Showing up at your child's school in pyjamas is sheer laziness, says parenting expert

A head teacher in Middlesbrough has issued a ‘polite’ request for parents to stop wearing pyjamas and dressing gowns when dropping their children off to school, and I could not agree with her more.

Parents are a child’s first role model, so from forming their opinions and beliefs to how they behave, parents have a duty to set an example - preferably a good one - and escorting your children to school in your nightwear is... well, it’s just lazy really, isn’t it?

I have had mornings where I've just wanted to stay wrapped up in the duvet, but I have children, which means I have a responsibility to ensure that they are getting up and ready for the day. In order to make sure of this, I too get myself up and ready for the day, which involves me getting dressed. I lead by example.

How do you feel about seeing parents wearing their pyjamas on the school run? Have your say in the comments below

Parents at Ayresome Primary School in Middlesbrough have been asked to dress appropriately at drop-off by their head teacher (Richard Rayner)

It must be embarrassing to be told by a head teacher how to dress when you are no longer a school child, but getting dressed is one of the most basic forms of showing yourself some self-respect. Failing to do this teaches your child that self-respect doesn’t matter, and as a parent, I feel that is pretty sad.

Who wants their child to grow up having no respect for themselves? And, if they don’t respect themselves, why would they have respect for anyone or anything else?

Some may argue that a parent who is still in their pyjamas on the school run shows they've put their children first - they have no time because they have been busy getting their kids sorted. They may have been up all night with a screaming baby, or they may have been ill themselves.

Parents at the school have hit back at the ban on pyjamas - and are still showing up in their nightwear (Richard Rayner)

However, we've all overslept or had a bad night and we've all been late for school at some point - yesterday in my case. And while there is no need to be completely immaculate on the school run – it's not a fashion show, after all - there is always time to sling on some actual clothes and show your children how to have some standards.

My own children would also be absolutely mortified if I took them to school in my dressing gown!

Children don’t go to school in their pyjamas, other than on the odd charity day perhaps, so in my opinion, you should also refrain from rocking up at the school gates in yours, and if time is an issue, try getting up a few minutes earlier.

There really is no excuse, other than pure laziness.