To think World Buy an expensive costume Day & it's costume buying aren't cricket

[3Daddy31982]

I don't like world buy an overpriced cosumeday. Not every family can afford £19?
Aibu?

Flamingo Yellow your post sums up why this has become a negative thing.Was yours not free choice, did the school specify a particular theme?
I would really flag up now to your children that no outfit will be bought next time.

It doesn't have to be super expensive. Mine were a cop and a robber. I bought a black and white striped T-shirt from Amazon for £5 for DS1 age 7 who then made his own mask out of black and white paper. Borrowed a police overall from toddler group for DS2 age 3. Both of them were delighted

I just look at what we have and find a character that way.

This year they have to dress up as a word that others can guess. A bit easier thankfully

Dressing as a word?! I'd cry at that point.
My mind just doesn't work that way and nor do my kids': so glad I'm out of it now!!

@CommonPrimrose

Dressing as a word?! I'd cry at that point. My mind just doesn't work that way and nor do my kids': so glad I'm out of it now!!

Could make it interesting and dress them all in brown. Tell the kids it’s faeces but in reality you’re said it’s shit the theme

I’ve been doing WBD for the last 20yrs, as I’ve had primary aged children for all that time!

Today is my last one, as dd leaves primary this year.

I’ve spent so much money on outfits, which I don’t mind as they’ve enjoyed it. I won’t be missing the headaches though, of helping them decide what to go as……especially as they get older (and fussier 🙄😁)

Going forward, I do think school need to be more responsible about what they ask parents to provide. There’s always something to pay for, and everything is getting so expensive. It’s about to get worse too….

CommonPrimrose they can wear their own clothes if they want, but again it's the peer pressure that all their friends will be dressing up. Most years it is just 'dress as your favourite book character' but then every so often they will say something like 'everyone has to wear their pyjamas to school for WBD this year' or 'everyone has to dress as an animal' and they only ever announce it with less than a week's notice, for maximum stress .

Oh I'd hate that.

My favourite plan when mine were little and I was tearing my hair out, was to keep them off and then say they were Godot. Never did it though...

I like the keep them off and saying they were Godot. Strongly suspect school may be less impressed. Ah A-Level English Literature!

I'd also cry at the word. WTAFlip?

@CommonPrimrose

Dressing as a word?! I'd cry at that point. My mind just doesn't work that way and nor do my kids': so glad I'm out of it now!!

I would too!

@thepeopleversuswork

I hate to be Bah Humbug about this because I hate Bah Humbug, because its meant well and I like the idea of encouraging reading....

But it seems almost designed for maximum parental humiliation and hassle. The vast majority of parents either don't have the time or don't have the money to do the costumers (or both). Those rare kids with parents who can do one or both stick out like rich kids in a slum.

If I actually felt it had an impact on levels of reading/literacy I might feel more disposed to tolerating the lunacy but it patently doesn't: most of the kids wear costumes which have sod all to do with books and its become an exercise in one-upmanship and stealthy mummy bragging. It can get in the bin.

This! Exactly what I mean!