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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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:
Illbefinejustbloodyfine · 06/12/2023 09:58

@DragonMumE it's a thing. Seems that some primary boys - the older years, often go through this phase. My nephew did, and several yr 5 and 6 at my DC school are wearing shorts today.

Isitsixoclockalready · 06/12/2023 10:00

I think that some children don't like the feeling of long trousers - I used to be like that when I was young, barring tracksuit bottoms. Some schools insist on long trousers in the winter months though.

witchypaws · 06/12/2023 10:00

My friend called in this morning (NW area) and he's wearing flip flops and shorts
I don't think I've ever seen him in trousers and he's 48

Goldenbear · 06/12/2023 10:00

It probably isn't neglect if willing but I did used to feel that it was neglectful of me when I couldn't get DD, when she was little to wear tights to school, sometimes no school cardigan or coat. At 4 years old she was insistent on dressing as a fairy so had strong feelings about the school cardigan or even her coat so I offered her a long sleeve white, Peter Pan collared top to put under her school T-shirt and pinafore dress which she did agree looked more fairy like. She was allowed to wear leggings rather than tights but she would only wear ones her Grandma had bought for her, with the flower fairies all over them but I worried that they weren't as warm as tights. The leggings were supposed to be black, they did speak to me about that but luckily it was quite a liberal infant school so in the end they accepted it. They (school) tried to understand what her feelings were about this (which she didn't like as she could dress as a fairy at pre-school and not at school) by sitting with her everyday and encouraging her to draw a smiley or sad face against pictures, one being the uniform, every day was a sad face😮She is 12 now but still as fussy, she is susceptible to sore throats, asthma from the cold, is very thin and delicate so I do feel it is my parental duty to get a coat and trousers on her rather than the school skirt with 40 denier tights and an inadequate school jumper. She isn't the type to play football, basketball or any sports really so doesn't warm up at lunch time doing these things. I fear the hospitalised asthma stays so much that I do really get genuinely worried about it.

Iwannaliveinstarshollow · 06/12/2023 10:00

My DS 14 doesn't have a school uniform. He wears shorts all year round. He just doesn't feel the cold (hairy legs) and doesn't even own a pair of long trousers that fit. I used to buy them regardless and they would sit there, untouched, in his drawers until they were too small. I asked again last week, he said he doesn't want any, I'm listening to him and not buying them.

His sister has male friends who also live in shorts and crocs.

His dad doesn't feel the cold either. DD and I love being snuggled up under blankets. Conclusion - people are different 🤷‍♀️

IrnBruTortie · 06/12/2023 10:01

DragonMumE · 06/12/2023 09:20

I also went to school in 80s/90s. All the boys had long trousers unless it was very hot. It's def colder in North West!

We're a fair bit N of you, and in an area def not know for its clement weather. And shorts it was, all year. DS 1 used to feel sorry for all the kids in trousers as 'when its raining they have wet legs all day, my legs dry off quick'.

Moonshine5 · 06/12/2023 10:02

OP they might have more "ruddy" circulation. Idk your age but are you comparable to a young boy in health matters?

PGmicstand · 06/12/2023 10:03

SylvieLaufeydottir · 06/12/2023 09:18

Have you met young boys? The ones at my DC's school who wear them through the winter do so at their own insistence.

Ditto here.
Frost and ice on the ground, parents in long coats and gloves.
The child said they weren't cold at all and liked wearing shorts.

UnctuousUnicorns · 06/12/2023 10:05

CruCru · 06/12/2023 09:30

I agree. The UK is getting warmer. I remember summers that were sunny and warm but getting to 37/38/39/40 was unthinkable.

Show quote history

I too was shocked by the reports, poor kids. At secondary I went to a private girls' school in the 80s. Blazers were worn in summer and were strictly for outdoors only. Summer uniform was skirt, choice of ankle or knee socks, short sleeved blouse with open collar (tie in Autumn/winter only) and jumper, tank top or cardigan which we could take off if we were too warm. The notion of sweltering in a classroom in +++ temperatures, in a blimmin' blazer and tie would have been unthinkable! Utterly ridiculous and unfair.

MadeFrom100percentPears · 06/12/2023 10:06

My son has shorts and trousers but it's a battle to get him in trousers as he just likes the shorts. Even on the weekend he won't put joggers on and only wants shorts. Don't get me started on the endless squabble to try and get him to wear his coat and hat. In the end, I just think if he felt actually cold, he would wear them. The option is there.

ManateeFair · 06/12/2023 10:06

I wore skirts and short socks throughout my primary school years and no, I wasn't neglected. I just didn't like tights. Loads of my friends were the same.

