Should I cancel a play date because I can't be bothered to tidy the play room?

[mummyloveslucy]

Hi, my 5 year old daughter has two friends comming on tuesday after school.
We have a play room up stairs which they always go into to play. I've tried telling them it was out of bounds before when it was messy, but they still went up there.
It has got worse since then as it's kind of been used as a dumping ground over Christmas, for ironing, toys, endless books and DVD's that my husband keeps buying and meaning to sell. I really can't be bothered to tackle it today. Should I cancell the play date?
I could bring a load of toys down stairs, but I can't lock the door of the play room. I don't mind the girls seeing the mess, but there Mum is really house proud and works as a cleaner, so I'd be very if she saw it. Please let me know what you think.

Where's the point in tidying it - they'll only wreck it again anyway.
Chuck all the ironing / christmas clutter into another room and shut the door on it till the playdate is over
Would be a shame to cancel for this reason.

Don't be daft. I refuse to tidy my dd's bedroom, it is a complete shitpit of clothing, books, toys etc etc. The children will only mess it up again (and bollox to what the other mum will think)

I would move the ironing out, and any stuff that you don't want them playing with (as long as it is not too much) and then let them at it.

Keep the mum downstairs drinking coffee and it is fine. Although pretty much playrooms have a tendency to be messy - if she can't cope with that it is her problem not yours

The children are going to mess it anyway, or course you shouldn't cancel.

Like ginny says move the things you don't want them to mess around with into another room and then when the palydate is coming to end tell the girls they have to tidy up the playroom now and get it done for you. Sorted.

No!!!! Come on, it's feb - no excuse for xmas clutter still. Get off mumsnet and force yourself to sort it or you wont allow yourself back

Arm yourself with black sacks and get thee gone.Think how good you will feel when it's done!

I like having guests when the house is a maess - it gives me the motivation to get on with jobs I've meant to do for ages.

Surely it will be nicer/ easier for you as a family to have the room sorted? I'd do it this once, put a lock on it and tell your daughter she has to keep it reasonable eat or she can't go in there until she's tidied it.

Thanks everyone. I will go and make a start, I suppose this would be an excuse to get it done. I'll bag up the ironing for now, and sort out the toys books etc.
The funny thing is, my daughter is very tidy minded, she dosn't make much mess. It's me who's the messy bugger. and

I've done it! The play room is now tidy. 4 hours later. I do feel happy now it's done. I bet the girls Mum will phone to say they can't make it tomorrow now.

Well done you - do you feel very satisfied???

Thank you and Yes, i do. I haven't told my daughter that I've tidied it, that way it'll stay tidy until tomorrow.

Yes, I've done that before too.

Use the deadline to get your house in order - you'll be so pleased once it's done! And it won't be nearly as awful as you think once you get started.

Well done!!