I'll never join this school pyjama party

Pyjamagate has erupted after “Slummy Mummies” were chastised by a headteacher for turning up at the school gates still wearing their jim jams.

The head’s comments have sparked a controversial debate and divided the nation as to whether wearing nightwear to drop the children off is acceptable or not.

It’s certainly a far cry from the “Yummy Mummy” dress style favoured by many celeb mums – or celeb mums wannabes who turn up to pick up their little darlings looking like they’ve either stepped off the catwalk or are ready for a night out on the tiles.

While many have blasted pyjama and slipper wearing mums as “lazy chavs” and criticised them for their slovenly attire, others have slammed the head for her snobbery and hold the view that surely it’s far more important that children get to school than what the parent dropping them off is wearing.

Now I pride myself on being non-judgemental and have a live and let live philosophy.

When it comes to clothing and fashion, I firmly believe people should be free to express their individuality and wear whatever they like, however flamboyant or wacky.

Similarly, I feel that every woman and man should be able to wear what they like without risk of attack whether verbal or physical.

Despite all these views, I’m afraid I have to draw the line at PJs in public – for me it’s a definite no-no.

Forget the views that doing the school run in pyjamas gives a “benefits street” image or the fear that it demonstrates lazy parenting and a lack of pride, pyjamas are NIGHTWEAR for 
goodness sake!

And for those citing lack of time or saying it might be a mum who has just finished a night shift or someone who has overslept, how long does it take to throw on a pair of jeans and a top?

As for double standards, what would people say if a bloke turned up to pick his children up from school in his boxer shorts?

Wee Willie Winkie may have run through the town in his night gown in the nursery rhyme, but if he did it near the school gates today, he’d get arrested.

And don’t get me started on grown-ups who wear onesies –they just look like they’re wearing an oversized babygro.

While I’m sure most red blooded males wouldn’t complain if a stunning mum turned up at the school gates wearing some flimsy negligee from Agent Provacateur – I am confident their wives wouldn’t be too happy.

As far as I’m concerned, nightwear is just that – items of clothing that you wear at night time when you go to bed. Some people choose to sleep in the buff .. . does this mean it’s acceptable to turn up to collect your kiddies starkers?

It’s not snobbery – it’s a matter of standards and being better organised.

Like most working mums, I face a race against time each morning as I hurry to get the children to school before battling the traffic to get to work.

Some mornings can be very fraught but never have I thought to myself: “I know! I’ll save a few seconds by going to work in my pyjamas!”

Even on the rare occasions when I’ve been ill and dragged myself out of the house to take my children to school, I’ve 
always forced myself to get dressed, even if I’ve returned home to go straight to my sickbed.

I might have worn my glasses instead of contact lenses, not brushed my hair properly and not put any lippy on, but I’ve never been tempted to stick a coat over my PJs.

Quite frankly, unless it’s a Pyjama Day for charity, there’s no excuse for wearing bedwear outside the home.

The question to ask 
yourself is: if your child was running late for school, would you consider sending them to lessons in their night clothes instead of telling them to get dressed in their uniform 
all for the sake of a few seconds?

I wouldn’t judge anyone for wearing clothes that express their individual personality.

If someone wants to turn up to collect or drop off their child at school wearing gold lame leggings, a crazy hat or even a gorilla suit, I might raise my eyebrows, but I wouldn’t judge them for it.

However, I would judge someone for being so slothful that they can’t even make the effort or take the personal pride to do the basic task of getting dressed, not to mention subjecting their children to teasing.

To me, it just smacks of pure laziness and does portray the chavvy image of someone who is going to head straight home, crawl back into bed eating Wotsits from the bag while watching Jeremy Kyle.

I don’t even venture outside the house in my PJs for something as simple as getting something from the garden … or bringing the dustbin in.

Aside from the fact I’ve never brought in the dustbin in my life (Hubby does it), I have been put off by a friend’s tale of the day she went to get the bin and the front door blew shut leaving her stranded on her drive in her nightie.

Venturing out in nightwear would be just like going out in my underwear.

It’s something I’d never think of doing … and it wouldn’t be a pretty sight.