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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Am I out of order for this?

47 replies

JMSA · 18/02/2024 13:10

Was going to namechange for this, but can't actually be arsed.
I am a single mum of 3 daughters, two of whom are teens. My eldest daughter doesn't really have friends round, so this post relates to the teenagers.
My teens often have friends over, especially at the weekend. This could be for a sleepover, for example, or for a few hours to get ready before a night out (older teen). I am always welcoming and friendly; I take an interest in their friends' lives, make them food, sort them with drinks and snacks, etc. They seem to like me and feel comfortable in our home.
Here's the thing. I work full-time and am exhausted by the time the weekend comes around. Usually, there is one day in the weekend, where I'm in my pyjamas, Oodie or dressing gown of doom.
This has become my norm, especially as my teens no longer really want me to take them anywhere. They generally do their own thing.
I've just had a thought. Am I really weird for this, namely letting them see me 'undressed' (you know what I mean). What if I am massively different to their own mothers, and what if the friends themselves are like 'WTF is this woman all about?!'
And because they don't often see me through the week, when I'm fully functional with clothes and make-up on, does this make it worse?!
I am quite a relaxed parent, but maybe this is just too laidback to the point of embarrassing. The only thing my daughters find really embarrassing is my unicorn Oodie. It was the cheapest one on Vinted at the time, which is why I bought it Blush And although I love it, as it's so cosy, I do try to refrain from wearing it when friends are round.
Am I excessively lax and lazy? Would it be better if they had a fully dressed mum who was perhaps a less welcoming host. They're not mutually exclusive, so I guess both would be ideal Grin
Thanks for reading ... I don't know why I've suddenly started to worry about this.

OP posts:
LauritaEvita · 18/02/2024 13:47

I’m thinking back to when I was a teen and in mates houses and can’t remember what their mums were wearing! I won’t have been taking any notice of them and certainly wouldn’t have noticed/ cared if they were in pjs, house coat etc. as long as it’s not skimpy/ revealing, I’m sure they’re not arsed what you’re doing as let’s face it, we’re barely on their radar once the teen years hit 😂

vodka4mum · 18/02/2024 13:58

Knew 90% of the posters on here would tell you to get dressed

If I'm not at work I'm in PJs, often with a dressing gown loose over the top

If my kids friends have an issue with it they can hang at other people's places

ohdamnitjanet · 18/02/2024 14:02

It’s your house, you shouldn’t have to dress up because your daughters friends come round. Don’t you think their parents do the same at weekends? You sound awesome and I bet they all really like you, especially with a unicorn onesie or Oodie 😊

MermaidEyes · 18/02/2024 14:02

Seriously, I have a teen and sometimes her mates come round in their pyjamas! She goes to friends in hers. So I wouldn't worry.

Purplecatshopaholic · 18/02/2024 14:07

It’s your house. Wear what you like. Friends were always round mine when we were teens as my mum was the most laid back. No idea what she wore! Never noticed my friends mums either. Teens are generally too self absorbed to care, lol.

PegasusReturns · 18/02/2024 14:08

We always have a house full of kids and so I bought some really lovely lounge wear just for this. Sometimes- especially in evening - I don’t want to be in my tailored trousers but PJs with guests, especially young men, was beyond the limit for me so this is a good compromise.

Gymnopedie · 18/02/2024 15:05

OP you've answered your own question. Two quotes from your first post:

I've just had a thought. Am I really weird for this, namely letting them see me 'undressed' (you know what I mean). What if I am massively different to their own mothers, and what if the friends themselves are like 'WTF is this woman all about?!'

But before that you said

My teens often have friends over, especially at the weekend. This could be for a sleepover, for example, or for a few hours to get ready before a night out (older teen).

They wouldn't keep coming round if they found it uncomfortable. That you talk to them, give them snacks and drinks makes them feel welcome, not a grudging imposition. Maybe the fact that you don't feel you have to put on a show makes them feel more comfortable, not less.

They will know you work FT and will assume you don't go to work in your oodie, so look at it this way - you're teaching them that it's OK not to have to be a bandbox fresh 50s housewife all the time but to recognise that people (yes, even mothers) need downtime and perhaps that will help them in the future.

JMSA · 18/02/2024 15:12

You lot are lovely. Thanks.

OP posts:
DinaofCloud9 · 18/02/2024 15:12

Teens would tell you if they were embarrassed by your clothes. I think you're fine.

LakeTiticaca · 18/02/2024 15:15

Your are relaxing in your own home after a rough week. Nothing wrong with that. Your DDs and their friends are probably far too busy discussing the latest fashion, make up, music, boys, Instagram posts, to pay any attention to your clothes 😉

Lampslights · 18/02/2024 15:19

I don’t think you need to dress up. But I do think there is a mid ground, I do think pjs and dressing gown are a little too laid back for me unless early morning or late evening .

I’d buy leggings, jogging bottoms, hoodie or jumper and wear those, you can equally be comfy but actually not in sleep wear.

personally my mental health wouldn’t be great if I spent all weekend every weekend in pjs and a dressing gown. I’d not be arsed doing anything. I think brushing your teeth, brushing your hair, putting on clean underwear and actual day clothes does help. You couldn’t even be bothered to name change, which takes all of ten seconds.

PPTorPDF · 18/02/2024 15:20

I'm a lover of wearing pj's etc but I'd draw the line at others seeing me in them. I'd just put on loungewear, it's just as comfy.

TheSnowyOwl · 18/02/2024 15:20

Presumably your teens also sometimes go to their friends’ houses and see what their parents are like. In my experience, teenagers are very quick to point out how embarrassing their parents are so if they haven’t said anything, I’d assume you have nothing to worry about.

Mangerine · 18/02/2024 16:32

I couldn't even imagine giving this a second thought.

DrinkFeckArseBrick · 18/02/2024 16:37

It's absolutely fine. Teenagers are super critical. If they were in any way embarrassed then I'm sure you'd know about it! It's your house, you shouldn't feel like you have to dress differently for your daughters friends who probably don't take any notice anyway

NoKnit · 18/02/2024 16:38

Mazuslongtoenail · 18/02/2024 13:15

That would be too laid back for me. I think I’d be looking to get comfy clothes instead. I like soft dungarees because they’re loose and have no restrictive waistband but are still proper clothes.

Surely dungarees are only proper clothes if you are either a farmer or 2 years old?

Mazuslongtoenail · 18/02/2024 16:40

NoKnit · 18/02/2024 16:38

Surely dungarees are only proper clothes if you are either a farmer or 2 years old?

Or a middle class mum with a Breton top, doc marten’s and a nose ring.

InTheRainOnATrain · 18/02/2024 16:44

I just googled Oodie- they look like a toddler’s bath towel, I don’t really get it… But they wouldn’t keep coming round if you made them uncomfortable. Teens are notoriously self centred, even the lovely ones so bet they wouldn’t notice if you were wearing a bin bag. You could wear leggings and a sweatshirt or similar if you’d feel better if you got sort of dressed, but don’t do it for the teens!

Unexpectedlysinglemum · 18/02/2024 17:02

I feel really sluggish in my dressing gown

clairelouwho · 18/02/2024 17:10

It's your house.

Wear what you want. I'm fairly certain that teens don't give a crap what you're wearing.

luckylavender · 18/02/2024 17:22

I think if it was out of order then your teens would have let you know by now

LoveAHamSandwhich · 18/02/2024 19:33

luckylavender · 18/02/2024 17:22

I think if it was out of order then your teens would have let you know by now

They did let her know.

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