To not send my son to school in pyjamas?

[Throughthelongnight]

My son came home yesterday and said that they had been told to wear pyjamas to school on Friday, but he wasn't sure why.

He is not at all happy about this and has asked not to go in on that day.

I suspect it is for Children in need. I talked with him yesterday, and am sure it is due to his nocturnal enuresis, that he would feel uncomfortable in nightwear, although he hasn't said as much.

I have suggested buying new pyjamas, as his current ones are getting a little small, or borrowing his brothers (much coverted) angry bird ones. I have also suggested wearing jogging trousers and a tshirt instead, but he is adamant that he doesn't want to go.

He loves school, so I am sure this is not just a ploy to get out of going, and he was very upset.

So aibu to just keep him at home, and should I tell them why, or just invent a sore throat?

[feebeecat]

Nobody would want to see me walking to work in my nightie

That said, one of mine marched off happily enough, the other changed her mind (as predicted) so has gone in t-shirt/tracksuit bottoms and pj jacket - a passing nod at the theme - she meant to take the rest of them in school bag, but just found them on the table - opps.

[perfectstorm]

Blimey, DS' PJ's cover his whole body other than feet, hands and head - don't most peoples'? And not sure what modesty has to do with it anyway tbh.

I wouldn't send him either. If you're usually tough on attendance and he has a real and genuine issue such as that, why push it? A single day at home with work supervised by you isn't going to kill him. And I say that as someone whose Reception year child was also appalled by the idea and in tears, but who made him go in because he'd be fine once he did, and there was no actual issue other than the change from the norm. Your DS' situation is different. I think you made the right call.

[Throughthelongnight]

I agree nannyogg, and none of my night attire if fit to be seen in public.

I wonder if the powers that be consider these issues.

[Nanny0gg]

I would have been the same as your son. I would have hated wearing my PJs or standing out in something different.

And I am so glad I'm retired,because I bet the staff have to wear pyjamas too. I used to loathe any form of dressing up.

How embarrassing!

[Retropear]

Ours are allowed to go in non school uniform too- thankfully as my 10 year old twin boys would have not relished pj wearing one little bit.

[englishteacher78]

It was Children In Need's idea! Not sure why in November - seems more of a Comic Relief thing to me anyway.

[ICameOnTheJitney]

My DD was like this too! It is a silly idea....I did the packing them in her bag idea incase she changed her mind....she did! She came home in them having got changed in school.

[gorionine]

Yes, I think it might be better! You need to also make sure the value of your house is mentioned in the article as well as whether you are receiving any kind of benefit at all! Depending on both, you might swing opinions!

[wangle99]

DS (10) is the same here, he is going in full school uniform not PJs. He did make me laugh because he said I'll still donate my money but i'm not wearing pjs!

[Throughthelongnight]

Gorionine would it be better if I wear my glasses and smile? Nothing too confrontational?

[gorionine]

Nah, won't work,! Read any DM comments lately? People will only point out "that" face you are pulling for the pictures and blame all the world's misery on you pandering to your child! Better not!
Not sure about the fine though, what does it say on unauthorised absence in your school policy? I would imagine they cannot actually fine you unless it is very clear in the school policy.

[Throughthelongnight]

Just thinking about the possibility of a fine? Plan to contact Daily Fail - Mother Fined For Keeping DS home to Practice SATS rather than bounce on bouncy castle in PJ!!!!! Or something more succinct as this will obviously make the front page

[gorionine]

Fair enough, much better to be upfront! Wishing you both a nice day tomorrow!

[Throughthelongnight]

Thank you for all your replies, the decision has been made as I posted earlier.

I am not going to invent an illness, but email the school to say that ds feels too uncomfortable to join in and equally uncomfortable to not.

I will add that we plan to spend sometime revising for sats and if they want to put it down as unauthorised absence, so be it.

[itscockyfoxagain]

DD will be wearing her PJs over her clothes tomorrow. She isn't happy about it though and has declared it weird. She is 3 nearly 4.

[gorionine]

If it was one of my DSs, I would send them to school in uniform with pyjamas/jogging bottoms-T-shirt in a bag if they wish to change when they see their friends are in nightwear. I would not invent sickness though, very bad idea IMHO.

[cardibach]

I promise you there is nothing immodest about my pjs, rabbit! Not sure what your worry is, tbh
Joggers, t-shirt and dressing gown will be fine (and warm). I am a bit concerned about people going on about the cold all over MN tonight! As a further aside, we have non-uniform day with pjs and onesies explicitly forbidden!

[garlictrivia]

There was a Mumsnetter who sent her DC in uniform with pyjamas over the top. Sounds sensible to me.

I wouldn't go outdoors in pyjamas! It's 6° during the day here!

[Hulababy]

"how can I bring up modest young people with that kind of thing going on?"

Really???? Just really???

But anyway - op:

No to day off school.
Yes to normal clothes that could be PJs - joggers, t shirt, etc
Yes to normal uniform

His decision then, but def has to go in.

[JohnnyBarthes]

modest young people, rabbit ?

OP, you know your son so I'm not going to disagree with your decision, but had this been mine (no enuresis, granted) he'd have gone in mufti with his dressing gown over the top.

[Throughthelongnight]

I have spoken to ds and it would appear that he feels wearing uniform or mufti will just draw attention to him.

I explained that I and most of mn thought he should just bite the bullet and face the fear, but he was in tears, so I caved and said we will have a pj day at home, and do some revision (sats year).

This is clearly not going to harm his education, and as I mentioned before his self esteem and confidence is fragile at the moment ( as is mine tbh) so I feel that it is the right decision and he will feel listened to and respected.

[rabbitlady]

it is children in need. we all got emails from them telling us to get the children into school in their nightclothes. ridiculous. how can I bring up modest young people with that kind of thing going on?
if they have to wear nightclothes, put them on over their uniform.

[swampytiggaa]

Ours have PJ day tomorrow. Mine will be wearing normal clothes or uniform. Too bloody cold imo.

[englishteacher78]

The teacher fundraising pack from Children In Need this year suggested a pyjama day as a change from the normal non-uniform day - they have also released special pudsey onsies.
There are always students who forget non-uniform day at ours. They get a bit of ribbing in the morning and then everyone just carries on as normal. Go in in uniform.