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AIBU?

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Original poster

To send little one to nursery in a dress without shorts?

236 replies

dahliadream · 13/08/2025 06:22

First time posting on mn so please be kind, not sure whether this board is the right home for this or not?!

I have a three year old girl, it's hot so I have been sending her to nursery in casual loose t-shirt dresses, about knee length. My friend told me yesterday that when she puts her daughter in dresses for nursery she puts shorts underneath. I havent been doing that. She doesn't wear shorts with dresses at home and also wouldn't it make her even warmer on a hot day? She is quite active at nursery and she spends a lot of time outside.

AIBU just to put her in a dress? Or should she be wearing shorts too? Three seems so little to worry about modesty doesn't it.

OP posts:
Original poster
dahliadream · 13/08/2025 06:36

Doingmybest12 · 13/08/2025 06:34

If I was considering this is just do shorts and t-shirt. I don't think I'd send a 3 year old for an active day of play in a dress.

Thank you, I do put her in shorts and t-shirt sometimes but she does like a dress bless her, and I have always felt they're a bit cooler as looser. They're just little casual ones but I see your point.

OP posts:
Original poster
dahliadream · 13/08/2025 06:36

ExistentialThreat · 13/08/2025 06:34

There is nothing 'immodest' about a little girl flashing her knickers playing. I hate this sexualisation of small children. Send her in what ever is comfortable. The only time I would consider shorts would be (as a PP mentioned) if she might burn her legs going down a hot slide. My daughter is 6 and yes, you do get a flash of knickers when she does cartwheels - but she's 6.

Honestly it's something I hadn't ever given any thought to until my friend mentioned it and now worrying I have been an unfit mother!

OP posts:
Original poster
dahliadream · 13/08/2025 06:35

HelloCheekyCat · 13/08/2025 06:33

Presumably she has underwear on so why does it matter?
I never put shorts on DD under dressss/skirts because she had pants on which covered her privates

Show quote history

Yes she does always have knickers on!

OP posts:
Doingmybest12 · 13/08/2025 06:34

If I was considering this is just do shorts and t-shirt. I don't think I'd send a 3 year old for an active day of play in a dress.

ExistentialThreat · 13/08/2025 06:34

There is nothing 'immodest' about a little girl flashing her knickers playing. I hate this sexualisation of small children. Send her in what ever is comfortable. The only time I would consider shorts would be (as a PP mentioned) if she might burn her legs going down a hot slide. My daughter is 6 and yes, you do get a flash of knickers when she does cartwheels - but she's 6.

HelloCheekyCat · 13/08/2025 06:33

Brbreeze · 13/08/2025 06:29

Mine is one to lift up her dress as a habit, especially when she is tired for some reason. So we routinely put on shorts with dresses,

Presumably she has underwear on so why does it matter?
I never put shorts on DD under dressss/skirts because she had pants on which covered her privates

Mbknio · 13/08/2025 06:30

I put my daughter the same age in shorts knickers

https://www.next.co.uk/style/su404883/e87097

I think they can be better in terms of comfort around activities especially if going down slides etc.
I'm mindful that less substantial knickers end up going to the side and covering nothing at all really which I'll admit makes me uncomfortable

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Brbreeze · 13/08/2025 06:29

Mine is one to lift up her dress as a habit, especially when she is tired for some reason. So we routinely put on shorts with dresses,

itsabeautifuldayjuly · 13/08/2025 06:27

It really depends. if they are inside, no issue. Outside, just wearing knickers on her bottom half (realistically the dress will be somewhere around her waist) means higher likelihood of a burned bum on hot surfaces, more sand in knickers and a higher likelihood of it getting caught/ hindering her play (the last one is the case for any dresses). Loose shorts and a regular t-shirt are the way in my experience.

Pinklilly · 13/08/2025 06:25

I always put bloomers on under a dress for my 3 year old. Kids life up their dresses a lot I find.
this is our habit since she was about 2 so we do the same for nursery.
there is no right or wrong but in terms of heat I don’t believe it has any impact

Wowzel · 13/08/2025 06:24

I never bothered sending my DD with shorts under her dress

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