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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think boys in school uniform shorts at -3c is neglect.

364 replies

DragonMumE · 06/12/2023 09:13

Just returned from rural primary school in Lakes. Young lads in school uniform shorts - it's minus 3 here. I class this as neglect. Discuss.

Are people struggling to afford winter school uniform? Aldi sells school trousers for less than a coffee (1.75 gbp?) Or worse are they indifferent?

OP posts:
MotherofWhippets81 · 06/12/2023 16:06

My ND DD9 is still in shorts. That's what he wants to wear. He's got a t-shirt, jumper and coat on.

Bit of a jump to it's neglect 🙄

UnctuousUnicorns · 06/12/2023 16:47

CatamaranViper · 06/12/2023 15:16

I'm very sorry but the 1960s were only 40 years ago and I won't hear otherwise.

I think you'll find they were actually twenty years ago.

Legendairy · 06/12/2023 16:49

DSs school uniform was shorts and long socks all year. They were always warm enough, its never -3 in the South though 😂

Longdarkcloud · 06/12/2023 16:53

The official line at DD’s school, where the boys wore shorts, was that it was better (and warmer) than sitting round all day in wet/damp long pants. No suggestion girls should wear long pants rather than skirts, either

paddlinglikecrazy · 07/12/2023 10:26

My two are the opposite and won’t wear school shorts even when it’s hot 🤷‍♀️
They wear shorts at home but prefer long trousers for school.
Constant ripped knees playing football too 🙄
They have mates that won’t entertain long trousers & only wear shorts whatever the weather, they’re all fine 😁

gretathebetter · 07/12/2023 10:32

DragonMumE · 06/12/2023 09:19

I own 2 lads. They and I like to be toasty warm

Good lord.

Own?

FWIW it's been -8 here this week (highlands) son (8) still in shorts. I offered trousers. "I'm not cold and I don't like trousers".

But then he is sentient. Soooo

Snickers23 · 07/12/2023 10:53

My son wears shorts all year round and we are also in the Lakes. He likes shorts, he is more comfortable in them and claims he does not feel the cold on his legs when I encourage him to wear trousers. He is well wrapped up otherwise, waterproof hooded coat, hat and gloves but insists on wearing shorts. Many of his friends wear them as well. So you think I’m neglecting my child? I think it would be a good idea for you to mind your own business and let people be! You and your children may like to be well wrapped up and toasty and that’s fine but that doesn’t not make other people bad parents or neglecting their children because their children like to dress differently.

gemma19846 · 07/12/2023 10:53

Girls used to have to wear skirts in the middle of winter until a few years ago. When i was at high school you would get a detention for wearing pants! (Girls) Id say you just look after your own children and dont worry about others in shorts. There could be many reasons! My teenager refuses to wear a coat to and from high school because he has to carry it around all day

Divaprincess · 07/12/2023 10:59

Don't judge as you don't know the reason why. My son has sensory issues with clothes as such he never zips his coat up. So annoying, but the way I think is he will if he gets cold.

Regr · 07/12/2023 11:03

I’m a shorts all year person and as a kid, although briefly went into skirt and shorts when I started to feel the peer pressure of being the only girl in shorts! Some people just run hot or hate the sensory of trousers i remember epic strops when I was forced to wear them!

thecatsthecats · 07/12/2023 11:05

I went to a rural Lake District school growing up, and am as much of a coat refuser as I was then. It's not that I don't feel the cold, I just don't feel it negatively if that makes sense?

Spareincoming · 07/12/2023 11:10

Mine were shorts all year round. We’re in the borders. They prefer them and I pick my battles, shorts vs trousers before school is not an argument I want.