Lots of little boys prefer shorts to long trousers, and until relatively recently boys wore shorts all year round until they were about 12 or 13, so I don't think it's a problem. I also have an adult neighbour who wears shorts every day, without fail, regardless of the weather.

TheAirbender · 06/12/2023 10:06

My 9 year old football mad DS will not wear trousers as they restrict him playing football. He is also autistic and I suspect sensory issues are at play.

With respect, my your own business.

millymog11 · 06/12/2023 10:06

Not read the whole thread but I think the focus should be far more on

(1) Are mothers/fathers/carers taking the idea of vests/some kind of undergarmet under the school shirt etc seriously?

If your "trunk" (neck to the top of your thighs) is warm, then even if your extremities are cold (including legs) you are probably going to be ok

(2) Are there family members forcing these boys into wearing shorts "because they did"when they were little and/or (more importantly) because they think it will make their son into"the man" (i.e unreasonable personal agenda forced onto a little child)? If yes, this is wrong. let them wear whatever is comfortable for learning.

On a separate point I listened to a BBC sounds podcast about cold (michael mosely) which pointed out that young children have far more brown fat than adults and that if you are routinely in a cold environment that encourages the body into having more brown fat which has multiple health benefits. I think there is some truth in this.

I also take the point that young girls have been known to be forced to wear skirts/dresses with ankle socks or thin tights which amount to more or less then same dress wise as boys in shorts all year round.

SJM1988 · 06/12/2023 10:07

My 6 year old would be in shorts all year around if I let him. I have to wrestle him into a coat for the walk home to and from school at the moment and it was -3 this morning. Its totally normal for kids to not wear weather approrpraite clothing and sometimes the argument isnt worth it. Let them find out the cold way not wearing trousers or tights with skirts if like.

Scaraben · 06/12/2023 10:07

I'm in Scotland. It's baltic at the moment but in the freezing fog at my kids bus stop this morning the wee boys were mainly running around in shorts. They were also wearing hats and gloves. Their parents appear to be caring non-neglectful people so presumably this is a choice of the kids!

My DD wears shorts by choice on her PE days no matter how cold it is. But she also has an ankle length parka that I think she'd sleep in if I let her 😆

Louandsi · 06/12/2023 10:08

My brother used to wear shorts for school. He said he hated it and was always cold. He is in his 40's and recently told my mum how upsetting it was!

Notgoodatchoosingnames · 06/12/2023 10:09

boys in my sons class refuse to wear them all year round! they have to wear them for the carol concert as it's in a cathedral and they all moan about it. I know they insisted they wore appropriate clothing when it snowed a few years ago and they all kicked off, and most just wore underlayers with shorts! It's just a thing. They grow out of it and not worth the arguments

gloriagloria · 06/12/2023 10:09

At primary my DD refused to wear tights or trousers, so wore a skirt and socks year round. I used to get pointed comments from teachers and other parents - most embarrassing - but entirely her choice and she never seemed cold or got chapped skin.

Nottodaty · 06/12/2023 10:10

My postie always in shorts :) I don’t think I’ve ever seen him in trousers!

A friend of mine is very rarely out of shorts!

And it could be due to the lad just preferring to be in shorts! I’m sure if the school had any concerns it will be dealt with by them.

ManateeFair · 06/12/2023 10:11

DragonMumE · 06/12/2023 09:19

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

What's that got to do with what other people's kids want to wear, though? You do understand that not everyone is the same, right?

platinumplus · 06/12/2023 10:11

My kids wear shorts in this weather through choice so YABU

AnonnyMouseDave · 06/12/2023 10:12

Personally I think that in the UK shorts are suitable for about 3 days per year, trousers for 90 days per year, and the remaining 272 days are trousers and long johns weather.

I think that anyone wearing shorts outside of the hottest week of the year should be sectioned.

Igglepiggleandhisboat · 06/12/2023 10:13

My son wears shorts all year round. I put trousers in his bag but he never wears them. For him it’s a sensory thing

Winniespooh · 06/12/2023 10:13

Half the girls in DDs class are in skirts and socks and there are always a couple of boys in shorts, regardless of the weather. She always comes out without her cardi on, the teachers are just in t-shirts or thin dresses.

I reckon they could save a bit on the school budget by turning the heating down.

Twentypastfour · 06/12/2023 10:13

We are the opposite and my DS wears thick jogging bottoms in 30oC and also very funny about clothes in particular. I’m sure people just think to look at us that we can’t afford clothes because he wears the same clothes almost every day..

My experience of young children has actually taught me not to judge what other children are wearing out (same favourite clothes every day, no coat in winter, winter clothes in summer etc) because I know how funny some children can be about clothes now.