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Original poster

Would you judge this parent?

293 replies

Sparrowlegs248 · 17/06/2019 16:34

If a parent turned up at a school event, such as sports day, nativity etc, dressed in untidy/dirty work clothes. Pre school or early primary age children. Parent is self employed, tradesperson. Not filthy but obviously less clean and tidy than an office worker.

OP posts:
Soola · 17/06/2019 17:12

No not at all. We used to have a father of three boys he was raising on his own with the help of his parents after his wife ran off, turn up straight from his boat as he was a fisherman.

Lots of women were rather snotty with him but I found him great fun and very interesting.

We did have one mum turn up in a minute turquoise sparkly bikini one year that rendered the playground into silence! She had the figure for it but it was totally inappropriate!

Attache · 17/06/2019 17:12

Would only judge the people looking down their noses. They probably judge me just as much for being a bit of a scruff.

Bluerussian · 17/06/2019 17:13

No I wouldn't, I would applaud the parent for turning up straight from work.

growlingbear · 17/06/2019 17:14

No, I'd assume they'd taken time out of a working day to see their kid. There's a difference between dirty because you're covered in paint/plaster from building site or mud from gardening and the kind of dirt that is: couldn't be arsed to wash self or clothes. (Even then I'd not judge so much as be concerned.)

Blobby10 · 17/06/2019 17:15

Depends on your definition of dirty tbh - my children went to school in a farming community - their 'dirty' work clothes were overalls which stank to high heaven of cow muck, fertiliser etc. and it was expected that they would remove them before entering the school!

To my mind there's dirty as in muddy/paint/wood chippings dirty and 'stinky' dirty. One is OK, the other isn't. Still wouldn't 'judge' anyone, just think to myself it would have been more considerate if they had changed to something less stinky.

BenWillbondsPants · 17/06/2019 17:15

No, why would anyone?

Littlekittystops · 17/06/2019 17:15

No, I would think it was good that they made it at all.

dreichuplands · 17/06/2019 17:16

No.
I once turned up to a school event and told a parent I had been painting, they very nicely said that they had guessed that. It turns out My hair was covered in paint splatters!
It wasn't that unusual in my dc's UK school.

AryaStarkWolf · 17/06/2019 17:16

I would think they must be a really good parent to leave work to see their kid

Double0FeckingBollocks · 17/06/2019 17:16

What's the point to this OP?

mbosnz · 17/06/2019 17:17

Absolutely, I would judge them. I would judge them as a committed, caring, present and involved parent - and think they were sodding awesome!

YouJustDoYou · 17/06/2019 17:18

Not at all. But I would judge the stuck up nasty individuals who would judge, who obviously have zero intelligent empathy or understanding.

YouJustDoYou · 17/06/2019 17:18

Absolutely, I would judge them. I would judge them as a committed, caring, present and involved parent - and think they were sodding awesome!

^^This.

Disfordarkchocolate · 17/06/2019 17:18

Nope.

SuzieQ10 · 17/06/2019 17:19

Nope not at all for a daytime thing.
Perfectly fine to come straight from work (I often do, although I'm in an office so you can't tell as much).

Walkamileinmyshoesbeforeujudge · 17/06/2019 17:20

Was it me? Self employed cleaner who tries hard to get to school events whilst still providing for my dc...

Sarah8231 · 17/06/2019 17:20

No I certainly wouldn't, I would think what a hard working parent he / she was and clearly juggling to keep the plates spinning like we all are!
I would however, judge someone who passed comment or judgement on the poor parent!
Walk a mile in someone else's shoes ... and all that.
Ps my carpenter husband with his own business always picks our lad up from nursery in his work clothes, because quite often hes rushed from site to be able to collect him whilst I'm 40 miles away at my job (ambulance) I couldn't be prouder of my hard working husband helping me juggle it all!

borage13 · 17/06/2019 17:23

I drop my son off and pick him up in my formal office gear. If the tradesperson parent is judged for wearing work attire, I wonder if I am too?
I wouldn't judge them at all. It's ridiculous to assume that everyone has time/resources like that. Good on them for showing up in support.

Orangecake123 · 17/06/2019 17:25

nope. the main thing is that they're there for their child.

chipsandgin · 17/06/2019 17:25

Nope. I would totally judge anyone who did judge them though!

formerbabe · 17/06/2019 17:25

There's a mum at our school who seems to be a painter/decorator judging by her clothes...I don't think anything more than she's obviously come from work.

tempester28 · 17/06/2019 17:26

Nope

yourestandingonmyneck · 17/06/2019 17:27

No, not at all, why on earth would you?? Confused

Greyhoundsaregreyt · 17/06/2019 17:28

Why don’t you say why you asked the question, op? Hmm

IntoValhalla · 17/06/2019 17:28

I would do the exact opposite actually. I’d think that they’ve rushed straight from work to be there for their child and didn’t have time to change or shower Smile
My DH has done exactly this before. He’s military, and wasn’t sure if he could make DD’s preschool nativity as he wouldn’t be back from his field exercise in time. He walked in about 5 mins after it started, still in full uniform, mud all up his legs and cam cream (camouflage face paint!) still down the sides of his face and all over his ears Blush He had tried to have a quick clean up with a baby wipe bless him Grin