Can you rest while supervising a 5-year-old?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you have a 5-year-old, do you ever sleep while watching them, or at this age is that considered unacceptable?

I’m a high school student who watches a 5 year old girl twice a week (Tuesdays and Thursdays) for three hours. I get 5–6 hours of sleep most nights, and feel really tired, and think 20–30 minute nap would really help me, get through the rest of the day, but I’m not sure if that’s okay while with a 5 year old.

Would it be acceptable at this age if the child is in the same room, watching a show or playing with toys, or is that generally considered unsafe or inappropriate?

What hours are you watching her? A five year old should be in bed by 8 pm. So if you watch her from.3 pm to 6 pm, how does this interfere with your sleep? If you are watching her from m 8 pm to 11 pm then you should quit

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Only acceptable if you are watching them for free. Otherwise a big no no.

It is not acceptable for a sitter to sleep if a five year old is awake!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you have a 5-year-old, do you ever sleep while watching them, or at this age is that considered unacceptable?

I’m a high school student who watches a 5 year old girl twice a week (Tuesdays and Thursdays) for three hours. I get 5–6 hours of sleep most nights, and feel really tired, and think 20–30 minute nap would really help me, get through the rest of the day, but I’m not sure if that’s okay while with a 5 year old.

Would it be acceptable at this age if the child is in the same room, watching a show or playing with toys, or is that generally considered unsafe or inappropriate?

What hours are you watching her? A five year old should be in bed by 8 pm. So if you watch her from.3 pm to 6 pm, how does this interfere with your sleep? If you are watching her from m 8 pm to 11 pm then you should quit

You need to read more closely. OP isn't getting enough sleep at night, and wants to nap during the day while she's watching this kid to make up for it. Either she's stretching herself too thin or her family is taking advantage of her.

[Anonymous]

No

[Anonymous]

OP, tell your sibling that you can’t safely watch your niece. You need the time to do homework so you can get to sleep easier.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you have a 5-year-old, do you ever sleep while watching them, or at this age is that considered unacceptable?

I’m a high school student who watches a 5 year old girl twice a week (Tuesdays and Thursdays) for three hours. I get 5–6 hours of sleep most nights, and feel really tired, and think 20–30 minute nap would really help me, get through the rest of the day, but I’m not sure if that’s okay while with a 5 year old.

Would it be acceptable at this age if the child is in the same room, watching a show or playing with toys, or is that generally considered unsafe or inappropriate?

What hours are you watching her? A five year old should be in bed by 8 pm. So if you watch her from.3 pm to 6 pm, how does this interfere with your sleep? If you are watching her from m 8 pm to 11 pm then you should quit

3 to 6pm.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:100% NO you are being paid to watch a child. What if the child left the house or lit a piece of paper on fire.

I’m not getting paid—she’s my niece, which I should’ve mentioned. I asked other parents what they do with their 5-year-olds and was wondering if she’s old enough.

Only you can decide. Imagine the permanent fracture in your family you would create if you slept while she had an serious accident.

But you should be able to tell your aunt and uncle that you are a busy high schooler and cannot watch her anymore.

This especially since they are taking advantage of you! You should be paid a minimum of $50 for 3 hours.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:100% NO you are being paid to watch a child. What if the child left the house or lit a piece of paper on fire.

I’m not getting paid—she’s my niece, which I should’ve mentioned. I asked other parents what they do with their 5-year-olds and was wondering if she’s old enough.

Only you can decide. Imagine the permanent fracture in your family you would create if you slept while she had an serious accident.

But you should be able to tell your aunt and uncle that you are a busy high schooler and cannot watch her anymore.

She would not get into anything or leave the house, she’s a smart 5 year old, and listens well, but I won’t do it.

She’s my siblings child, not an aunt/uncle.

Many people think their 5 year old won’t get into anything and sadly many people are proven wrong, often with tragic consequences.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:100% NO you are being paid to watch a child. What if the child left the house or lit a piece of paper on fire.

I’m not getting paid—she’s my niece, which I should’ve mentioned. I asked other parents what they do with their 5-year-olds and was wondering if she’s old enough.

Even if it's free - you are NOT a parent. Parents have way, way more information about the temperament of the child, the risks in the household, are way more attuned to the child, and in general have way more information and essentially resources that might make napping while their kid is playing a safe choice.

You are NOT a parent. What parents do is NOT relevant. A babysitter (paid or unpaid) does not nap on the job. Period.

