to not take DS's coat to school

[123andaway]

Im having an ongoing battle with DS2 over taking his coat to school. He will wear it there, then take it off at the gate and give it to me to take home. Everyday I tell him he may need it at school/on the way home, to which he replies 'Whatever!' - well he doesn't actually say that - but that's the gist of it!!!

So far he hasn't missed the coat, but today its POURING with rain.

So should I not take the coat and let him get wet and cold just to make a point?!?

He's 9, and the walk home is about 15 mins.

Its a new coat from Next which he chose himself, so it's not like Im sending him in something really horrid.

Quick answers leaving in 10 minutes!

[MamaG]

YABU
He's 9
Tomorrow, just refuse to take it home

[pagwatch]

Quick answer...

You are the adult and he is the child. Why are you even discussing this with him.
Leave the coat at home and don't even mention it.
And don't take it from him to take home any more.

[123andaway]

Oh well - nil points on the parenting front to me then - knew I was getting it wrong somewhere (skulks off to find DS2's unbrella as an easy compromise!)

[MamaG]

[hanaboo]

ha ha... did he get wet? has he changed his mind now?
can we have an update?

don't be hard on yourself, some children just need to learn things by experience
seriously though, did u let him get wet?

[Stayingscarygirl]

I wouldn't make him walk home in the rain without his coat if you haven't warned him this would happen, but you can tell him that the next time he does this, the coat will go home and stay there, whatever the weather does.

And don't worry if you haven't dealt with this perfectly first time - parenting is an inexact science and none of us gets it right first time all the time (except for me, of course....).

[bigchris]

i would have taken it because nine year olds with colds are grim!

[MayorNaze]

ds is 10. he has yet to wear a jumper this term, never mind a coat . he is still also wearing shorts. i figure he is old enough to know when he is cold/wet. his problem

[Goblinchild]

My school has a rule that every child needs to take a waterproof, many don't bother.
I was on duty today, it was raining lightly and we stayed out. A significant number of children breaking the rule got very damp, dried out over the next hour or so just in time for a damp lunch play.
Oh well.
At 9, your son shouldn't be having a personal slave to carry his stuff, let him get wet. He can have a hot shower when he gets in.

[Emprexia]

Mutt

Rain doesnt cause a cold but there is some proof that being cold makes the immune system sluggish and gives virus/germs more chance of taking hold.

[thirdname]

PAper in British Medical Journal found (healthy ) people exposed to ice or something were more likely to catch a cold.

But if dc don't want a coat, that's fine by me.

[hanaboo]

well if germs flourish in warm damp environments then it is getting wet that causes colds because after a child gets wet on the way to school or at break/lunchtime he then comes inside and gets warmer and damp!

[deaddei]

Serve him right.

[Emprexia]

"Going outside with a wet head in winter won't make you sick, but cold weather can make you more susceptible to catching a bug. However, it's not the temperature, but the humidity (or lack thereof) that's to blame. Scientists have shown that cold winter air (which is less humid than warm summer air) can dry out the mucus lining of your nasal passages, making it easier for viruses to get in and make you sick."

Thats off the how things work website.

[ABetaDad]

Why do kids do this? Our DSs Prep all have to have coats at school (although a few forget) but once they get to senior school they all refuse to wear coats. Why is that?

[TheMitsubishiWarrioress]

Beats me ABeta.... Three hours I spent going around a * shopping centre to get DS the perfect school coat that suited my budget but was 'cool' for him, I found him an appropriately labelled one for £20 which is a good job because it doesn't get worn.

123, I wouldn't have taken it, (my DS is a real sweetie when he is ill though!!).

[bernadetteoflourdes]

UnexpectedWasabi Well said, Cold wet weather helps exacerbate cold virus which is why there are fewer colds in warm dry summers.
MuttoftheBaskerville nip ouside now love wihout your waterproofs and stand around for half an hour and see if you remain Cold free for the next week. Ibet you will have a red nose and it is mainly through the nose that the Cold virus makes its presence known!

[hanaboo]

oooooooooh don't u just love ill kids? horrible i know, but dd will just lie quietly on the sofa all day asking for cuddles ;)

[TheMitsubishiWarrioress]

hanaboo.., yeah, with gruff little voices and big eyes..'mummy I love you, can I have another drink please?n'

Awww...

[madamearcati]

My DH wears shorts and T shirts nearly all the year round and never seems to be ill.

[hanaboo]

lmao at the mental pic of mitsubishi's kids in the garden in their underwear