Australian mother of six slammed for admitting she sometimes puts her kids to bed in their clothes to save time in the morning.
Actress and writer Madeleine West told the Daily Mail last year, “Pajamas are optional for me. I figured if they’re in clean clothes and getting into a clean bed, they’re fine.”
Not everyone was impressed with her revelation.
One particular commenter said, “She makes them wear next day’s clothes to bed? Wow, how efficient! Also have them eat next day’s breakfast and lunch along with yesterday’s dinner and you will save heaps of time. At least she’s not putting her kids in the washing machine to sort out dirty clothes and ‘dirty’ children at the same time — that would be organised! Let’s just hope this didn’t give her any ideas.”
Madeleine told, The Daily Telegraph, “I do not send my babes out into the world in the same clothes day after day, unwashed and unloved, despite what many may assert from the safety of their electronic devices.”
“But sadly, by tearing down rather than supporting our peers on the crazy rollercoaster that is parenthood, we shutdown all discussion, and cut off honest dialogue, as people will not share their stories for fear of being judged.”
She adds, “I do not have anything to apologise for. I am a mum, no better or worse than any other mum, struggling to get by and do right by her kids regardless of what the world throws at her. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, I fully embrace that. Opinions are like bottoms, everyone has one, but some opinions, like bums, are best not trotted out in public.
Some opinions come not from a place of belief and integrity, but from a place of anger, fear, and plain old cruelty.”
And the best thing Madeleine could possibly advise parents….
“Never be afraid to ask for help: for every Judge Judy, there are 10 Loving Lucys and Compassionate Camerons out there ready and willing to lend a hand.”
“Parenting is riddled with trials and tribulations, but if you can smile, remembering these little folk were, are, and will always be your babies, inextricably tied to you by blood, love, and all the pitter, splatter, and clatter in between, then you are a good parent.”
“We are not, and never will be, perfect, but in our children’s eyes we are the most perfectly imperfect parents they could ever wish for. Our little ones wouldn’t have us any other way, and at the end of the day, that is all that matters.”
While we don’t always agree with other parents little quirks and choices. We certainly should never call them out on it, if it’s not causing harm to anyone, then bite your tongue!
I know my boys have gone to bed in their clothes before. Generally because they have fallen asleep before bed, or are too exhausted for what ever reason to get change. It is no big deal. There is no point arguing with an overtired child.
Safety is always the first thought of course. No tops with drawstring etc. Safe sleeping guidelines.
And if this hack helps some family that is crazily juggling a million things every morning – then that has to be a good thing, right?
Share your comments below.
We may get commissions for purchases made using links in this post. Learn more.
12:37 am
5:02 pm
7:47 am
12:47 pm
9:05 am
2:43 pm
3:13 pm
10:56 am
10:49 am
2:30 am
2:44 pm
10:14 pm
8:13 pm
7:34 pm
5:05 pm