To let 5yo wear whatever socks he wants?

[Umph]

DS (5, in reception) told me this morning that he’s ’not allowed to wear colourful socks’ after I’d laid out some green and white striped socks for him. I’m aware that the school (normal village primary) uniform states black or white socks but tbh I didn’t think it was anything they would bother enforcing or commenting on! He’s wearing trousers so it’s not particularly obvious.

AIBU for thinking that enforcing plain socks for small children sucks the joy out of the littlest thing? The idea of making them all dress exactly the same down to their socks is just so depressing to me.

So sorry but plain socks have always been part of a uniform. Grey, white or black usually. Dull but part of the uniform.

Those were not the socks he wanted though, they were ones you picked out for him. Doesn't sound like he cares either way so I wouldn't get too excited about it. Maybe get him some crazy undies if it matters that much?

It's part of the rules and you are setting up for a telling off.

If he was really bothered then it might bother me but not if he doesn't care. I wouldn't think of sending dd in colourful knee socks they're always white or grey so I guess it shouldn't be unreasonable for boys. Our school definitely don't care though ds goes in whatever comes out of the drawer first!

Plain standard colour socks (black, white, grey, navy) is common in a lot of schools.

The question is why would a parent, knowing what the uniform is, go out of their way to dress their child in non uniform?

Did you not have uniform socks when you were at school?

I would just buy a load of plain school socks and explain the colourful socks are for the weekend. He will survive such a dismal fate.

he didn’t want them though. You wanted him in them!

just get plain socks for school - the uniform you agreed too - and whatever you want for home.

to be honest when ds started school I soon realised having all of his socks the same grey ones makes pairing them up so much easier!

YABU. The school has a dress code, and yes it matters even if they’re “only socks”.

He also didn’t pick those socks, you did. And you shouldn’t have.

You want these socks (and as suggested by a pp we also go for matching crazy undies)

https://direct.asda.com/george/kids/underwear-socks/black-day-of-the-week-cotton-rich-ankle-socks-7-pack/G007282467,default,pd.html?redirectFromInt=1&cmpid=ppc--geor-------_-dskwid-_dm&utm_campaign=pla:Fashion-Kids_BAU-_Performance_Max&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAvJarBhA1EiwAGgZl0FSn9q1bqPgJTGsV8HKkq6pW5En2ySONdse1_czT1PUre-1jA1ljnBoCJIYQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Plain socks are part of the uniform policy, he's probably noticed everyone else wears plain socks and wants to be the same as everyone else.

Given you're choosing his socks for him and he's not bothered about wearing green socks then if sort of feels like you're making a pointless stand just so you can be seen to be different.

Buy him plain socks and adhere to the uniform policy you agreed to when you selected the school.

During the week my child wears school uniform then at home or out socially, whatever they fancy 🤷🏼‍♀️

He can wear the socks he wants. And he's 5 so he wants the socks he's been told by the school to wear.

Don't force him to be a little rebel because it's cute.

It depressing really. I hate school uniform. But this is one of those "choose your battles" moment.
It will be much nicer for your son to have his teacher say "Good Morning Joe" as soon as he goes into school rather than "Joe you are wearing the wrong socks again".
Believe me - it will happen.
A poor lad in my daughter's class at primary who was having a difficult time at home and was struggling with school - I'm sure the "where is your tie" the second he walked through the gate every time really made him feel positive about school - not 🙁

Get some really fun vests and pants. I agree with you it's so tedious for the little ones.

* AIBU for thinking that enforcing plain socks for small children sucks the joy out of the littlest thing? The idea of making them all dress exactly the same down to their socks is just so depressing to me.*

I'd say YABU and I feel sorry for your son if the joy in his life comes from wearing jolly socks.
Maybe investigate other schools that don't have a uniform policy?

Going against the majority and saying yanbu for feeling this way, I'm all for rules that I can see the point of, plain black/grey/white socks is not one I understand for children in trousers (fair enough for when wearing skirts/shorts/dresses)

But if school are strict about it (ours aren't) then unfortunately it's in your kiddos best interest to just do plain socks, one less thing for the teachers to pull him up for.

Personally I think the teachers should be made to wear a teacher version of whatever uniform the kids have to wear, kids should be able to dress in whatever they are most comfortable in (I say this as a mum of ND kids who find elements of the uniform uncomfortable therefore distracting, or difficult to deal with (buttons, flies etc). If teachers were subject to the same rules I reckon the school would relax the 'must keep your blazer on' rule pretty quick come summer!

The worst uniform rule imo is specific (always dark!) Colour coats. One of the local high schools will only allow plain black, grey or navy blue coats, hardly a good idea for winter walking home crossing roads in the dark!

It's sad that a five year old has to tell you as a parent what socks he should be wearing. If he does actually make a fuss about school coloured socks then buy some colourful toe/heel socks as linked upthread.

How did you not know what he was supposed to be wearing for school?

The op admits she knew but presumably thought for some reason the rules didn't apply to her or her child despite the fact at 5 most children just want nothing more than to fit in.

Socks have always been part of school uniform. Trying to push your idea of coloured socks being fun and grey socks sucking the joy out of his life onto him is really weird.

When my son was at primary he wore the regulation plain socks. At secondary there was no uniform policy on socks, so he'd wear colourful socks of his choosing. When he was about 13 a teacher told him he should be wearing plain socks. He said "ok miss" then carried on with the loud socks. Never mentioned again.

I find it utterly depressing. I do get the uniform idea - no-one singled out, pride in school, all the other blah de blah about it, but god, they are awful! My daughter railed against the conformity from age four, and still chances her arm at sixteen. The morning riots I’ve had over socks, ties, tights and button up shirts it’s a miracle I’ve not expired with a stroke or killed her with a black plimsoll. Some of the uniform decrees are really petty - like sad grey socks for a six year old….

Blazers - lovely and smart for school photo. Totally impractical for everyday kid life. Too hot for summer, not warm enough for winter. Fantastic water absorption!🤣 Quick drying (not)! Smell great! 🫢Lets not forget how fabulous they look topped off with a waterproof cagoule!

I hate everything about school uniform but its mandatory and so you comply with all of it for simplicity otherwise what are you teaching him? Some rules are made for breaking if you say so?

Don’t be ridiculous he is learning to follow rules

Some of the uniform decrees are really petty - like sad grey socks for a six year old….
I've never had a second's angst over school uniform. I find it simple and helpful. Grey socks are only sad if you decide they are.

I do find it really odd being emotionally involved in a child wearing a totally standard item of clothing.