Would you let friends in your house THIS MINUTE

[newbymom05]

Sorry for the shouted emphasis, lol, but I mean if someone you know knocked on the door right now, would you invite them in, or would you want/need 10-15 minutes to straighten up?

[Alyantavid]

I would. It's 7:30 in the morning here, so I'm guessing beds aren't made and the kids' pj's are in the middle of the living room floor, but otherwise it's all good.

[woodchick]

I would, but only because I had a friend visiting yesterday evening so the house isn't too bad right now.

Usually I would like the 10-15 to pick up. DD1 isn't too keen on 'real' toys so the house is often covered in bits of paper or cardboard that she has made 'projects' out of...or I haven't gotten to the dishes or whatever.

[SoulCakes]

Eh. I'd invite them in. We're usually pretty tidy (except for the moment; we just moved into a new place and are in the middle of a ton of home-improvement projects + settling in), but regardless, if they're a friend, they can deal with the mess. Goodness knows I've dealt with theirs.

[mommariffic]

My house is pretty much always in some state of disaster. We moved in a few months ago and I was battling the first trimester sickness/exhaustion + toddler rearing so we aren't even 100% unpacked.

Combine that with general messiness, two huge slobbering SHEDDING dogs, and you have a mix for some serious "whoa what happened here.."

However, most of my friends know I'm a total mess and so they probably wouldn't overlook stacks of books, tufts of German Shepherd hair and the occasional stray Cheerio.

[hillymum]

Friends? They can come in no matter how my home looks! Friends don't judge. Neighbours? Yikes, I would like a bit of warning today! I haven't vacuumed once this week and the kitchen has piles of dirty dishes. To couch is covered in dog hair and muddy prints, with a streak of pizza sauce on one cushion. This isn't normal though. We came home with a new puppy on Saturday, I spend Monday, Tuesday and most of Wednesday prepping and painting ds#1 &ds#2's bedroom and then was up all night with ds#2 who was hit with the stomach flu. Yesturday was definatly a snuggle/cuddle/recover day

[laohaire]

I don't have any friends. If it were my immediate neighbors I'd sigh and let them in. I've seen their house and we're on the exact same ground there. If it were my contractor I'd sigh and let him in and die of embarassment. His house is spic and span.

[treegardner]

Besides being 7:20 am, I would be fine with having people in my home right now. Only because I'm already expecting people today so the apartment is pretty tidy

[KristyDi]

Friends, mostly yeah. I'd prefer 30 min warning to straighten up a bit, but most of my friends have toddlers too so they understand.

My MIL is another story. I need at least 24 hours warning before she comes over.

[doubledutch]

i would, but it would be pretty embarrassing. i would much rather have a friend in the house than a stranger (and better a friend than family, too!).

[elisent]

I would prefer to have a few minutes. The kids crunched crackers on the living room floor last night and I swept with the broom after they went to bed but didn't vacuum the area rug because it would wake them up. I clean the bathroom on weekends and today is Friday so it's a little smelly, plus there are clothes on the floor in there. Oh, and I cleared off all the kitchen surfaces last night and ran the dishwasher but I was just too tired to hunt down a new dishrag and wipe the counters so they're still sticky. Other than that I'm good as long as the bedroom doors stay shut!

[cristeen]

Depends on the friend. Friends who have kids, my BFF who won't judge, etc., sure. But friends we're not particularly close to, no.

But then we also have a policy of not letting in people who didn't let us know they were coming.

[2xy]

Originally Posted by cristeen

But then we also have a policy of not letting in people who didn't let us know they were coming.

I think it's totally rude to drop in unannounced, but I would still let them in if they were a real friend. An acquaintance or neighbor, not so much.

[ChristyMarie]

Sure. The floors and kitchen counters need to be cleaned but otherwise it is all good. I think the best part of finally figuring out how to keep the house clean is not panicking at unexpected visitors.

[SunshineJ]

Not a chance in hell. I've been unsuccessfully battling a sinus infection for a week that has slowed me to a crawl, last night was the first night in a week that the kids have slept worth a darn, and while the holiday decorations are down, they're sitting around waiting to be put up. We're having a few friends over tomorrow, so if you ask me this in the morning my answer will be completely different! Can you guess what I'm doing today?

ETA: Honestly the house isn't "filthy" it's just really cluttered with stuff sitting out all over. While I'd prefer no one see it, it's not like they'd call the dirty house police on me or anything, I just don't like other people to see my sloppiness!

[rhiOrion]

I'd let them in, but close the door to the living room, so that they couldn't see into the dining room/kitchen. I'd then make them stand there for a minute while I removed the bedding from the couch, threw away tissues, etc (I'm battling a cold and have been sleeping on the couch for a few nights). Then I'd just pray they didn't have to use the bathroom.

[earthmama369]

I would, but my standards aren't as high as my mother's.

[frontierpsych]

No, but only because *I* look like crap, lol! Been sick for the past 3 days and just looking and feeling like hell.

[2lilsweetfoxes]

Sure, why not? My house is actually not too bad. I just need to put the dishes that are in the dishwasher away and the dishes in the sink into the dishwasher and fold clothes and sweep the floor. Other than that, it's pretty good. I cleaned off the island this morning, which helped visually. When it is piled up, it does not matter how nice the house is, it still looks messy. Oh, and the toy closet is cleaned up, so, yeah.

Caveat: depends on the friend. The friend who has "I can't stand a mess" issues and would have to stop herself from calling children's services if a stray cookie is left on the shelf by the baby--because that is unsafe and germy, let's meet out and about.

[Catubodua]

yup, and i don't even care that the house is messy. we don't live in filth, just a constant state of clutter despite my best efforts.

i would never judge a friend for having some clutter around (true dirt or grime i probably would though!) and i wouldn't expect them to think less of me just because we have unfolded laundry in the bedroom and unopened mail on the counter.

i don't have a showplace, i have a home and i have about a thousand things that i think are more important than making sure i never have anything out of place.