Reasons why curtains should be opened ...

[crimboAkimbo]

I've been trying for several years to train my teen to open his bedroom curtains in the mornings. It's not a huge issue, but I don't think it's an unreasonable thing to aspire to is it?

Thing is, his bedroom is at the back of the house and he doesn't go in it much between getting dressed in the morning and getting undressed at the end of the day. So, being in possession of a hyper-logical teenage brain, he just doesn't see the point.

Whenever this comes up (regularly) I have to go round the "but why?" loop, so I trot out the same old arguments - it's the respectable thing to do, it's good training for the future when you're living with other people, it's simple and I've asked you to do it so why not, it's my house and my rules, no play-station till they're open, etc etc. However, clearly none of these arguments are clinching enough to drive a permanent change of habit.

Any advice? (I know I will get "stop worrying about it and give him a break" but I'm hoping for some more positive steers too).

I don't know anyone who faffs around every day opening and closing all of their curtains

It's a.genuine MN parallel universe moment.

So that the room and the bed can be aired(it's supposed to help knock the number of dust mites that live in a mattress down so some of the experts say)it's something we've always done in the bedrooms,opened the curtains and blinds,opened some windows and pulled the duvets back for a while,it does seem to help our 2DC that are asthmatic.

Hygiene -- airflow to disperse condensation from breath and humidity from sleep and body sweat. Sunlight also cleans air and freshens it. He should also tap open the window either for a specified period to exchange air or open and lock as some windows allow till he returns home and he closes. Again air exchange and freshness

Pick your battles op. If you want them open so badly open them yourself, it really doesn't matter.

You will not lie on your death bed wishing you had spent more time caring about what others think.

Opening the curtains lets in a small amount of UV, which kills potentially nasty microorganisms. It also stops damp & mould forming where air gets trapped behind the curtains.

If you try persuading him it's "respectable" or use the "my house, my rules" approach he's less likely to comply: I certainly wouldn't have responded positively to those arguments at his age. If there's one thing I've never wanted to be - and no self-respecting teenager would aspire to be - it's "respectable".

I think people misunderstood my point about not knowing anyone who faffs about opening and closing their curtains every day, mine are permanently open not permanently closed! The only time they get closed is if there's a glare on the TV, then I open them again later. I live in a flat so no concerns about people looking in, if I had a lounge on a street where others could see in I'd draw them just so strangers weren't watching me watching TV.

But I literally can't see what I'd have to gain from closing my curtains at night, with concerns about others looking in removed. What would that achieve?

But I literally can't see what I'd have to gain from closing my curtains at night, with concerns about others looking in removed. What would that achieve?

A better nights sleep, for most people, especially in summer in northern latitudes.

It's one thing if you are high enough for nobody to be able to see inside.
I still prefer the look of my curtains at night when the lights are on, than a black window. It looks more cosy with the curtains on. It is much warmer in the winter, and much darker in the summer, so I agree, a much better night sleep.

Being in a house, no choice anyway. On one side anyone walking in the street could see inside, and on the garden side we could be seen by anyone trespassing without us noticing them, my dogs are not the most efficient guard dogs in the world.

A Hobbit house would be so cool.

I honestly open the back blinds if I get spooked, otherwise I'm happy with it being relatively dark. This will change when summer comes I guess and glorious sunshine can fill the house.

Haven't rt whole ft, so sorry if it's been said. Because people will think someone has died.

I very rarely open my bedroom curtains, bit the window is always open. No mould or damp.

But I don't spend time in my bedroom in the day. I get up, get dressed, go downstairs. After work I get changed. Next time I go in I'm going to bed. Don't see the point in opening them as everytime I go in I'd have to close them again.

I don’t open ours every day! We’re overlooked at the back so getting back to the bedroom from the shower is awkward and I usually forget by the time I’m dressed and heading out to work!

I too feel very jittery about curtains closed during the day. Just hate it, and also have to sit on hands and not open mil's curtains all the way, rather than sort of half way like she does it, when we're visiting.

In older, less well heated houses, it was essential to air the bed and open the curtains. The backs of the curtains will grow mould if they don't get moved and opened to allow damp air to escape.

The mattress and sheets will grow mould if the bed isn't aired.

Sadly I know this from experience.

My mum used to tell me that the sunlight killed bacteria. No idea if that's true. I feel like rooms smell if they don't have the curtains opened.

Light kills thread worm eggs. Open curtains and window every day.

Have to have curtains and bedroom and batheoom windows open every day. Can't abide a stuffy bedroom.

Downstairs, curtains are opened and closed every morning/evening. And windows too if necessary.

My DH thinks my window-open habit is bonkers. I maintain it's healthy.

We don't open ours... mainly due to VERY nosy neighbours!

God I hate curtains closed in the day. Makes me feel grubby. My kids would leave the living room curtains shut 24 hours a day if it was up to them.
Remove curtains in his room if her refuses to open them. Wait til summer when it is light at 4.30. He'll soon agree to open them in the morning

The house at the back of me hasn't opened their front bedroom curtains in the 14 years I've lived here !! Scutters 😂😂

I like all mine open to ‘let the day in’. Feel really funny about it if I’ve rushed out and forgotten - usually in winter months if it’s still dark when I go out. I like the sunshine in the house.

It has never crossed my mind that other people wouldn't open and close their curtains every day. It just seems such a normal thing to do. Actually, I now remember one family near where I lived as a child who never opened the curtains but I think there were some serious mental health issues.
It would be like living in a cave if the curtains were closed in the daytime.

Scutters Not heard that in a while, but it's exactly what my DM would have said.

We don't open ours... mainly due to VERY nosy neighbours!

There are ways run that though such as slatted blinds or patterned window film that looks like etched glass.

DS has his curtains shut as he has sensitivity to light (ASD). I open his window when he’s at school and close again before he’s home. He has a fan too for white noise to sleep and I put that on to circulate air. I don’t make an issue out of it. We have far bigger problems.