That said, one of the DC would happily wear a skirt as he’s been taken with the idea since his first kilt wearing at a wedding this summer.

gretathebetter · 07/12/2023 11:16

Snickers23 · 07/12/2023 10:53

My son wears shorts all year round and we are also in the Lakes. He likes shorts, he is more comfortable in them and claims he does not feel the cold on his legs when I encourage him to wear trousers. He is well wrapped up otherwise, waterproof hooded coat, hat and gloves but insists on wearing shorts. Many of his friends wear them as well. So you think I’m neglecting my child? I think it would be a good idea for you to mind your own business and let people be! You and your children may like to be well wrapped up and toasty and that’s fine but that doesn’t not make other people bad parents or neglecting their children because their children like to dress differently.

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 this entirely.

RoxyRoo2011 · 07/12/2023 11:19

Wow! Judgemental much? My son is still wearing shorts to school. If it’s ok for the postie it’s fine for him. FYI I can afford trousers. He has 4 pairs in his wardrobe but HE chooses shorts and that’s fine with me. If he comes home and says he got cold today can he wear trousers tomorrow? Also ok with me.

BendingSpoons · 07/12/2023 11:23

My DD is going to school in a skirt and ankle socks. It was -1 last week and she still did this. She genuinely doesn't feel the cold. She has a rain jacket that I insist she puts on if it is wet. Otherwise she just wears a cardigan and takes that off when it goes above about 8°! She does wear gloves though! My son has trousers, jumper and thick coat on. I have the same plus a hat.

RudsyFarmer · 07/12/2023 11:25

Pmsl. It’s not neglect. My kids have only just got into trousers as they’ve only just started loaning about the cold. Some of their mates are very sporty. Always playing football or charging about and never feel the cold. They won’t wear trousers and the parents have just refused to battle about it.

moretractorsplease · 07/12/2023 11:59

DS won’t wear trousers despite being encouraged daily in this cold weather.
it’s hardly neglect!!
Otoh I recall having to wear a skirt and t shirt for PE in the 80s and that was non negotiable whatever the weather.

Xsxjxmx · 07/12/2023 12:26

My daughter hates tights, doesn't like school trousers. I'm not neglecting her I'm respectful of her wishes, she isn't going to freeze to death she spends most of the day inside the school.
She hates the feel of tights and has her own opinion on her style and she doesn't want to wear the trousers. Im not going to force her and create a drama when it isn't needed. She has tights available if she chooses to wear them, she has long socks and she can also wear leggings with her skirt but she also chooses not too.
Kids with sensory issues often have a big opinion on clothing.
Don't be so judgemental

FuckoffeeBeforeCoffee · 07/12/2023 12:28

My son would prefer to wear shorts but I don't let him because of judgy arseholes like you.

DMJEJ · 07/12/2023 12:34

Lol….For years my son had a wardrobe full of school trousers….he never wore them, he doesn’t care what the weather is he will always choose to wear shorts, he hates trousers 🤷🏻‍♀️….. This year I asked him if I should buy him trousers and he told me not to bother so I didn’t because let’s face it who needs to buy trousers that sit in the wardrobe never worn. He’s dreading going to secondary purely because he will have to wear trousers as they’re not allowed shorts! So no, not neglect….you will probably find that those boys do have trousers, it’s just their personal choice not to wear them so I don’t think a uniform bank will help 😂. My son wouldn’t wear a coat either if it was up to him but I do send him with one to school.

Refurbishmentino · 07/12/2023 12:35

DD wears skirts and socks. How is it any different?

StillWantingADog · 07/12/2023 12:37

loads of kids at my sons school wear shorts all year round. In most if not all cases the parents would prefer they wear trousers but the kids are insistent

my son will wear trousers but is point blank refusing jumper. So is in a short sleeved polo only. What do you expect me to do, force him? And even if I did he’d take off at school anyway

Longma · 07/12/2023 12:37

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines. at the request of it's author.

ConsuelaHammock · 07/12/2023 12:53

I have an acquaintance whose boys always wear shorts. She thinks she’s being like the royals. They just look cold and ridiculous.

stargirl1701 · 07/12/2023 12:59

I've been teaching 25 years. Some boys prefer shorts all year round. They are too hot in trousers.

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