AIBU with this idea for school dress up day

[Sunflowersinthewind]

Ok I need other opinions as sometimes what I find funny in my head doesn't always translate as funny to other people

DS has a day coming up soon where he has to dress in "crazy" clothing for school (primary)

AIBU to find an old jumper and write "crazy on the inside" on it?

I'm worried as 1) its not an appropriate joke for that age, I dont want people to think I'm making fun of mental illness and 2) DS is autistic and I dont want people to think I'm making fun of that? The more I write it down, it isnt funny is it.

Aaaarrgghhh, does anyone have any bloody idea of what is crazy clothing?

FWIW, my DS does find the idea hilarious but he has unfortunately inherited my sense of humour

I don't really get the joke you were trying to make sorry

I understand why you feel a bit touchy about this, particularly as your son has autism and that word could be used as an offensive term for him.

The school should have said "dress up in silly clothes" and given examples because "crazy" has other connotations.

@Sunflowersinthewind

I think I'm just going to let him wear what he wants. Perversely if he chooses "normal" clothes then he will be the only one and therefore fitting the bill of unusual for that day

I actually think he's likely to be in the majority if he wears regular clothes. Many will use it as a chance for a non uniform day.

Wear normal clothes but back to front or inside out?

Get some hair crayons and send him in with blue hair, face paint/glitter, neon top, odd socks, that kind of thing.

We had crazy hair day at our school and the kids loved it.

I think I am railing against the idea that wearing bright, mismatched clothing should immediately mark you out as whacky or whatever. People can just wear what they want without having a label attached to it!

Also odd socks day for anti-bullying week. I get it in some respects but I don't know.

Although saying all this, my first idea was proper shit and misplaced so apologies.

I see where you're coming from.

What does your son think of it? Autism usually means interpreting things very literally so he might not get the concept of "crazy clothing" and the different connotations of the same word.

If he's not excited about the idea then yes, let him wear what he wants and just hand in his pound for Children and Need. It's supposed to be fun, no one should be feeling uncomfortable.

@Sunflowersinthewind ahh I see what you're saying.

Its basically not funny in my head to teach him that wearing anything outside of societal norms is crazy.

Anyway I asked him for ideas and he has come up with wearing all his clothes at once a la Joey from Friends

He's come up with the idea of wearing all his clothes at once brilliant as long as he's on board with dressing in a silly way for fun. I hope it's cold that day!

We've got odd socks for anti bullying week. For secondary school. Not sure why wearing odd socks will stop bullying.......

@Sunflowersinthewind

Its basically not funny in my head to teach him that wearing anything outside of societal norms is crazy.

Anyway I asked him for ideas and he has come up with wearing all his clothes at once a la Joey from Friends

Thats a good idea. Yes I see exactly what you're saying now. If anything it would lead to more bullying.

I suppose I am being a bit touchy as if you extrapolate that message, then being or behaving in a way outside of societal norms would also be considered crazy or wacky and what does that say to my son?

I think all it says to a child is that it's fun to wear unmatched wacky clothing sometimes. I don't think they'll be thinking of it deeper than that.

@Sunflowersinthewind

I suppose I am being a bit touchy as if you extrapolate that message, then being or behaving in a way outside of societal norms would also be considered crazy or wacky and what does that say to my son?

Yes I see your point , maybe you could feed back to school for next year?

@cowburp

Right.. you think it's a dress up day to mock people with mental illness do you?

The op’s clearly misunderstood the poor wording. My schools have similar days but call them dress creatively days

I’d assume it just means mismatched/clashing eg lots of bright contrasting colours, stripes with spots, spray on hair dye, outlandish hair styles etc? As in bizarre combinations?

You are really overthinking this. It's wear clashing colours etc - the clothes themselves are being described as crazy. Not as in 'dress up as if you have a mental illness or are neurodiverse'.

I definitely think you’re overthinking it.
Lots of people use the word “crazy” to mean like wacky, or unusual in a fun way.
I have an anxiety disorder and have been to therapy for a long time, and I’m not going to clutch my pearls and faint if someone wears something unusual and describes it as “a bit crazy”.

Yeh I wouldn’t do this

Ours are doing odd sock day but we won’t be taking part, pointless you can’t even see the socks when kids are wearing their uniform

Any 1980s outfit & big hair would fit the bill.

Just some ideas: Swimming shorts over trousers; socks on ears or hands; a tie as a headband, etc.

Clothes on back to front? I suggest a hoodie, tracksuit bottoms and a t shirt with a picture on it. If you have one he could wear a mask on the back of his head.

Just check he is comfortable first!