to think that if the note says 'costume made by child'..

[InkyStamp]

then it should be?

Dropped dc off at nursery. We had been told to dress them up in a costume made by the child. The note even stated that it didnt have to be anything elaborate, even just a cardboard box with paper stuck to it as a hat. But it did stress that it was to be made by the child.

Probably 80% or more of the children were dressed in princess dresses, buzz lightyear suits, Santa suits - all bought from the shop. As far as I could see (and they were all lined up in front of us) they didnt even 'embellish' these with a homemade something or other like a wand or hat.

My dc spent ages painting and sticking and was proud of it ( I did have to ask what it was though!!) and couldnt wait to see friends creations. When he got to school there was tears because his 'wasnt as good as the 'proper' ones, Mummy'. He was crushed :(

I am not saying everything has to be home made (FGS who has the time???) but on this occasion it really was stressed that the kids should make it.

we gave a prize at Brownies to one girl who came as a zookeeper (own clothes, toy monkey on her shoulder) - she hadn't had time to make a "proper" costume, and hadn't resorted to a bought dressing up outfit. We thought it showed imagination and initiative. The mummies of the Disney Princess brownies weren't so impressed, but we stood our ground .

Put a picture of him on your profile on here and we'll all shower praise on him :)

Of course it is much nicer when children amke their own costumes and I'm sure your DC's teachers will recognise the effort he has put in; good for him too. However, sorry people but it doesn't make us worse parents if we resort to running to Tesco for an outfit, probably just means we are very very busy. (And I am the person who, at college, made her own bumble bee costume complete with wire and net curtain wings for fancy dress so I know it is better to do your own)

Ah poor little thing! Explain to your child that the shop bought costumes weren't better then his because it didn't follow the rules and cheated and so they just don't count. I'd tell him that the other kids were lazy (perhaps a bit harsh but who cares)and he did a fantastic job and that I was sure the teacher agreed.

YABU not every parent has time or materials to help a child make a costume.

Caboodle - I in no way implied that it made anyone a bad parent! I dont think that. I just wish people would follow the notes instructions, otherwise children are left hurt.

MrManager - Some of our materials were supplied by the nursery upon request as I didnt have the colour paper he needed/wanted.

MrManager....EVERYONE has a cornflake box....or some kind of old box.

Inkystamp - today (after posting) I found out that, despite DS1's teacher sending a note home saying clearly that all children in his class should wear white t-shirt / black shorts for nativity (they are all sheep to avoid any upset ), and her stating that no-one should buy OR make anything, at least 4/5 parents have bought sheep costume! Why? I can still understand busy parent rushing to shops to get angel / Mary costume etc but when the stated outfit is basically their PE kit, and it is done to avoid upset children, why wouldn't a parent jump with joy at the ease of it all? I suppose I am saying I may be coming round to your way of thinking.

Your poor child. I hope they shower praise on him for making his own.
Still, it sounds like homework. I wouldn't like to be told to make my child make a costume at home.

It is DD (5) nativity play on Friday and she is an angel. I told her I would make a costume....at which point she looked at the floor shuffled her feet and said "muuuuuumm can't you just buy one..."

Seriously though inky many people don't have the time to follow the instructions to allow their child to make their own costume. As someone pointed out materials need to be gathered, supervision is needed, some assistance at least given with cutting etc.

Try having two, three, or four children who all require different costumes for different days that have to be sorted after a long day at work and after dinner has been made and homework completed.

Between costumes for book day/nativity play/carol concert/bring some cakes for christmas/summer/any other random day/bottles for the tombola/harvest festival/presents for the teacher/design a christmas card/poster/advert for aforementioned fair/concert/play, learn lines/dance /music I wish the school would just back off!

So how was he at the end of the day, Inky?

Caboodle - at my DD's nursery the teacher made all the nativity costumes herself - all beautiful, used year after year; no parental input required or accepted. There's a lot to be said or putting a control freak in charge.

My grandmother made loads of costumes for me and my friends when I was in primary school that were then given to the school for whoever played my part the next year.

I recently went to watch the nativity play at my old primary school (lots of friends DCs were starring) and, 25 years later, they are still using my Nan's costumes.

The best was seeing one of my friend's DCs kitted out as one of the three kings in my Nan's old curtains.

:) Choco :)

I'm still shocked by parents writing children's poems, etc, although I should be used to the idea by now. I reckon Karma's right about asking the school to make it a school activity - the kids will have more pride in a self-made costume than a retail contest anyway.

Apocalypse, your story reminded me of the girl at my school who turned up as a parcel! She had stamps and postmarks all over the brown paper - we were all dead jealous, she seemed so well-travelled! I realise your expereince wasn't the same - but wouldn't like to diss the idea, it's a good one!

From my grumpy student days...

Black and white stripes = Bah Humbug

How was your DS when you picked him up Inky? Hope he had a lovely day in the end