Do Your Teenage Boys Still Wear Pajamas?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Haha, my youngest son is definitely one of the “influencers” at camp, sleepovers, etc. He switched from PJs to naked at 5yo to copy his brothers who are much older. At his first sleepover I packed him loose boxers to sleep in (he normally wears the tight sports boxer briefs during the day) but I got a call that night from his friend’s mom because she found both boys asleep naked when she was checking on them. Luckily she wasn’t mad about it and just wanted to make sure I was okay with it. So when he went to camp for the first time I reminded him multiple times that he needed to wear his boxers in bed. He wasn’t thrilled about it but I didn’t want him or me to get in trouble with the camp.

Ha, ha, that's a funny story . Good thing that the mom didn't get mad and isn't it typical that a younger brother wants to be just like his older brothers?

[Anonymous]

I don't think that our son has ever worn pajamas. He used to wear boxers or sweatpants, then nude since age twelve or so. I don't think that it would even occur to him to want actual pajamas.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My 13 year old wears flannel pants no shirt. Has for the past 4 years or so.

My 10 year old wears undies only and has since he was about 7.

Yes not everybody is the same.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't think that our son has ever worn pajamas. He used to wear boxers or sweatpants, then nude since age twelve or so. I don't think that it would even occur to him to want actual pajamas.

When he was younger was that because he didn't want to or because you didn't provide him with any?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Asking the internet is good, but why not just ask your sons directly? It can be a 30 second conversation at the breakfast or dinner table that goes something like this:

“So, I need to go shopping for some clothes, and your dad and I have noticed that you boys have outgrown your pjs again. Do you still wear them? I’m happy to keep buying them for you if you want, but it’s also perfectly fine for young men your age to sleep in only underwear or even in the nude, if that’s something you’ve tried and enjoy. No pressure either way. Just let me know by Friday.”

If you think that would in any way be awkward coming from their mother, just have DH say it. Easy peasy. Sometimes all parents and kids need is frank and open communication without embarrassment.

I had a conversation like that recently with my DS (14) and admitted after a little embarrassment that he now sleeps in the nude. Though embarrassed at first i think he was relieved that he doesn't have to pretent to wear pajamas anymore and I am just glad so save the money on pajamas that were not worn anyways.

+1. Just get it out of the way and talk to him.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Haha, my youngest son is definitely one of the “influencers” at camp, sleepovers, etc. He switched from PJs to naked at 5yo to copy his brothers who are much older. At his first sleepover I packed him loose boxers to sleep in (he normally wears the tight sports boxer briefs during the day) but I got a call that night from his friend’s mom because she found both boys asleep naked when she was checking on them. Luckily she wasn’t mad about it and just wanted to make sure I was okay with it. So when he went to camp for the first time I reminded him multiple times that he needed to wear his boxers in bed. He wasn’t thrilled about it but I didn’t want him or me to get in trouble with the camp.

Yes perhaps there is an even bigger influence from siblings than from parents?

[Anonymous]

To OP: Is your husband a nude sleeper? If so, perhaps your son has become one as well?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why does this question only pertain to boys? How about girls?

I think because OP asked pertaining to her son.

This plus in general I think wearing less or going to bed naked seems to be more a of a guy thing whereas pajamas are more popular with girls into adulthood. In our house the women/girls all wear some sort of sleepwear and the men/boys all wear nothing. I can’t imagine myself or any of my girlfriends having gone totally nude in bed as teenagers, obviously aside from the occasional summer heat wave.

That is my experience too. Me and DD (17) wear sleepwear but DH and DS (15) both sleep in the nude.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think it’s interesting that this post is so long lived and active. Gotta love DCUM.

In an anonymous forum where people are free to reveal things about themselves they probably wouldn’t reveal otherwise, any post like this is going to be popular. People get to admit they like nudity, sleep nude, other family members and friends do too, etc. all without their identity being known. It’s an outlet for certain things that are otherwise always kept private.

I also think this topic brings out a skewed viewpoint. Consumer surveys show that the vast majority of people don't sleep 100% nude, so I don't believe for a minute that the percentage of teenage boys who only wear their birthday suits to bed is more than single digits.

