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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Staying in school uniform after school?

217 replies

Jupin · 13/10/2020 19:12

Thought I would start a thread to see what others do as my partner and his family always comment on the fact that my DS stays in his uniform after school and I don’t see the issue so wondered if it isn’t normal.

He has fresh uniform every day but keeps it on until he gets ready for bed. If he wants to get changed then he will just get ready for bed early but I’ve never got him to get changed into other clothes when we got home and partner thinks I should.

I never got changed after school apart from as a teen when I was going out with friends after school. But partner and family are really judgey about it like it isn’t normal and it’s not hygienic (not covid they have always felt that way).

So do your children get changed after school and Is there something I’m missing about why I should be making him change?

OP posts:
Mostlylurkingiam · 14/10/2020 05:39

I always got out of my uniform after school. But then I nearly always change as an adult once I get home into something comfy. And now with covid I would always change clothes, especially if in a school!

Oysterbabe · 14/10/2020 07:09

Well most adults surely do change after work don’t they, into something more comfortable? I have never sat at home watching Coronation Street in my suit.

Workplaces where a suit is a requirement are becoming few and far between. I'm a lawyer and wear jeans, a tshirt and trainers to work. Now I'm work from home I wear PJs most of the time 😂

AlwaysLatte · 14/10/2020 07:17

Are they going to do the extra washing?
Who? The children?? No of course not! 🤣

Fluffybutter · 14/10/2020 07:18

Dd always gets charged as soon as she gets home, I’d never keep her in uniform as schools aren’t the cleanest and she’s always more than happy to get get changed straight away.
Especially now .

MillieVanilla · 14/10/2020 07:20

Mine have started getting undressed now straight after school, because I use disinfectant spray on their blazers, ties, bags and shoes and I put the rest in the washing machine.
DD never used to bother, DS (Asperger's) loves walking round in pants and socks whatever the weather so no change for him as he hates wearing clothes Blush

OfTheNight · 14/10/2020 07:27

We all have a shower and get changed in to comfy stuff - hoodies and joggers basically. I just think I always can’t wait to get in, wash the day off and get out of my stuffy work clothes and DS doesn’t love his uniform either. But I don’t think it matters if your kid is comfy and happy, just do what works for you.

Fluffybutter · 14/10/2020 07:31

[quote YellowJellyfish]@MeltingIceCaps As I've read from this thread it is indeed not a sign of bad parenting if kids are still wearing their uniform. I was obviously being a McJudgy Judgeface.

However when I was young, many thousands of years ago, the kids out playing in the street still wearing their uniforms were normally the ones where the parents didn't give a fuck. Probably, looking back, those were the warmest and cleanest clothes they had :(

Around here no one wears their uniforms in the school park or in the street to play. Not even to go round their mates houses. But the great thing about mumnset is you live and learn. And it appears to be the norm nowadays. Maybe because uniforms are so much bloody cheaper now. [/quote]
I must admit, I had the same perception.
It was usually the kids who also came out with dinner down their fronts and round their mouths too.
I don’t class it as being “judgey” though as it was always the children we knew to be from the poorer homes and it’s just an ingrained memory from my childhood.

Weebitawks · 14/10/2020 07:34

When it's warmer they might get changed if we're going out to play etc but in the winter we generally all out jammies on when we get home.

Cam2020 · 14/10/2020 07:39

My daughter is in preschool and I work full time, so no, she doesn't change. We don't get home until around 6pm, so by the time we've had dinner and she's had a bath it's almost bedtime, so no point.

MyShinyWhiteTeeth · 14/10/2020 07:40

I think it's very low risk like washing your shopping but my be best practise in a shielding household of the most vulnerable people.

Irisheyesrsmiling · 14/10/2020 07:55

I have very few things that bother me, but my dc staying in uniform is one of them, even before covid. I just far prefer everyone to come home and change into something more comfortable. I don't launder clothes that we only worn 2-3 hours (except undies) so at most it creates a couple extra tshirts and jogging bottoms for laundry/week.

