to let my children sleep in their clothes?

[greenbananas]

It's a bad habit I've got into while we have been having building work done. We spent about three weeks without a washing machine, heating or hot water. But now, children sleeping in clothes has become a kind of routine. Putting them in pyjamas seems like a pointless hassle, when they are far more comfortable just going to bed in whatever they are wearing (minus shoes, socks and anything bulky).

Obviously, I remove anything that is food-stained or dreadfully dirty. They are only 17 months and 5 years old, so they are not very smelly yet (although my 5 year old is a bit muddy sometimes).

My children are loved and cuddled, and have plenty of play activities and attention.

My instinct says that it's okay to save on washing and stress by letting them sleep in their clothes. But sometimes I wonder if I am being borderline neglectful.

What do you think? AIBU?

[greenbananas]

Teachers wouldn't bat an eyelid because we had parents evening the other night and they couldn't praise him enough. I asked if there was anything more I could do to help him succeed at school and they said no, he was doing brilliantly. Apparently, he is polite, clever, and well behaved. I seriously doubt that the schoo would call social services wthout talking to me first.

[mom2twoteens]

I think if it's a temporary thing don't worry about it. It's no biggie in the great scheme of things. However as rabbitlady said, make sure the five year old doesn't go to school stinky, it only takes one of the stuck up kids to notice and put the word around and things will be difficult for him.

Don't stress the little things, get the work done on your house and et back to normal.

[Only1scoop]

Your dc is 5 though....you surely make the decisions regarding his bedtime routine and pyjamas....

[Rexandralpf]

I think clean clothes every day is unessessary if you wear pj's.

Also an extension with a knock through is not the same as internal building work. With an extension there is at least some seperation from the building work.

[mustbeabetterwife]

"It isn't a big issue really, just saves hassle to let them sleep in clothes."

So, you're happy to admit you ARE lazy? And what 'hassle?'

You: "DS, get changed for bed please- pj's are here."

DS: "No, I don't want to because you've let me go to bed in my uniform for weeks".

YOU: "That's not happening anymore, there's no reason for you to sleep in your school clothes. It's not very hygienic and not comfortable for you. I want you to have a good nights sleep."

Change him, say goodnight, nights out and end of story.

[BethCalavicci]

Oh, just seen your second comment where you say your children sleep in their school uniform that they're going to be wearing for the next day.
Noooo, that's seriously not nice.
FRESH clothes for the next day, surely. Yuk.

[floer]

I'd change them. Can't be comfortable to sleep in being main reason. Also can't save much on washing; I only change nightwear for fresh every other day.

[BlueJean]

I agree that children do not need to be bathed every night ,nor do they need fresh nightclothes followed by fresh day clothes every 24 hours.

And , if I was a teacher and a child in my class told me they had slept in their clothes(and I could probably tell anyway from the smell and general rumpledness) I wouldnt think too much as a one off.

I would however be extra vigilant at changing time for PE, looking at the cleanliness of the childs underclothes etc and would take mental notes of how often clothes are changed across a week or so.

If this was an ongoing theme I would be very concerned about how well a child was looked after.

[SantasLittleMonkeyButler]

TBH, I have done the same on occasions. Never in school uniform or dirty clothing but, nevertheless, I have put them to bed still dressed.

I only stopped when reading accounts of the Philpott tragedy (where 6 young children died in a house fire). One of the main reasons given for believing them to be "one of those families" was the fact that 5 out of 6 had fallen asleep in their day clothes.

[SantasLittleMonkeyButler]

I should just add, my children may have slept in their clothing - but it has always been changed the next morning!

[santaandthearmadillo]

I wouldn't do it all the time but if DD has fallen asleep in the car and it's night time she goes bed in hers, she wears leggings and top mostly so nothing to uncomfortable.

definitely not waking her up if she's been a little horror in the day too! I value the peace.

[Chippednailvarnish]

Building work is no excuse for sheer lazyness.

Your eldest child spends all day in school picking up stuff on his clothes (think about how much carpet time kids have) and you can't even be bothered to keep him and his bed clean by changing him into pyjamas. Grim.

[BethCalavicci]

Why would you put them to bed still dressed, though? Genuine question. As an adult, you've got your day clothes. Then you presumably climb into pyjamas or a nightie or a whatever,
You wouldn't crash into bed fully clothed in the clothes you've been wearing all day and then maybe wear the same day again.
You'd feel rank. So why would it be any different for kids?!

[greenbananas]

Yes, it was bulldozing the entire back half of the house. Ideally we would have moved out, but can't afford it. We have had no proper bathroom at all for months and have been washing the kids with flannels and taking them up to the in laws on Sundays for a proper clean.

Yes, it is lazy of me not to insist on pyjamas. That's what I was asking no doubt there are worse things in life than sleeping in your clothes but if this is really socially unacceptable then I will make more of an effort.

[Chippednailvarnish]

Why is social "acceptability" a reason to change them? How about your dc's cleanliness and comfort .

[Mydelilah]

I would hate to go to sleep in the clothes I've worn all day so would not want this for my children. For me, YABU. It smacks of a lack of structure and, well, 'standards' to me.

For us bath, Jim-jams, teeth and story is the bedtime routine, we enjoy it, and it would feel wrong not to do it.

[greenbananas]

They do not wear the same clothes the next day! Perhaps I wasn't clear about that. They look clean and tidy and always have clean underwear (5 year olds are not always very efficient at wiping).

[Wigglebummunch]

Really? Just because your DS is doing well at school won't stop his teacher from thinking your lazy.

[greenbananas]

They are clean and comfortable. It was the social acceptability I was wondering about. Thought aibu would be an interesting place to ask.

[cerealqueen]

The logic I usually apply is 'if I wouldn't like it, then don't expect anybody else to' So if you are sleeping in your clothes, then go with it.

[Gakkers]

Would you sleep in your clothes?

[Only1scoop]

Are they really clean and comfortable sleeping in bed clothes in clothes they have worn all day. I would think probably not the cleanest.

Glad you have decided to bring back the pj's and hope your building work finishes soon.

[MyFirstName]

Not sure if someone has mentioned this - but surely one reason for "bedclothes" is so that you do not take the dust and grime from the day into bed. Surely wearing outside clothes in bed (especially if you are living in the dust fest of a building project)is going to cause more washing (ie bed linen) rather than less.

Really? Seriously? Just to save on washing a pair of PJs once a week.

You may not be able to tell if they are a bit smelly/musty as you are a bit close (just like you cannot smell your own washing powder once you get used to it). But surely you cannot think this is fair to your children - they are wearing their school clothes for day on end with not break. Not on.

[LiberalLibertine]

YABU there is no good reason to put your muddy kids into bed in their clothes. a 5 year olds agreement does not count as a good reason

[greenbananas]

cerealqueen I sometimes sleep in what I have been wearing, minus bra, jeans etc. So yes, I feel that if it's okay for me it's okayfor my children.

We are clean, honestly!