Teenage boys in the US are most likely to sleep in boxers/t-shirts or boxers/no shirt.

Certainly it’s going to be a skewed viewpoint. If the question is about wearing less or nothing in bed, then the overwhelming number of respondents are going to be people who wear less or nothing in bed, or in this case, their kids. That doesn’t mean they’re in the majority in society as a whole, although I do think the percentage of American male teens who sleep nude is probably significantly higher than single digits.

If you count the different posts, I am not sure you can conclude that there is a overwhelming majority.

[Anonymous]

Well after reading all of the previous responses, this is what I have to say. My DS sleeps in the nude as well. At first, I wasen't too happy about it. But the more that I started talking to him and asking him questions the more I realized that he enjoys the feel of the sheets and he doesnt feel "wound up" which means he feels free and doesnt want to wear clothes at all hours. And as soon as I figured out that he wasnt hurting himself or any one else. I just gave him space. He is doing fine and actually doing better in school. I gave him stipulations to sleeping nude as well. they are 1) You must be covered when someone walks in the room. 2) you dont come out of your room unless you are dressed!! And he is fine with that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Well after reading all of the previous responses, this is what I have to say. My DS sleeps in the nude as well. At first, I wasen't too happy about it. But the more that I started talking to him and asking him questions the more I realized that he enjoys the feel of the sheets and he doesnt feel "wound up" which means he feels free and doesnt want to wear clothes at all hours. And as soon as I figured out that he wasnt hurting himself or any one else. I just gave him space. He is doing fine and actually doing better in school. I gave him stipulations to sleeping nude as well. they are 1) You must be covered when someone walks in the room. 2) you dont come out of your room unless you are dressed!! And he is fine with that.

I think you made the rights decision there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Asking him what he prefers to wear to bed in a neutral, non-judgmental way makes the most sense. A little blushing and embarrassment up front is a lot better than the major em-BAREASS-ment that could be in store if you walk into his room in the morning and he’s kicked off the covers in his sleep.

You are certainly right about that

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Well after reading all of the previous responses, this is what I have to say. My DS sleeps in the nude as well. At first, I wasen't too happy about it. But the more that I started talking to him and asking him questions the more I realized that he enjoys the feel of the sheets and he doesnt feel "wound up" which means he feels free and doesnt want to wear clothes at all hours. And as soon as I figured out that he wasnt hurting himself or any one else. I just gave him space. He is doing fine and actually doing better in school. I gave him stipulations to sleeping nude as well. they are 1) You must be covered when someone walks in the room. 2) you dont come out of your room unless you are dressed!! And he is fine with that.

The second rule is entirely reasonable. The issue with your first rule is that he’s in his own room, so it’s really on others to either knock or understand what they might see if they just barge in. It’s hard to control things that happen when you’re unconscious. What if he accidentally kicks the covers off in the night, or gets hot and simply likes to sleep partially or totally exposed to the air?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Well after reading all of the previous responses, this is what I have to say. My DS sleeps in the nude as well. At first, I wasen't too happy about it. But the more that I started talking to him and asking him questions the more I realized that he enjoys the feel of the sheets and he doesnt feel "wound up" which means he feels free and doesnt want to wear clothes at all hours. And as soon as I figured out that he wasnt hurting himself or any one else. I just gave him space. He is doing fine and actually doing better in school. I gave him stipulations to sleeping nude as well. they are 1) You must be covered when someone walks in the room. 2) you dont come out of your room unless you are dressed!! And he is fine with that.

The second rule is entirely reasonable. The issue with your first rule is that he’s in his own room, so it’s really on others to either knock or understand what they might see if they just barge in. It’s hard to control things that happen when you’re unconscious. What if he accidentally kicks the covers off in the night, or gets hot and simply likes to sleep partially or totally exposed to the air?

Sorry if I wasn't clear enough. I meant that he put close on if someone knocks on his door or if he knows someone will be entering his room and as I said it hasn't been a problem so far.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DS hasn't worn pajamas for years. I am not sure he wears anything to bed anymore.

Same. Mine started wearing just boxers as a tween, and as an older teen it's his bday suit.

+1 with my DS (18).