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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

WIBU to get the school cardigan for DS?

78 replies

SwoopRoar · 25/08/2017 21:03

Hello,

DS is going into Reception and finds a jumper really hard to remove. I'm sure a teacher would help him, but it's definitely something that gets him in a bit of a fluster.

They have a cardigan option (they are with school trends, so get the school logo put on) and it hasn't got any silly frills, etc.

He often wears cardigans with shirts, etc. so it looks very unisex to me and in his little shorts, I'm sure he'd look adorable!

I'm just wondering if IWBU? Would children laugh, etc.? It would be so much more suitable. I've added a pic to show you what it's like.

WIBU to get the school cardigan for DS?
OP posts:
BrutusMcDogface · 25/08/2017 21:05

I have a feeling that the other reception aged kids wouldn't care but older ones might laugh at him?

Obviously neither you nor he should care about this, but.....

Turquoise0wl · 25/08/2017 21:05

I think it would look lovely! Smile

I can't imagine 4 year olds laughing, but I doubt any of the other boys would have it, so he could potentially stick out Sad

Mari50 · 25/08/2017 21:06

Wow, are cardigans only for girls? Every day is a school day. . .

formerbabe · 25/08/2017 21:06

It looks completely unisex to me.

My DC's school has a cardigan option too...both boys and girls wear it.

BrutusMcDogface · 25/08/2017 21:06

Ps many children find their jumpers hard to remove and boil as a result! Could you get him one in a bigger size so it's easier? Could you spend the next week teaching him how to do it? Do you have to have the logo one or could you get him a knit v-neck one in the right colour which would be easier to get off?

krummymummy · 25/08/2017 21:07

Depends on how the other children would view it. I think the older ones could be cruel. Personally I think is is unisex but if he was the only boy, they might pick on him.

BrutusMcDogface · 25/08/2017 21:08

In all schools I've ever worked in, I've never seen a single boy in a school cardi! Not to say they shouldnt wear them, of course!

mrwhitesfly · 25/08/2017 21:08

I've been an infant school teacher for 18 years and I've only ever seen one boy in a cardigan. Not saying you should or shouldn't, just making you aware that he may be the only one.

WunWun · 25/08/2017 21:09

I wouldn't risk it personally, but I say that as a long term victim of school bullying.

Original poster
SwoopRoar · 25/08/2017 21:09

The jumper that comes with a logo is actually a thinner one and v-neck. He just really struggles... We have practiced and practiced Sad

I have no idea how many/if any of the other boys will be having a cardigan.

WIBU to get the school cardigan for DS?
OP posts:
formerbabe · 25/08/2017 21:09

In all schools I've ever worked in, I've never seen a single boy in a school cardi!

Loads of boys at my DC's school wear the cardigan rather than the jumper.

ChickenBhuna · 25/08/2017 21:09

I think it's fine op.

It's just a school cardigan , I'd put my son in one.

Original poster
SwoopRoar · 25/08/2017 21:10

I obviously don't want to set him up for ridicule, but I also want him to be comfortable.

OP posts:
LightsOnNotIn · 25/08/2017 21:10

Well you're ahead of me when my son started reception! I bought two cardigans for him entirely oblivious to them being gendered in any way! Then about two weeks in I slowly realised that none of the boys were wearing cardigans, only the girls. Sad isn't it? I don't think the children will laugh.

WunWun · 25/08/2017 21:11

Just to add, I do think it looks unisex and certainly don't think cardigans are only for girls in general. I just wouldn't do anything to make my child stand out at school.

ChickenBhuna · 25/08/2017 21:11

He's four. His peers won't care about a cardigan.

formerbabe · 25/08/2017 21:11

Oh and my son is a stereotypical boy and actually prefers the cardigan and refuses to wear the jumpers I bought him!

It genuinely never occurred to me that they were anything other than unisex.

Dontrocktheboat · 25/08/2017 21:12

I have never seen a boy in a school cardigan. I'm also sure s lot of reception teacher time is spent helping kids get dressed/ undressed.

I would get the jumper, he'll probably get the hang of it soon enough and someone will help him in interim! ( just think of all these girls struggling with their tights...)

stoplickingthetelly · 25/08/2017 21:13

In the very pc world of mumsnet everyone will say it's fine. In real life he will probably be the only boy in a cardi and will stand out. Just need to decide if you/him are ok with this.

CorbynsBumFlannel · 25/08/2017 21:13

Boys tend to wear school jumpers and girls cardigans. If you don't think he will mind people will comment on him wearing a cardigan (or will mind it less than jumper frustration) then you could get him the cardigan but I'd probably rather practice dressing until he's confident with the jumper. If he struggles removing a jumper is he going to be able to do/undo the buttons on his cardigan if it's cold?
Like the op said if you get his jumper a size too big it will be easier to get off. Also works for polo shirts.

SkeletonSkins · 25/08/2017 21:14

I'm a Year 6 teacher and can't think of a single child who would pick on a Reception child, they think the little ones are cute! Even the toughest ones are very sweet with the little ones.

FunnyBird · 25/08/2017 21:15

There are boys in reception and yr 1 at my children's school who wear jumpers. Looks fine to me.

BarbarianMum · 25/08/2017 21:16

I can't imagine he's going to stand very far out for being the only boy wearing a cardigan age 4.

blackteasplease · 25/08/2017 21:16

I know my DD has point blank refused to wear a jumper in Yr 3 (we were given one). But in reception she probably would have gone with the flow.

OccamsRaiser · 25/08/2017 21:17

If you're worried about whether it really is unisex in practice, I don't suppose a zip-front fleece is an option? All my prep child's class have those (boys and girls) though I'm not UK-based.