There’s a peculiar habit my kids have that I just can’t wrap my head around. It’s more perplexing than their refusal to wear jackets in freezing temperatures or their aversion to the crust on a grilled cheese sandwich. What truly confounds me is their complete disregard for the top sheet.
My first encounter with this phenomenon occurred when they graduated from cribs to big kid beds. I would meticulously wash their bedding, arrange it perfectly, and tuck everything in until the bed resembled something straight out of a home décor magazine. I did this because my own mother instilled the same routine in me, and there’s an undeniable satisfaction in sinking into a freshly made bed. Plus, it gives me a sense of control amidst the chaos that is my children’s rooms.
Yet, every time I peek into their rooms, I find the top sheet crumpled at the bed’s foot, and I’m left in a sweat trying to restore it to its former glory. If I can’t bear the thought of sleeping with a bunched-up sheet around my legs, how do they tolerate it? Why don’t they appreciate this luxurious experience as I do? It makes no sense!
Not to mention, how can they forgo that crucial barrier between their bodies and the comforter? Their way of sleeping utterly baffles me. I often discover hidden treasures beneath their sheets, only to hear them say they dislike the top sheet because it doesn’t stay in place. I dismissed their claims, thinking, “How can that be?” I’m a firm believer in the top sheet’s magic. It’s my savior on sweltering nights when I can’t bear to be entirely covered, yet I simply cannot drift off without at least a little something atop me. Isn’t that a universal truth?
Apparently not. A recent article highlighted how my children are not alone in their anti-top sheet sentiments. In fact, Lucy Adams, a 23-year-old, went viral for declaring, “I don’t know a single millennial who uses one. Top sheets are just outdated.” This tweet sparked a wave of responses, with people either supporting or contradicting her viewpoint. While the article presents various reasons why flat sheets may seem unnecessary—like the extra effort they add to making the bed and their tendency to bunch up at night—I remain staunchly #TeamTopSheet.
Admittedly, I’m not a millennial, but that’s irrelevant. The top sheet is a genius invention that I can’t imagine living without. It saves me from the weekly chore of washing comforters and blankets. I can simply strip the sheets and swap out the pillowcases, and voila! My laundry routine is simplified. If I had to wash my comforter every week, I would have to resign from my role as the sole laundry doer in the house.
Now that my kids are teenagers and capable of handling chores, they’ve taken to removing the top sheet after just one night of using it. This means I’m back to washing their comforters weekly. I’ve effectively retired from that chore, as they can manage their own laundry messes while I enjoy the simplicity of my top sheet. It seems they’re gradually seeing the light and may soon join #TeamTopSheet before we strip the beds next week.
And honestly, if we’re going to abandon anything, shouldn’t it be the fitted sheet? Those things can be a real hassle. On second thought, though, I wouldn’t want to live without it either. The thought of a poorly fitted sheet—or worse, no fitted sheet at all—makes me cringe.
So go ahead and call me old-fashioned or tell me I’m wasting time—none of that bothers me. I genuinely appreciate my sheets, all of them. What are your thoughts on this crucial bedding debate?
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Summary
In this article, I passionately uphold the importance of the top sheet in bedding, contrasting my views with my children’s current trend of forgoing it. While millennials like Lucy Adams claim top sheets are outdated, I argue that they are indispensable for comfort and convenience. Ultimately, I embrace my traditional bedding habits and invite readers to share their opinions on this topic.