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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To take children on holiday still in their school uniforms?

61 replies

cuntrybumpkin · 01/06/2012 16:57

I've cocked up the timings for our great half term getaway and forgot that the kids are at an after school event until 6 which means that if we're going to get our flight then there's literally just time to bundle them into the car and head straight for the airport. I haven't got space to pack a change of clothes for them in hand luggage and there won't be time for them to change before the baggage gets checked in.

AIBU to expect them to be happy wearing their uniforms for a 5 hour flight then transfer at the other end?

OP posts:

ChaosTrulyReigns · 01/06/2012 17:25

I did this once - went straight on holiday after school with them in their summer dresses (except ChaoticBoy obvis) who drive for hours and hours and got to the hotel - realised I hadn't packed an overnight bag and everything was TetrisPacked in the boot/roof box so they had to get up and dressed back into uniform fur teh nex leg of the journey to the holiday home.

Hulababy · 01/06/2012 17:29

Can you not collect them early?
Surely school would understand?

Celerychampagne · 01/06/2012 17:30

Didn't Harry Potter wear his uniform to all sorts of exciting weird events? Surely the simple fact they are going On Holiday, On a Plane should be enough to get excited about. Put a nice top spin on it and enjoy your holiday!!

Personally, I'd be happy to fly in manky pjs if it meant I was going somewhere!

TeaOneSugar · 01/06/2012 17:33

Will you be making a comfort stop on the way?

DD has been known to get changed in the motorway services ladies loo in similar circumstances.

Original poster

cuntrybumpkin · 01/06/2012 17:33

They're helping to organise it so can't be pulled away early, and they've got guests like elderly residents and so forth. I agree it's shit that it's on a Friday night but I can't do anything about that now.

Quirrel - I think that might have to be the answer

OP posts:

gingerfrizz · 01/06/2012 17:48

Mine wouldn't be bothered. If ever we go anywhere after school they have a 'default' setting for making school uniform seem more relaxed by untucking the shirt and loosening the tie to the V of the jumper!

CelstialNavigation · 01/06/2012 20:14

Get them to add tiaras to jazz up their look

Amy Farrah Fowler style

sashh · 02/06/2012 04:36

Does the airport have a post office? There will be time to change between check in and flights - if you take a change of clothes for them and have a pre addressed large jiffy bag / box stick the uniforms in that and post it home.

Or ask the school if they can change before or part way through the tea party.

seeker · 02/06/2012 05:58

Hang on- you've " ballsed up big time" because your children will have to get changed in the car as you take them on holiday? What sort of brats are we talking about here?!

ribbonsandrainboughs · 02/06/2012 06:08

That's a bit harsh isn't it?

PorridgeBrain · 02/06/2012 06:32

Can't they leave the event slightly early? It can't be mandatory at 6 pm. I would give them the choice - leave early or wear uniform on flight - simples!

Rosa · 02/06/2012 06:41

Run to car taking off shirt in the process. Pull on t shirt as you strap them in. Pull off trousers en route , pull on change of trousers as you get out. Leave school clothes in car . If girls easier a s askirt they can pull on in seconds.
I personally would prefer they were in holiday clothes as its an extra change if needed for the holiday. Also if 2 parents 1 can run ahead to get in check in queue with the luggage whilst the other changes the clothes in the car park ..presuming you are parking on site. If kids know they are going on holiday they can be very quick when they want to.

bigTillyMint · 02/06/2012 06:43

Rosa, I don't think any 12/14yo girls would strip whilst running ro a car

littlemslazybones · 02/06/2012 06:55

Am I being dense? I just don't get the problem here, why can't they travel in their uniform?

Is there another RULE I don't know about?

seeker · 02/06/2012 07:22

It's not harsh. The op is talking about "ballsing up big time" and coming on here making complicated plans about post offices at air .ports and pre addressed jiffy bags and saying her daughters "won't be impressed" because they will have a choice of travelling in school uniform or getting changed in the car. As they go on holiday.

In what way is that not brattish behaviour?

HexagonalQueenOfTheSummer · 02/06/2012 07:26

Why do they 'have' to stay to school until 6? Just tell the school they'll be leaving early.

ribbonsandrainboughs · 02/06/2012 07:28

I do actually think there's a large difference between calling a child a brat and describing the behaviour as brattish.

Second one much preferable.

onadifferentplanet · 02/06/2012 07:30

I have a friend who is a taxi driver who will tell you that teenage girls are experts in the art of changing their clothes in the back of taxis having left their homes in the outfits their parents approved of and changing into what thy actually want to wear befor they reach their destination!
Don't understand the fuss two minutes in the school cloakroom to change and leave the school stuff in the boot at the airport.

StealthPolarBear · 02/06/2012 07:33

What sort of uniform are we talking? If they have a tie it will be off for the event, surely? Could you send a change infor them to change into 10 mins before the end, when presmably they'll need to go to the loo anyway (or am I thinking of much younger children :o). I'm sure the school wont mind.

thestringcheesemassacre · 02/06/2012 07:40

travel in uniform. they can deal with it. I wouldn't care whether my DC were impressed or not.
surely you can take them out a little earlier?

exoticfruits · 02/06/2012 08:02

It seems a lot of fuss. Pretend that you haven't even thought of it. Pick them up and say ' whoops- forgot about clothes - I have put some in the car- you can either change in the car or go like that'. It is then up to them- their problem and not yours.

hopenglory · 02/06/2012 08:03

I feel that you may be overthinking and over reacting a little.

Give them the choice, get changed in the car or travel in their uniform. It's not like it's the only thing they are going to wear for the entire holiday.

Although now I am thinking that you've already gone and what I think is irrelevant

exoticfruits · 02/06/2012 08:04

That is true- what did you do?

MsVestibule · 02/06/2012 08:23

This has to be the biggest non-problem I have ever read on MN! Seriously OP, you actually sound scared of your children's reactions. If they have time to get changed somewhere, great. If not, they either travel in uniform or don't come. And whatever you do, do NOT be apologetic about it at all. Just shrug it off and if they complain, just say "What's the problem? I've got more to worry about than 2 teenage girls travelling in school uniform."

Who's the boss here? Or am I just a really hard parent .

flexybex · 02/06/2012 16:46

I'm worried that cuntry can't work this one out for herself.
You said it MsV - biggest non-problem ever.

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