The great shirt debate: house rules for boys?
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Anonymous
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My two boys are only 9 and 7, but the oldest has taken to roaming shirtless whenever possible, and the younger has always preferred to wear as little as possible so he is happily following suit. My husband gets VERY irritated if they hang out around the house shirtless. I am far less offended, maybe because I had brothers, and one lived without a shirt on half the time at home for probably six or seven years.
What are your house rules? I'd like to propose a compromise position, like shirts required while dining or when any guest is around. But just spending time at home - what is the harm in letting the boys go shirtless? We have two daughters (younger) but both have already clearly absorbed the societal guidance that girls wear shirts, always, and neither has attempted to go shirtless like the brothers. (Well, the three year old likes to run around in any state of dress or undress or anything in between, but I assume that's because she's three!) Advice? How have you dealt with this at your house? I'd like to find a happy medium between decorum and not making them feel ashamed to be shirtless. |
Anonymous
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"What are your house rules? I'd like to propose a compromise position, like shirts required while dining or when any guest is around."
Haven't thought about it yet. I think you're correct. Why does your DH care? |
Anonymous
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We have no house rules. My youngest is hot all the times so he is usually shirtless as soon as he comes home from school. Neither me or my husband care.
I guess if we had non family non close friends guests, we would require a shirt. That's hardly ever the case though. We do not care if either of them are shirtless for dinner. |
Anonymous
| I never created a house rule for clothing. Being shirtless -boy or girl - was always fine with us.conce the kids hit puberty, they've worn a shirt if they were girls, and the boy just put on a shirt for meals on his own. |
Anonymous
| Our only requirement is underwear. |
Anonymous
| I'm with your DH on this one. Shirts for everyone in main areas. If you want to be half dressed you can be in your room, you don't get a pass because you were born with a penis which btw OP is what you are teaching your daughters. |
Anonymous
| Your DH sounds uptight. We don't have "house rules" exactly but I tell my 9 yo to put on underwear anywhere he can been seen from the outside, i.e., in front of the glass doors. He is ASD, so needs the reminder. |
Anonymous
| If guests are over, shirts must be worn. If not, shirtless is ok. |
Anonymous
+1 Our house rule is "must wear underwear". Of course if guests are over, must wear clothes. |
Anonymous
+1 in the home everyone's comfort should be incorporated. This strikes the compromise. Do what you want in your room, in family areas you need to follow family rules. I agree with your DH that the family rule is shirts on. |
Anonymous
| Dh still roams around the house shirtless! But he does put on a shirt to go outside and of course for guests, although he often ditches his shirt while mowing the grass. He's pretty prude/conservative though. |
Anonymous
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Turn down the heat and they will put on more clothes!
My boys are in flannel pants as often as they can (my husband's pet peeve), but when we go to g'ma's house I let them wear shorts. This includes Christmas! (we comprise nice shorts, not athletic shorts). Seriously - keep the house below 68 - it's good for the environment and your gas/electric bill. |
Anonymous
Us too. I'd be thrilled if the issue was only shirts. |
Anonymous
It's cold in our house. Shirts and shorts/pants for everyone. And slippers. Food is eaten in shirts only. Leather couches also make shirtless uncomfortable 
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Anonymous
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pp here. Our house is under 68 in winter. We don't cool it that much in summer but it's in the shade so it stays cool and breezy with fans.
I always wear pants and a shirt and socks. But that's me. |