Does your 4 y/o wake you up in the morning

amother

Acacia

Sat, Nov 23 2024, 8:15 pm

I had three kids born about two years apart from each other, and when one of them was up, I (or dh) needed to be up. It was a necessity. One of them was not able to/interested in doing the okay to wake clock. When he got old enough to move into a different room in the house (maybe around age 6 or 7), the other two were finally able to wait until a certain time to wake up (at ages 4 and 2, or 5 and 3, I don't remember exactly), which made my mornings much less stressful. For the record, they were all waking up at 5-something, and there was a period where it was 4-something, and I could do NOTHING about it.

Now those kids are teenagers, and I haven't had an experience like that since. My current 4 year old has been able to "listen to the clock" for at least a year now. I don't remember exactly the age that the others did, but it was probably around 3 or 4. And yes, at that point they also know that when they come out, they are not supposed to wake us up. Often there are older siblings around, but there have been times when my current 4 year old wakes up and no one else is up yet. She sits and "reads" books or entertains herself until they wake up, probably not more than twenty mintues or so. I think I remember one time that the rest of us slept in really late, maybe it was a late night the night before, and after a while she did come to my door and tell me she wanted someone to come out and play with her, but that was understandable.

All that to say...Yes, it's normal for some kids. No, it's not doable for other kids. It's worth trying, but keep in mind that not all 4 year olds are created equal...

amother

↑ Electricblue

Sat, Nov 23 2024, 8:20 pm

tichellady wrote:

Your kids do not sound so typical honestly. Or rather there is a large range of what four year olds are capable of and you shouldn’t assume all four year olds are like yours.

Most typical 4 year olds absolutely can do this. Obviously a lot depends on the general dynamics and parenting method you use. I encourage independence, I believe my kids are capable of anything they want to do and I strongly encourage them all the time. But I can see in a house where a kid is still spoon fed, dressed, sat with to fall asleep etc. they also won’t know the concept of not leaving their room until the light indicates it. But it’s 100% an age appropriate skill and there is no reason the op should be discouraged from trying to implement this age appropriate skill.

teachkids

Sat, Nov 23 2024, 8:27 pm

We did an ok to wake clock with my oldest and she just chilled in bed till it turned green. Problem was once my kids started sharing a room- chilling in bed =waking siblings. So we started training them to quietly come out of their room. They can’t go downstairs and start their day alone though because there’s a baby gate for the toddler on the stairs. So they quietly come climb into bed with me till I’m ready to get up.

amother

Blush

Sat, Nov 23 2024, 8:38 pm

The clock worked great for us until they shared rooms, now they just play with each other in there until it’s green
I get some “how much longer” knocks but they’re happy playing until it’s green and the mornings are much more peaceful this way
I make sure to greet them super warmly once it is green if they came out once or twice before then and I sent them back

amother

Blueberry

Sat, Nov 23 2024, 8:57 pm

I'll get up, get her some food and set her up with toys or books. On a good day ( shabbos& Sunday) she'll give me a few hours, and play with a 7 yr old brother... But they still may come in at times when there are fights.
I absolutely need my sleep and am terrible morning person, I cant wrap my head around parents getting up at 6 am with their kids. ( Mine get up at 7:30-8 ) And I can't even stay up then....
When my firsts were little id let them play & wreck the house while I slept in. I paid for it later but my body that needed sleep gave me no bechira in the matter.