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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Is uniform in Girlguides compulsory?

129 replies

GirlGuidesUniform · 21/03/2023 17:18

8yo DD.

I work on Brownies night, so I get her from after school club (who feed her for me), then she takes off school cardigan and wears the Brownies hoodie on top of her uniform for the meeting - she then has a clean school uniform the next day.

She does have a tshirt she wears for weekend events and camps and also a cap she uses for school. Also if a message comes out for full uniform, for example at Christmas when they sang in town or in summer when they did a walk around town I always try and work around it (e.g. the walk around town I asked if she could wear her school trousers and asked the TA running ASC very very nicely if DD could change into her tshirt and hoodie before I picked her up but they can’t do this all the time as the club is open until 6pm and is packed until then so they can’t be changing 50+ kids clothes all the time)

Brown Owl is now saying DD needs to be in proper uniform from after Easter. I asked what this meant and she said brownies tshirt (either long or short sleeve), brownies hoodie or gilet and either brownies trousers or brownies shorts.

I am happy to buy shorts and/or trousers for events but if she has to wear full uniform every week she’ll have to give up, which seems unfair as she absolutely loves Brownies. This is the only group that I can get her to, as it starts at 6pm, I finish work at 5pm and then have 30 minutes commute on public transport, then a walk to the school. If we went home first to change we’d be late for Brownies which I’ve done a few times when unavoidable but DD hates being late.

I’m a single parent so no other help. I drive but don't currently have a car as due to COL I just can't afford it.

This is the only out of school activity DD does due to me working so much so seems a shame to make her give it up.

Is the uniform compulsory? I always thought that the way we did it was fine, but happy to be told wrong

OP posts:
PuttingDownRoots · 21/03/2023 17:19

Can she change there?

nonevernotever · 21/03/2023 17:20

That's what I was going to suggest too.

NotSorry · 21/03/2023 17:20

PuttingDownRoots · 21/03/2023 17:19

Can she change there?

I was going to say that - I'm a cub leader and I expect full uniform but would be happy for cubs to change when they arrive

Snowontheblow · 21/03/2023 17:20

Clothes in a bag and she goes into the toilets when she gets there and changes

katsue · 21/03/2023 17:21

Do you walk or drive her there? My DS gets changed in the car.

Readingtheworld · 21/03/2023 17:21

Can’t she just change in the toilet, by herself, at school or Brownies? It might not be the nicest of places but means she can keep going.

FrogOfFrogHall · 21/03/2023 17:21

I always thought the uniform was compulsory but you'd really have to talk to your groups brown owl about your circs. As another idea, could you take the uniform to work and then go straight to brownies and have DD change in the toilets at the hut? Not a great solution but could be workable..

dizzygirl1 · 21/03/2023 17:21

Mine used to change in the car. Or as pp suggested change at brownies

PinkBuffalo · 21/03/2023 17:22

Years ago I used to occasionally get changed into my uniform at the church hall toilets could you dd do that?

Original poster
GirlGuidesUniform · 21/03/2023 17:22

katsue · 21/03/2023 17:21

Do you walk or drive her there? My DS gets changed in the car.

@katsue Walk I don't have a car even though I have a full license

OP posts:
Allmarbleslost · 21/03/2023 17:22

Yes the uniform is compulsory.

OwlOfBrown · 21/03/2023 17:22

I'm a Brown Owl. I would rather my Brownies came in full uniform but I don't enforce it. I do expect them to be wearing their hoodies though. I don't think there is anything inherently wrong in the way you are doing it.

Can you ask her Brown Owl if she can change at Brownies?

HibiscusBlues · 21/03/2023 17:23

Change in the toilets. If you are struggling financially tell them, ask if they have second hand uniform. My daughters uniform has been worn by a minimum of 4 older girls, likely more. It’s all worn until it falls apart

00100001 · 21/03/2023 17:23

Just have her change at school or brownies... Problem solved.

confusedlots · 21/03/2023 17:23

Unless she has additional needs, there is no reason an 8 year old couldn't get changed herself at afterschools club and put her school uniform in her school bag. My 6 year old would be able to do that.

FurryGiraffe · 21/03/2023 17:24

Can she not take her Brownie uniform to school with her and then change in the toilet at after school club?

BlueSeaWave · 21/03/2023 17:24

She can get changed when she gets there if you own the uniform anyway? Ask and they might let her use a room at her than a tight toilet cubical

titchy · 21/03/2023 17:25

00100001 · 21/03/2023 17:23

Just have her change at school or brownies... Problem solved.

This. Your alternative is to make her quit rather than change?

Original poster
GirlGuidesUniform · 21/03/2023 17:25

Thanks all there is SN but it doesn't prevent DD wearing the uniform, it's just a time issue.

There isn't toilets in the hut as such but there is a leisure centre next door with toilets so will try and time it to go there and change instead.

School won't do it, she has to be in uniform until the end of ASC due to them knowing whose who (they share the club with another school whose uniform is different - think like Infants and Juniors but wraparound is on one for both)

OP posts:
Comedycook · 21/03/2023 17:26

I'd just get her changed quickly in the loo at brownies once you get there

Onthenosecco · 21/03/2023 17:26

Brown owls / can you maybe give me some advice too? I’ve got a very small 7yo who is in brownies. I can’t get uniform small enough for her! We got her a t shirt which she can kind of pull off but the hoodies and trousers are about 3 sizes too big. She wears size 4-5 usually.

Op, she can surely change herself at after school, or once she gets to brownies?

Marmite27 · 21/03/2023 17:27

Uniform is compulsory. Supervise her getting changed when you get there.

OwlOfBrown · 21/03/2023 17:27

GirlGuidesUniform · 21/03/2023 17:25

Thanks all there is SN but it doesn't prevent DD wearing the uniform, it's just a time issue.

There isn't toilets in the hut as such but there is a leisure centre next door with toilets so will try and time it to go there and change instead.

School won't do it, she has to be in uniform until the end of ASC due to them knowing whose who (they share the club with another school whose uniform is different - think like Infants and Juniors but wraparound is on one for both)

Ask your DD's Brown Owl where she should get changed.

There must be toilets available for use during the meeting so ask where they are.

SummerHouse · 21/03/2023 17:27

I doubt it's compulsory but if Brown Owl is asking for her to be in uniform, I would have her change there.

ditalini · 21/03/2023 17:28

An 8 yr old doesn't need help from a TA to change do they? Surely it's the same as getting changed for PE. Can she not just get changed at ASC, or if that's out of the question, in the toilets at the Brownies.