I think what parents do matters here—I'm her aunt, so I’m close enough to have some insight into her situation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:100% NO you are being paid to watch a child. What if the child left the house or lit a piece of paper on fire.

I’m not getting paid—she’s my niece, which I should’ve mentioned. I asked other parents what they do with their 5-year-olds and was wondering if she’s old enough.

Even if it's free - you are NOT a parent. Parents have way, way more information about the temperament of the child, the risks in the household, are way more attuned to the child, and in general have way more information and essentially resources that might make napping while their kid is playing a safe choice.

You are NOT a parent. What parents do is NOT relevant. A babysitter (paid or unpaid) does not nap on the job. Period.

I think what parents do matters here—I'm her aunt, so I’m close enough to have some insight into her situation.

If you already know the answer, why did you feel the need to ask?

Clearly you were hoping people would tell you it's okay, but it isn't. Because you are not the parent. If anything bad happened it would ruin your family relationships.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:100% NO you are being paid to watch a child. What if the child left the house or lit a piece of paper on fire.

I’m not getting paid—she’s my niece, which I should’ve mentioned. I asked other parents what they do with their 5-year-olds and was wondering if she’s old enough.

Even if it's free - you are NOT a parent. Parents have way, way more information about the temperament of the child, the risks in the household, are way more attuned to the child, and in general have way more information and essentially resources that might make napping while their kid is playing a safe choice.

You are NOT a parent. What parents do is NOT relevant. A babysitter (paid or unpaid) does not nap on the job. Period.

I think what parents do matters here—I'm her aunt, so I’m close enough to have some insight into her situation.

If you already know the answer, why did you feel the need to ask?

Clearly you were hoping people would tell you it's okay, but it isn't. Because you are not the parent. If anything bad happened it would ruin your family relationships.

I asked because I didnt know whether parents of 5 year olds sleep while their child is awake. What age is that okay?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:100% NO you are being paid to watch a child. What if the child left the house or lit a piece of paper on fire.

I’m not getting paid—she’s my niece, which I should’ve mentioned. I asked other parents what they do with their 5-year-olds and was wondering if she’s old enough.

Even if it's free - you are NOT a parent. Parents have way, way more information about the temperament of the child, the risks in the household, are way more attuned to the child, and in general have way more information and essentially resources that might make napping while their kid is playing a safe choice.

You are NOT a parent. What parents do is NOT relevant. A babysitter (paid or unpaid) does not nap on the job. Period.

I think what parents do matters here—I'm her aunt, so I’m close enough to have some insight into her situation.

If you already know the answer, why did you feel the need to ask?

Clearly you were hoping people would tell you it's okay, but it isn't. Because you are not the parent. If anything bad happened it would ruin your family relationships.

I asked because I didnt know whether parents of 5 year olds sleep while their child is awake. What age is that okay?

It depends on the child, how responsible the child is to make good choices and not do anything unsafe. But 5 is too young for any child in my opinion.

You can ask the parents if it is okay with them. If you're too embarrassed to ask, then you shouldn't be doing it because you know in your heart it's not safe.

[Anonymous]

You need more sleep. Why are you getting so little sleep at night?

If you have too much on your plate already to the point it is interfering with sleep, then you shouldn't be babysitting

[Anonymous]

As a parent, I only napped while my kid napped.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:100% NO you are being paid to watch a child. What if the child left the house or lit a piece of paper on fire.

I’m not getting paid—she’s my niece, which I should’ve mentioned. I asked other parents what they do with their 5-year-olds and was wondering if she’s old enough.

Even if it's free - you are NOT a parent. Parents have way, way more information about the temperament of the child, the risks in the household, are way more attuned to the child, and in general have way more information and essentially resources that might make napping while their kid is playing a safe choice.

You are NOT a parent. What parents do is NOT relevant. A babysitter (paid or unpaid) does not nap on the job. Period.

I think what parents do matters here—I'm her aunt, so I’m close enough to have some insight into her situation.

If you already know the answer, why did you feel the need to ask?

Clearly you were hoping people would tell you it's okay, but it isn't. Because you are not the parent. If anything bad happened it would ruin your family relationships.

I asked because I didnt know whether parents of 5 year olds sleep while their child is awake. What age is that okay?

It depends on the child, how responsible the child is to make good choices and not do anything unsafe. But 5 is too young for any child in my opinion.

You can ask the parents if it is okay with them. If you're too embarrassed to ask, then you shouldn't be doing it because you know in your heart it's not safe.

Okay, since she’s too young now, I’ll wait until she’s older.