With covid I do prefer everyone washes hands and changes as soon as they arrive home.

drspouse · 14/10/2020 08:03

@UntamedWisteria

Mine changes and I spray her uniform with an anti bac febreeze.

Shock

Which is going to do a lot against a virus Confused
GhostTypeEevee · 14/10/2020 08:10

Mine normally gets changed into pjs but that's just because he has become a professional lounger and likes being as comfy as possible

cricketmum84 · 14/10/2020 09:12

@drspouse there's more bugs and germs etc flying around at the moment than the dreaded C-word! It's still a precaution for any time especially when they are in the same blazer every day.

Mypathtriedtokillme · 14/10/2020 09:18

Mine always have to get changed when they get home from school.
It’s just one of those getting home from school tasks, along with washing your hands, putting your school bag away, lunch box on the bench, get out if your uniform.
It’s more comfortable anyway.

Mia1415 · 14/10/2020 10:02

My DS has never changed when he comes home from school or his childminder and I've never changed when I come home from work. Why create more washing.

SleepingStandingUp · 14/10/2020 10:05

I think in part or depends on the uniform. DS is gross and sweatshirt so might take off his trousers and walk around in just his t-shirt. If it was short and your I expect he'd get entirely changed. Do try and get him into PJ's if he's going to want clothes though

notso · 14/10/2020 10:11

Mine always get changed. It was instilled into me by my parents.
When they were at school they got into trouble for being seen loitering in school uniform or even worse eating after school hours in school uniform. My Dad had to stand on a bin for two hours and my Mum who was spotted with friends in a cafe in her uniform had to wear her school hat all day, even for swimming!
I think uniform is generally impractical and uncomfortable so my kids are happy to change, it's just built into our routine.

Marmite27 · 14/10/2020 10:15

Mine have a bath or shower immediately on returning home and put on clean clothes or pjs every day.

This was requested by nursery as part of the conditions of them reopening. It also requested clean clothes every day and hair tied back where long enough.

We’ve now got one at nursery and one at school, but have just carried on.

cooperage · 14/10/2020 10:18

DS never used to change, but in the Covid world he showers and changes when he gets in and I chuck his blazer, tie and mask in a 15-min quick wash every day so he has a clean set of clothes each morning.

EllieQ · 14/10/2020 10:28

DD (in Year 1) changes out of her school uniform when she gets home - we did this last year in reception as well. DH and I always changed out of our smart work clothes into something more comfortable when we got home (back in pre-lockdown days when we weren’t working from home), so it seemed natural to do the same with DD.

It doesn’t create too much washing as she wears the same non-school clothes for a couple of days as she’s only in them for a couple of hours, so it’s usually only two extra outfits to wash.

I always changed out of school uniform when I got home - partly to keep it in good condition, and partly to have a divide between school and home. Once I was out of uniform, I could relax!

Sally872 · 14/10/2020 16:44

I think the kids covered in muck/food etc look like they are having the best time. It is the more pristine children I feel sorry for as it looks like they are too scared to have fun for fear if getting their fancy clothes dirty.

Messy children do not mean uncared for.

ComeOnBabyPopMyBubble · 14/10/2020 17:09

Before Covid, DD always changed as she was clean enough and young (not sweating) enough to reuse the uniform for several days. No point in washing it and making extra work.

Now she still gets changed as that's what she's used to.

turnitonagain · 15/10/2020 00:20

@BogRollBOGOF

The uniform is generally only fit for one wear anyway so they keep it on. No point in trashing another set of clothes. Less so at the moment, but some nights they have to change into kit for extra-curriculars.

Not worried about Covid. If my darling little disease vector has managed to get it splattered all over their clothes, the child is probably contaminated anyway and we're all doomed from the moment they charge out of school and hug me. Plus the inside of their coat would be contaminated and I'm not burning fresh coats every day.
Apparently the NSPCC frowns upon quarentining children in the garage overnight Wink

There are other contagious diseases besides COVID that are hardier and can be transferred through surfaces. It’s good practice honestly no reason not to do it.
Greyshaggyrug · 15/10/2020 00:28

Mine stay in their uniform. Suits me as I’d end up with two sets of clothes in the wash every day otherwise!