If someone turned up at your house right now would you be happy to let them in?

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DHs friend has just turned up to the house to pick up DH. The house is an utter mess (we have two young DC, got back from holiday yesterday and I wasn't expecting anyone). His friend needed the toilet so he had to come in. DH then decides he needs the toilet so said to friend to go into living room. I was mortified but couldn't say anything. Aswell as being a mess DD is potty training and has recently split some milk onto the sofa so it definitely is not the nicest smelling room of the house. His poor friend didn't even take a seat then said it's ok I'll wait in the car. I feel so embarrassed DH thinks I'm overreacting and that friend also has young DC so his house will probably be the same.
I'm not so sure and wondered what others houses are really like. In particular if you have young DC if someone turned up right now would you be happy to let them in?

Yes. My house is always tidy. Usually toys on the floor from DS playing. Usually tidy them up at nap time and bed time.

I hate people turning up uninvited and wouldn't do that to others either.
My house is tidy but I am simply an anti social misery who prefers my own company and that of my family

Omg this happened to me last week! DH’s friend stays near us and was going to watch the football with DH. I hadn’t in any way foreseen that this could result in him being in our house. It was a bomb site and I mean BOMB SITE 🤦🏼‍♀️ His friend came to the door while DH was out a walk with the dogs. I immediately thought ‘oh shit, where is he?’. I was stalling on the door step as much as possible saying he’s just nipped out with the dogs, he’s probably about to appear back. I must have seemed so rude because he ended up saying he would just meet him down there then. DH then appeared just as he was about to leave and he came in to wait on him getting ready. I was pathetically trying to lift the most embarrassing things up and get them out the road but there was no saving it. He doesn’t have kids so has probably just come from a spotless house with a rota system for the cleaning 🙈 Was mortified! We’ve moved house too and our bathroom guests would use is now our main bathroom with bath etc. Previously we had a little cloakroom toilet so there was no fear of mess being in there. Now I get the fear at someone arriving unexpectedly and there being clothes all over the bathroom floor 🤦🏼‍♀️

Yes, because it's always as close to immaculate as I can muster... but at the cost of my mental health / sanity. I never get a minute to rest, I've two small children and I'm constantly running after them, putting toys away, washing a cup as soon as it's used, Hoover twice a day and so on. I wish I didn't give a shit to be honest, it's a bit of a miserable way to live sometimes. But if I let it go (rate, maybe a day at most) I literally can't sleep. I have to get up and tidy everything before I can go to bed. So... yeah that's that.

I hasten to add, I don't care at all when I go to friends houses and they are a mess, I barely even clock it, I'm just glad to see them.

Yes, my house is always presentable, just me and a teen here so it’s really easy compared to having young kids.

I've been out all day doing a ‘hobby’ that shall not be named 🤣, just got in and my dinner is in the oven.

So visitors welcome I wouldn’t share my pre dinner revels though!

Took an emergency nap earlier due to illness (took the 4yo with me and left older two watching a film). House was an absolute shit tip and you couldn't see the living room carpet due to lego.

Woke up and MIL was here I love my MIL and she has a key, given willingly by me but I did feel like a shitty parent. MIL, bless her, said she'll take the kids for me and told me I should have called her as I was poorly etc. Anyone else wouldn't have got over the threshold though. My house is not visitor friendly this weekend.

@isthenewsuff

A knock on the door is responded to by me diving to the floor and army crawling out of sight.

Attagirl! My bell is broken and I've not had it fixed plus my blinds are set to let in light but no nosey person can see in. Jolly useful during the recent local elections canvassing... 🌹

Haha...I'm preparing for this - sounds heavenly actually!

Downstairs always fine and bathroom but my bedroom can get quite messy but I keep the door closed.putting away laundry is my nemesis.,

@Ticksallboxes... it's wonderful. We were always the teen hangout, seems like that is continuing. Does mean we need to keep pizza in the freezer.

My FIL is due to pop round today and I can’t be arsed to clean this shit tip. My back is killing and I’m tired after a shit nights sleep. He will definitely judge me but I’ve lost the will to give a monkey’s arse.

Pretty much yes. I tidy for guests and the cleaner.

Maybe 2 others points at random during the week the house is also tidy (where I've put away the toys and recently done the kitchen)... Usually I only have time for one or the other

No, there isn’t actually anywhere to sit down in the front room. There’s cuddly toys and books and sheets of paper covering the settee (DC2 was sitting on it until a few minutes ago but I am not sure how), I am sitting on the armchair which has biscuit crumbs on one arm and a damp towel on the other. There are toys on the floor and it needs vacuuming. The other issue with someone unexpectedly dropping round is it’s after 9am and none of us are dressed. I am failing at life and parenting, but will try to do some tidying and vacuum today.

Yes my place is usually pretty tidy, I'd be unlucky for someone to catch it looking a bin (downstairs that is, upstairs is a different story!) But no because I hate people rocking up unannounced!

No, but mainly because I'm on holiday and it would be weird.

The house varies between pristine and oh-dear-Lord-there's-been-a-natural-disaster. My friends don't appear to care. I grew up with an extremely tidy house and if I lived on my own it would still be like that. DH, DC and pets are an impediment to tidiness standards!

Yeah no problem. There's washing up piled up in the kitchen and the blankets and cushions on the sofa need straightening up but that's just normal.

I’d let them in but be a bit embarrassed because all dc are on screens at the mo and there are toys everywhere. Obviously failing at getting them to tidy up before moving on to something else!

I try to keep the house clean for me rather than guests but mess is inevitable with dc around.

You’ve just prompted me to fold the sofa blankets and clean the downstairs loo, thanks!

I hasten to add, I don't care at all when I go to friends houses and they are a mess, I barely even clock it, I'm just glad to see them.

I will take that one step further and say I prefer it when friends' houses have a certain level of mess. It means I can relax and not worry when they come to my house. An absolutely pristine and stylish home doesn't have the same effect.

Yes. I always keep it clean tidy and hoovered.
Weve had people turn up when theres just been the carnage of a meal time, or toys everywhere etc. I do get in a flap about it but it's not the end of the world. A home has to be lived in

If they stayed downstairs, yes. If not, no. I have a 4 month old so although he doesn't create mess yet, I can't easily tidy and clean the mess me, DH and the cats (litter scatters everywhere!) make. I managed to make downstairs look reasonable during baby's first 45 minute nap of the day, but that's as far as I got.
I think your own mess does look worse than other's. My siblings have young children and I never walk into their homes thinking anything if the chaos😄until now you've made me think about it!

My place is neat and tidy at the moment, but I’m not letting anyone in at this hour. Unless I’m expecting them.

I am one of those people who doesn’t answer the door unless it’s necessary.

I live on my own and the house is always OK as long as visitors stay in the front part of the houses - living/dining room/kitchen/family bathroom.

Well-mannered folk wouldn't let themselves into the downstairs bedrooms - one tidy, one a dump.

Yes. They would be very welcome.
Been slowly decluttering for years. Much improved from perviously.

Yes, wouldn't be a problem. I'm a clean and tidy freak and we have no clutter, very minimalist.

I hoover upstairs and down every day, always have done, so it's good to go here at any time.