(Not read the whole thread so apologies if someone else has made the same point)…
If someone comes round unexpectedly then they’re very welcome to come in and hang out with us, but they have to take it as it is. So if the girls have got their toys out, or there’s washing that hasn’t been put away, then that’s fine. And if we’re in the middle of putting the kids to bed then they can read a story, and if we’re sat round in our slobs then so be it.
If we know we’ve got people for dinner or whatever then we’ll make more of an effort to get things tidied up.