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AIBU?

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Original poster

To think schools should allow black t shirts if they are going to use those black whiteboard pens

39 replies

Pastaandoranges · 13/09/2025 10:43

Both my kids come home with their white t shirts marked by the black whiteboard pens they use to write on their mini whiteboards. I can not get it out of the t shirts. Tried bleach baths, bicarb and bleach spotting and the vanish whitening powder.
Aibu to think they should allow black or dark coloured t shirts or shirts as this would mean less washing, less purchasing of new t shirts, less landfill of old ones and less chemicals going into the environment from cleaning them.
Bonus pounts if anyone has found a way to get the pen stains out!!

OP posts:
SummerInSun · 13/09/2025 10:56

My DSs’ school has white PE tops and shorts. Covered in grass stains, paint, stains from whatever they have for lunch, etc, by the end of the second week. I wash as normal and they wear stained PE kit until it’s outgrown - generally for about the next 18 months. I did buy DS2 new stuff rather than putting him in DS1’s outgrown set as I normally would, though. Kept DS1’s old stuff for emergencies. Agree with all PP it’s a silly colour for kids to wear, but since the school chose it, they can make peace with the fact that the kids are all in stained clothes by the third week of term.

AubreysMonkey · 13/09/2025 10:55

TizerorFizz · 13/09/2025 10:49

Or - maybe dc learn not to get pen on clothing. My dc never did this. Just hold the pen and write. When not writing tell them to put the top on the pen. Why on earth a school needs these mini white boards is a mystery. Not every idea is a good one. Pens and paper make more sense.

Not sure why dc aren’t concerned about getting clothing messed up either. It’s not playing outside - it’s writing. Do they not respect that clothing costs money?

Edited

Whiteboards can be a PITA for school teachers too but they support 'mistake' anxiety and confidence. Honestly, pencil and paper is 'easier' for us to manage!

Keroppi · 13/09/2025 10:53

The whiteboard and pens are a terrible idea, I have no idea why they don't use pencils and paper. You can do letter formation just fine

123ZYX · 13/09/2025 10:52

TizerorFizz · 13/09/2025 10:49

Or - maybe dc learn not to get pen on clothing. My dc never did this. Just hold the pen and write. When not writing tell them to put the top on the pen. Why on earth a school needs these mini white boards is a mystery. Not every idea is a good one. Pens and paper make more sense.

Not sure why dc aren’t concerned about getting clothing messed up either. It’s not playing outside - it’s writing. Do they not respect that clothing costs money?

Edited

Sometimes it’s hard to avoid when there’s 30 kids sitting on the carpet and they’re only just getting started on writing. Sometimes remembering to put a lid on as well as remembering all the other rules they’re being introduced to is just too much for them. I found it improved a lot by year 1 when they were at desks more.

beelegal · 13/09/2025 10:51

Let’s ensure children do not take any kind of responsibility at all and even go as far as making shirts black.

Walking into a school where everyone is dressed as goths is normal.

Good grief.

Youcancallmeirrelevant · 13/09/2025 10:51

Why are you throwing them out? Put them through the washing machine as normal so the top is clean and then back in wardrobe ready for next wear as normal.

Caterina99 · 13/09/2025 10:49

Yes our school uniform is navy or white polos.

The p1s start in white polos, but the older school is almost exclusively navy as the parents (myself included) figure out that it’s just so much easier!

TizerorFizz · 13/09/2025 10:49

Or - maybe dc learn not to get pen on clothing. My dc never did this. Just hold the pen and write. When not writing tell them to put the top on the pen. Why on earth a school needs these mini white boards is a mystery. Not every idea is a good one. Pens and paper make more sense.

Not sure why dc aren’t concerned about getting clothing messed up either. It’s not playing outside - it’s writing. Do they not respect that clothing costs money?

123ZYX · 13/09/2025 10:48

Apparently alcohol gel (for hands) can help to remove the marks. I just accepted that the shirts were clean, if not stain free.

Easyozy · 13/09/2025 10:48

Mine had to wear white polo shirts at primary. They were white for a day, if that. Mainly due to mud and pen marks. Silly colour to have for young children really. Thankfully high school uniform is black.

Coulddowithanap · 13/09/2025 10:48

Alcohol hand gel works on marker pens so try that to get the stain out.

White is the worst colour for children though.

QueenClinomania · 13/09/2025 10:46

Yanbu
White shirts on kids is ridiculous anyway imo

ShesTheAlbatross · 13/09/2025 10:46

I do think white is a stupid colour for young children.

But you don’t have to buy new tops. If my DDs get their polos dirty at school, I’ll try to get them clean (within reason, I’m not buying extra products and washing them multiple times), but I’m not buying new ones just because they’ve got pen stains on them.

TeenToTwenties · 13/09/2025 10:45

Or just go with the flow. Keep a nice one for photos day.

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