Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Teenagers

Parenting teenagers has its ups and downs. Get advice from Mumsnetters here.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Flip

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Original poster

Is it alright for my teenage sons to only wear shorts in front of us?

155 replies

Lisa2019GB · 03/10/2019 21:02

Hi all. I have two sons in their late teens. In the evening after they come home and shower they will watch TV in the living room with just their shorts on - no socks or t-shirt. Sometimes they will fall asleep and I throw a blanket over them. I never thought anything of it, why should I? Anyhow, a friend of mine was visiting recently and commented about it, saying that they should be fully clothed in the house and it's not normal behavior.

My husband doesn't have an issue with it either, he simply says we are family so it doesn't matter it's not like they are naked, but I wanted to get some outside opinions about it from other parents out there as I don't really see the issue personally.

I have have a close relationship with my boys and wouldn't want to make things unnecessarily awkward.

All views appreciated!

Thank you :)

OP posts:

Mabelface · 03/10/2019 21:03

It's very normal behaviour. Your friend is a little uptight!

palahvah · 03/10/2019 21:04

Why on earth would this be an issue?

Knickerbockergloryonthebeach · 03/10/2019 21:04

I'm prudish but this seems normal behaviour to me, and why teach them that their bodies are something to be ashamed of.

Frenchfancy · 03/10/2019 21:04

I'm guessing if you were on the beach or by the pool they would only have trunks on so I don't see the difference. If you want them to put more clothes on then turn the heating down.

Bigearringsbigsmile · 03/10/2019 21:06

Your friend is weird. Totally normal. Mine will still do an occasional naked clean pants hunt too!

sunshineandshowers21 · 03/10/2019 21:06

it wouldn’t bother me at all. my eldest son is 12 so not quite a teenager yet but he often wanders about in just his boxers, as does his dad and 5 year old brother. we’re quite an open family though and have never had any issue with being naked/partly naked in front of each other.

Ohyesiam · 03/10/2019 21:06

I think your friend has no idea what a home is meant to be like. The place where you can stand down, be yourself and be totally comfortable.
But, We’re they in their pants in front of the friend, or did you just mention it to her? It’s fine for family , but as you have found out, it’s going to get a reaction from some.

Original poster

Lisa2019GB · 03/10/2019 21:06

@Frenchfancy Like I said I don't have a problem with it, but the fact that she highlighted it was "not normal" made me question it. It was quite embarrassing for me to be honest.

OP posts:

DramaAlpaca · 03/10/2019 21:07

It's fine, not an issue.

Starlight456 · 03/10/2019 21:07

Yep my 12 year old often is in pj shorts. I don’t perceive I will have an issue with it at any point in the future.

As you say family and it’s their home too

helpfulperson · 03/10/2019 21:07

I think so long as they are aware enough to understand when it might not be OK eg if you have visitors then it's fine.

Thenotes · 03/10/2019 21:07

I would draw the line at underpants, not for any sense of sexual indecency but just because there should be a line 😁 but shorts completely fine.

1sttimemumma · 03/10/2019 21:07

Your friend is an idiot (sorry)

Firstly, they are your sons in your house so it is none of her business.
Secondly - why on earth would you be uncomfortable to see your own child in shorts? Do you feel uncomfortable when men go swimming?

There is no reason to feel weird about it - her thought process is wrong, her suggestion is on the brink of sexualising a platonic situation (as I assume this is the uncomfortable part). There is no need to be uncomfortable otherwise?

Original poster

Lisa2019GB · 03/10/2019 21:08

@Ohyesiam She visited after they already settled, so they didn't do it knowing she was in the house at the time. But they weren't in her view anyway, she only noticed because she went and said hello.

OP posts:

Oly4 · 03/10/2019 21:08

You should have laughed at her and told her in your family you’re not worried about sons who wear shorts!! She’s being ridiculous.

CalamityJune · 03/10/2019 21:09

Maybe if there were visitors i would expect them to put a t shirt on but not if it's just your family in the house.

What an odd thing for her to say.

(I'd be too bloody cold personally)

GreigLaidlawsbarofsoap · 03/10/2019 21:10

It's their home, not hers. I'd have told her to jog on, the judgemental uptight mardy arse. She's the weird one, not your boys.

tmh88 · 03/10/2019 21:11

This seems perfectly normal, in fact it would feel more odd if I came home and everyone was showered and fully clothed

Original poster

Lisa2019GB · 03/10/2019 21:11

@Oly4 I glossed over it explaining that it's normal in our house we don't view it as anything other, what else can I possibly say in response. I was shocked.

OP posts:

stucknoue · 03/10/2019 21:12

It's fine, it's their house. All female house here and my 18 year old dd will lie around in very short pj shorts or even underwear. There generation isn't as worried as ours about these things

Original poster

Lisa2019GB · 03/10/2019 21:13

@GreigLaidlawsbarofsoap I agree with you just in that sense, but normally she's perfectly fine if you get what I mean. It could just be that she has a different mindset in her house, as when I've visited even in the evening everyone is in daytime clothes so I think that it was stems from.

OP posts:

Teachermaths · 03/10/2019 21:13

How warm is your house? I'd be freezing in just shorts but my heating isn't on yet.

Haffdonga · 03/10/2019 21:13

When you say shorts, do you mean baggy tracky bottom type shorts or itsy bitsy teeny skin tight under crackers?

Either way it wouldn't be a problem in our house but my teen sons wouldn't have wanted to be seen in skinny knickers by visiting mum friends.

Original poster

Lisa2019GB · 03/10/2019 21:15

@Teachermaths It's not hot enough to need to take your clothes off nor cold enough to put them on, but I think it's more of a thing to relax. Being in clothes all day and then at home makes you uncomfortable.

OP posts:

Original poster

Lisa2019GB · 03/10/2019 21:16

@Haffdonga Just normal loose shorts.

OP posts:

Flip

1 2 3 4 5 6 7