to feel a little disheartened about this?

[crazylizzy]

ok, so nothing major, but I've recently noticed how sometimes little effort parents put into dressing their kids for other kids parties?

Back in the day, our mums would dress us in our best dresses, matching ribbons, tights, newly polished shoes, do something pre-planned with our hair (tiny plats all night, leaving a crimped look, oh man - retro), but now all I seem to see are trainers, jeans and a top, and that's just the girls

Last week my kids were invited to a 5th birthday party, as were my friends kids, she offered a lift, and at picking us up, I noticed her kids still in their gym kit (tracksuits and trainers), I commented if they'd just come straight from the lesson and my friend answered no, the class was earlier that afternoon, and they'd come from home.

AIBU to feel disheartened about how times change and still send my kids to birthday parties in their Sunday bests?

Yawn. The next thread will be about competitive parenting and whether we are all too competitive in all that we do with children these days.

I suspect Daily Mail thread too.

How can anyone describe a designer tracksuit as being 'best clothes'? msLucy?

I'm sure your long haired scruff description is a veiled Boden-type reference i.e being far too posh to dress well (but still dressing expensively).

Heaven forbid those chavs with their sparkly head bands - best to be a scruffily understated instead - all a bit oh so dull though isn't it?

I think it depends on whether the party is a children's party (in which case go for comfort) or an adults' party or family occasion like a wedding. I did put DS in a miniature suit jacket (which was part of a bundle bought off Ebay) for my mate's wedding, worn with his newly-purchased school trousers and a check shirt from the same Ebay bundle, but let him take the jacket off after the ceremony. Generally when I buy him new clothes I tend to pick one or two tops without slogans or IgglePiggle on and keep them back for the next party ie I think for a special occasion it's nice to wear something new/special but what you are wearing doesn't have to be uncomfortable or so precious that you're frightened to breathe. A couple of weeks ago DS' grandparents had their Golden Wedding party, and I dressed DS in blue not-quite-combat trousers and a lovely polo shirt with an octopus embroidered on it that my mum had bought him which we had been saving for the day. He looked nice and appropriate - and of course got his top covered in chocolate mousse. Thank fuck for Vanish.

God, if I told dd she was going to a party, she's have picked the frock and matching accessories at least a week in advance, and have her lip gloss ready. Then she'd be askig how many days away it was. If it's a soft play thing i would have to gently intervene to suggest shorts...it wouldn't go down well.

Times have changed.
I can remember my 3 party dresses so clearly. Each probably lasted 2 or 3 years then was replaced by the next one.
I need party invites now, just for an excuse for DD to wear one of her several pretty dresses that grandparents can't resist getting her.

I still have dd's party dresses from her 1st that she wore for christmas at 12 weeks old. None were expensive. She tended to get one a year mainly because she had outgrown them and it did for all birthday and christmas parties.
Her favourite at the moment is one I actually bought of a MN'er last year on ebay.
DD loves wearing dresses and skirts anyway in fact she will not entertain me buying trousers for school for her. I think it's nice she likes dressing up for parties right now because i'm bettin soon enough i'll never get her into a skirt.
Even ds likes dressing up he has his little waistcoat which he loves and now he loves hi little cravat and waistcoat set he wore for our wedding this year.

We were seated in the 'posh bit' of a county show yesterday which had a dress-code so yes, dcs made an effort with ds in a shirt/smart shorts and dd in a pretty flowy top over trousers.

Unless it is a farm park then dcs make a special effort for parties; it's all part of it being a special event. Ds1 in particular enjoys getting dressed up, he even gives thought to choosing the right pants He is only 5 - so plenty of time to grow out of it - although at present dd's big decision at 3 is 'one bunch or two'.

My DS's mainly go to soft play/pizza hut/bowling parties. They just wear their best jeans, and a casual shirt.

But when DD is old enough for parties, I feel sure I will dress her in pretty dresses. She is only a few months old and already has a wardrobe full in an array of sizes

My DDs 4 and 8 and both still love to dress very 'princessy' love party dresses and sparkly shoes and would wear them all day every day if they could.
My 2 boys would ever never wear a tracksuit or sportswear unless it was to do sport and then only unbranded stuff.Kids at their school get teased and called chavs for beie wearing sportswear especially if it has labels on.

Yanbu - I'm all in favour of looking nice for parties. Afterall it is only polite to make an effort as someones guest, to turn up all scruffy as if you couldn't care less would be disrespectful.

sorry maybe just feel a bit sensitive about the fact that money is tight and I can't afford really nice party wear for the dc, £4 pound jeans from asda and same amount for the top is about my limit.

Not easy when my clothing limit has been set at £10 per person each month by CAP.

I now feel awful that my kids aren't dressed properly in designer gear and what not for parties. I wouldn't send my children in tracksuits though and Weddings and christenings are different. I would borrow money to make them look nice.

Sorry if I offended anyone, just feel like a shit parent at the mo, can't do anything right at home.

wow kids get teased and called Chavs?..

My ds never wears a tracksuit either. He's 9. Long may it continue. He loves his jeans

since when does dressed up = designer gear?..and I buy all my party clothes in the frikin sale!..and a pretty frock or smart outfit does not mean it has to be designer..it's about shopping smart..not designer at all!

I know how to shop smart, but shopping smart to me is making a £10 budget for each child last a month. This months clothing allowance went on school uniform. I've got a family party to go to in 2 weeks time.. fuck knows what I'm going to do.

sheep M&S has a sale at the mo..some lovely dresses 10 quid..add a cardi some party shoes..also it doesn't have to be a dress..2 pieces is fine and can work as day wear and smart outfit..it's about accessories too..add a little pearl necklace and bracelet all dressed up..

I appreciate what your saying mumcentre plus but I can't justify spending 10 pounds plus JUST on a party dress for my dds. That 10 pounds budget has to buy everything they need even underwear, socks, uniform including shoes. And it would be something that they would never wear again cos they grow so fast.

I love marks stuff too. I hate being in debt and I hate being poor

I have a wedding next week and school uni

I've even asked for more hours in work but no go and dp is working his arse of trying to find a job too

when you think about it a tenner is spent so easily..but i understand totally..... 1 part of an outfit can work too..but you have to be willing to burrow around..it can be so hard..as I said accessories can make any outfit work..and children are so naturally beautiful they don't take much work..I totally understand sheep

thanks mumcentreplus.

Luckily dd1 had lots of clothes donated to her last week by a very kind mum at the school and some of it is GAP and next which will help.

Something will turn up,