7DAYS telling us what time we should put our children to bed. Have you ever thought about how us mums feel?
My son who is six, refuses to go to bed before 11pm as he says he can hear me moving around and it’s not fair that I’m awake when he isn’t.
I try to be quiet but with him and a new baby I have a lot to do after I’ve put them to bed, such as cleaning and washing etc.
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letter
We’re not all lucky enough to be able to afford help at home you see.
My son is tired the next day, often sleeps throughout the drive to school. I always read experts telling parents to ensure their kids have a good diet but that again, is not so easy.
My six-year-old will refuse to eat breakfast unless he gets Sugar Puffs or another sweet cereal.
He will sometimes have Weetabix if I let him have a chocolate bar after it.
It’s not easy being a parent you know.
Weathered Heather
Dubai
Comments
by AAAli1
Saturday, May 05 2012, 9:26AM
“P.S Dont have a maid either and raised 6 kids.”
by AAAli1
Saturday, May 05 2012, 9:22AM
“Is this letter a wind up. Its simple lady when I say bed it mean bed and no excuses. Its called disciplining your child and if you dont know how you should have had the kids and then complain. Grow up.”
by Becklegs
Thursday, May 03 2012, 12:30PM
“This is obviously a wind up. If not, it's clear who has got the brains in the family - the six year old!”
by mumkiwi
Thursday, May 03 2012, 10:35AM
“I can't believe you wrote this seriously. You are a adult and a parent. You are the boss and your 6 year needs to do what you tell him because he is a child and you supposedly know better. Put him to be at 7 every night. Too bad if he can hear you cleaning and moving around. Shut his door. Kids always try to push us but its our job to do whats best for them and that is getting a good nights sleep and eating a good breakfast so they can be alert and ready to learn at school.
Time for some serious changes in your household and fast.
P.S I don't have a maid either.”
by Chocs01
Thursday, May 03 2012, 9:36AM
“I'm sorry but what absolutely dreadful excuses - who is the adult in this relationship? Your son goes to bed when you tell him to - end of. Plus look at the garbage you're feeding him, talk about setting him up for major health problems. If you didn't fill him full of so much sugar maybe he wouldn't be so difficult. When I was young, if I didn't eat my breakfast, then I went to school without it - simple as that!
Hate to say it Weathered Heather but you're making a rod for your own back. If you don't sort these issues now, you're going to have a whole world of problems, especially if you let child number 2 walk all over you like this as well.”
by JosieZA
Thursday, May 03 2012, 9:35AM
“I agree that every household is different and there is no one size fits all solution for individual families. The advice from experts should be used as guidelines by parents.
However I do not understand your comment regarding household help. Having help does not guarantee you will have it easier, in fact take a look around at the families who leave the responsibilities of raising a child to the maid, not an ideal solution. I do not have help but we have a set routine which we stick to and works for my family.
In all honestly if your six year old thinks it is unfair that you are up later than him, then you need to sit him down and explain that you are the adult and he is the child. No-one every said parenting would be easy, children do not come with instructions, but it is the responsibility of their parents to set boundaries and yes that means being the "baddie" every now and again.”
by Gavtek
Thursday, May 03 2012, 9:13AM
“He's 6, if he doesn't do what he's told, punish him. It's only going to get worse if you don't grow a backbone.”
by desertdaisy
Thursday, May 03 2012, 8:51AM
“Wow who is the parent here? So what if he can hear you moving around, he is the child! He goes to bed because it is his bed time and his mother says so. Even if he stays awake lying in bed he shouldn't be up in the rest of the house with you. He is not the adult here you are. How can he learn and perform well in school if he's too tired to concentrate?
He doesn't want to eat anything other than sugary cereals? Fine, he doesn't get breakfast then. What are you doing to his health? Diabetes when he's 10, rotting teeth, a fortune in dental bills.
Being a parent isn't easy but it's your job to guide your child so that he grows up to be ethical, responsible, kind and happy. It sounds to me like your son is a brat and needs a reality check. If he doesn't do what he's told there should be repercussions, for example, warnings about what will happen, such as losing TV access ect and then following through on this. Do you think I can just do what I like at work or in society with no backlash? No, if I don't recognise the rules and act within them I will lose my job. If I steal, I will go to prison.
Grow up, become a parent and stop letting a 6 year old rule your life or stop having children.”