What can boys wear for a ‘wear pink’ day at school?

[Rainbowb]

Our school are having a breast cancer awareness day and everyone has to wear something pink (can be anything). My friend doesn’t really have anything for her son to wear, does anyone have any suggestions?

Socks or a hat from a cracker.

Every day is pink day for my boy, he's totally obsessed (only 4 though)

Maybe a badge? A breast cancer lapel pin would be a donation to buy the badge and would be a nod to the theme. Could always wear it on his school bag if you don't want the pin through clothing.

@TildaTurnip

And that’s fine. It’s how the parents talk about it to their child.

“You don’t want to wear something pink? That’s absolutely fine. Miss X won’t mind at all if you just wear your normal clothes or school uniform. We can still donate to the charity because it’s a really kind thing to do. Lots of your friends do like to dress up though and that’s fine too. You just wear what makes you comfortable. If you like we can colour a sticker in pink and you can wear that. Still worried? I’ll write you a little note for Miss X, then she’ll understand.”

Compared to
“ I can’t believe that your bloody school is making you wear something pink. Don’t they know not everyone has something pink in their wardrobe? Now I’m going to have to waste my time and money buying you something pink. It’s so annoying when your school does this. I know you don’t want to join in anyway. I can’t believe they even expect you to. Just wear your uniform and I’ll pay the £1 anyway.”

It doesn't have to cost a lot really. My son needed a red t shirt for a local cancer hospital once so I got him one off eBay. If he doesn't usually wear pink he could just use it for pyjamas. Although I think it's ridiculous that boys still think pink is for girls

I found it really hard to get stuff together on short notice when the kids were at primary school. They always seemed to assume we had loads of clothes. I don't like book Day either. Sacreliege I know!

The fact that so many boys will not wear something associated with girls full stop. The fact that a poster said they got much more cash when it wasn't just breast cancer.

These things bother me. They really do.

At our old school on mufti day you could pay £1 to wear civvies - or £1 to not wear civvies.

Buy a pink tshirt?! Borrow one?!

Plenty of boys wear pink nowadays. Next seems to have fair bit specifically.

I agree that it’s a shame that colours are still gendered, but if you look at new baby gifts, they’re so often pink for girls and blue for boys and children absorb these messages from an early age. There is still very little ‘pink’ aimed at boys. Regardless of why this particular boy doesn’t like pink, these events should be inclusive, that’s why I’m trying to help his Mum find ways for him to join in. That is all!

And DS’s school colour is pink. It’s a boys school and the colour was chosen by the boys way back in ye olden days. So link scarf, sports kits etc.

Loads of men wear pink. Have done for years.

There was a definite trend for pink shirts under suits about 5 years ago. I've seen men at work in pink shirts, socks etc.

I find it depressing that an event for breast cancer is deemed not inclusive because boys don't like pink and makes more money according to PP if it's blue and for male cancers.

It's just a colour fgs. And if course more. Why will girls wear blue but boys not wear pink? Why does including male cancers raise more than 'just' breast cancer?

Yes it bothers me.

I have a pink snood which ds borrowed for his pink day

Breast Cancer charities and the colour pink aren't inclusive of men and boys

Right.

@Bunkumum

Having taught approximately a million children I can tell you with confidence that the vast majority LOVE and look forward to a dress up days. It’s why we do it. I hope you miserable lot don’t piss on their chips in front of them and keep your moaning about their school for after bedtime. Just dress said child in any clothes at all. It’s really not important. It’s about donating to charity and not wearing uniform. Find something with 1cm squared of pink on it if you can. Or don’t. But please be happy about lovely school things in front of your children, it must be so disheartening to children when they are excited about something and then they have their adult just moaning about what a massive pain in the arse they are for daring to attend a school that suggests opening their wardrobe and looking for an alternative outfit once a term.

You may have taught a million children but you haven’t parented a million. There are issues children’s lives that teachers are often not aware of. My child’s teacher will have no idea that the mere thought of having to open her wardrobe and find an alternative outfit causes her major anxiety (see my earlier post). Many families can’t afford alternative outfits or accessories in a particular colour. Please don’t assume that any parent who doesn’t like these events is just having a moan at a teeny bit of inconvenience. You may see a child every day but you don’t see everything.

Buy a breast cancer pin badge and stick
It on his hoodie. They are &1

If your child doesn't want to dress up they don't have to though. You don't have to send the money in either if you can't afford it, they won't say anything.
My son keeps asking when pyjamas day is in school lol he loves dressing up

Rainbow there must be something pink somewhere!

I agree it's shit to spring this stuff last minute. But there must be something. Anything he can just carry even.

Paper or card hat if you've got the materials. Or an improvised pocket square if it's a traditional uniform.

Anything. Socks are easy, though.

@EmbarrassedUser

A pink t-shirt. She’s over thinking this.

That I my works if they already have a pink t shirt though. My ds’s don’t. I wouldn’t buy one through. Just send them with the nearest you have and a £1 and they’ll be fine.

@DustyLoafer

I don't own anything pink and never have, I'd have to get a cheapo t-shirt from Asda.

Neither do I and my work did a wear it pink day once. I turned yo in my regulation black that I always wear and thick as shit colleague was saying ‘why aren’t you wearing pink, it’s pink day!’I said ‘I don’t have anything pink!’ She then said ‘neither do I, I borrowed this tip from my sister!’ I don’t have be a sister, a sister in law, my friends are all different sizes to me, as is my mum!!! We don’t all have a handy pink loving sister and I certainly wasn’t spending money on it,

If they've got to pay the "optional" quid to the school for a non-uniform day, the school won't give a toss what they wear.

@Rainbowb

Like I said. No one HAS to buy anything. No one HAS to donate. My oldest DS has never dressed up ever in his whole life. He hates it with a passion. On dress up days we use what he has to vaguely follow the theme but in something that he is still comfortable to wear. He’s terrified of Halloween for example so he just wears the nearest outfit he has in his wardrobe to black. What he does have to understand is that other children and adults LOVE dressing up. LOVE picking and planning their outfits and that’s fine too. We talk about how everyone is different. (I hate dressing up and have never dressed up either) They shouldn’t miss out on their idea of fun because he doesn’t like dressing up. We can all just do what we are comfortable with.

I mainly talked about the language you use with your children about their teacher and school. Be positive.

YOU DONT HAVE TO SPEND ANY MONEY EVER ON COLOUR OR DRESS UP DAYS. YOU REALLY DONT. Just wear what makes you comfortable, discuss the charity the money is going to and why it’s lovely to support charities and then go about your day.

@PhilCornwall1

If they've got to pay the "optional" quid to the school for a non-uniform day, the school won't give a toss what they wear.

This with bells on.

The schools may not but children do care and children worry.

@Rainbowb

I agree that it’s a shame that colours are still gendered, but if you look at new baby gifts, they’re so often pink for girls and blue for boys and children absorb these messages from an early age. There is still very little ‘pink’ aimed at boys. Regardless of why this particular boy doesn’t like pink, these events should be inclusive, that’s why I’m trying to help his Mum find ways for him to join in. That is all!

Pink day has nothing to do with gender but that the Breast Cancer charity is choosing this colour. Maybe explain that men can get breast cancer as well, very rare but possible.