Not ironing your child's clothes is a sign of neglect

[Caligula]

Give me strength. My mother is here. The title is just one of her gems of wisdom. I've ended up having a "discussion" with her which basically consisted of her going through all the people she knows - au-pairs, nannies, childminders, neighbours, Auntie Bridget, Auntie Kathleen, Cousin Annie, Mrs Clark up the road, Mrs Lewis down the road, etc. etc. who all say you can tell a child is neglected by the wrinkles in their clothes, while I was reduced to saying "yeah but am I bovvered though?" "look at my face, does it look bovvered?" through this catalogue of gurus who believe that ironing = good childcare.

Roll on later on, when I'm driving her home!!!

The rebel in me is delighted to report that ds (26 months) has never worn ironed clothes. Ever. And I can't remember the last time I picked up an iron. Dp has a few shirts for the odd work meeting, and I have a couple of dresses, which we pay to have ironed as needed.

Surely hours spent unnecessarily ironing is much more akin to neglect? And if these ironing-obsessed old nags were so nurturing and non-neglecting in their parenting days, how come so few posters seem terribly fond of them?! Hmm ...

LOL
DH does all the ironing in this house- they are his shirts and he wants them ironed. The 2 weddings we have taken ds too ( hes 5 months) DH has carefully attempted to iron a tiny little shirt. Both times he sighs and says " its just too small, but its not as crumpled as it was" both times I reassure him that once ds has been in it for 10 mins it'll be covered in dribble anyway so not to worry. Bless him for trying tho.

I don't "do" ironing and am of the firm belief that an immaculate house is the sign of a wasted life. If you give clothes a strong shake when wet, they don't really need ironing (apart from linen of course).

Our DD got a toy ironing board for her 2nd birthday. She liked it so much she spent her entire birthday party pretending to iron her toys clothes! ! "Where did she learn that?", I wondered. Must be from the babysitter, as it certainly wasn't from me!

what a load of twaddle.

I have a friend who is far far more conscientious than I am and even she does not iron her son's clothes....

Firstly, using a tumble dryer unless absolutely necessary is neglect of the planet.

Secondly, polyester is the work of the Devil. All clothes should be made from cotton or linen only - and they often need ironing.

Thirdly, I discovered the magic of continuous steam ironing systems this week (after our old iron broke). Never used one before. They're the ones that have a separate tank that you fill with water and it produces loads and loads of steam that's pumped into the iron. Fantastic! Got it half price from Comet (still £60 mind).

I don't iron dd's or dh or my clothes..

I pay for someone to do it for me .!!!

Much to my mothers disgust..! Like others have said, surely the time spent ironing is neglect ..!!

i'm telling you, spritz the clothes w/water, hang them up in the bathroom whilst you have a shower.

no need for ironing.

I do iron my kids clothes, not that you can tell by the time they put them on. DS seems to think its fine to roll them up and throw on the floor while he gets washed/bathed.