“No onesies please as it makes the children in school jealous”

[Lemons1571]

A message from the head of our primary. Please could all parents at home please ensure their primary children are fully dressed in day clothes ready for their class 9am zoom. No onesies. Apparently the children actually allowed to go to school are annoyed seeing their classmates lounging at home in onesies / pj’s / loungewear.

Ummm, I’m sorry, I thought I heard you issuing instructions on what I must / must not do in my own house. What possible authority does a school have to do this? Kids forced out of face to face education. Being shown some lovely examples of the artwork done by the kids at school over zoom with the caveat “oh don’t worry I know you can’t do this at home”.

Read the room ffs. Just another request to put other people’s children before my own. As it happens my primary child gets dressed of his own accord, but if he wanted to wear a onesie then quite frankly anyone else’s opinion can fuck off.

Physically going to school = uniform worn as per school rules.
Physically barred from school = my house my rules.

No doubt I’m overreacting but it annoyed me!

No @LizFlowers, they are junior age. But maybe something about being at home, wearing a onesie and leaning against the side of a sofa with an iPad makes them forget themselves momentarily?

I wouldn’t insist on uniform, no. But as I said upthread, I do prefer them dressed and sitting at a table with a pencil case and no snacks, as they would be in class. I also appreciate that some families are struggling with exceptional circumstances and I absolutely take all the children as I find them and just crack on with the lesson - although I do tell them to sit up and finish quickly / put any food away. However, I find the ‘my house my rules’ belligerent attitude of some on this thread unhelpful - for their children as much as for the teachers.

Children should be properly dressed for school. Definitely. And onesies do not constitute being properly dressed. Sounds like a very reasonable request and I’m surprised some parents feel it’s ok for the children to be logging into virtual lessons in onesies or PJs. If I were a teacher I would look at those kids and wonder if they’ve had breakfast, brushed their teeth etc. As an adult you surely wouldn’t even consider logging into a work video conference in your PJs???

Onesies aren't PJs, more equivalent to joggers and hoodie for thickness, style and mode of use. You couldn't wear them in bed, you'd toast.

I have done lots of studying in my life - don't actually care to add it up in terms of years - but I do know I study better in my own home if I am comfortable - ie pj's, no make up, cup of tea at the ready. It may be the case that some children learn better if they are in their school uniforms but it is by no means a given.

As if parents didn't have enough to worry about at this difficult time when children can't go to school. It is outrageous to issue such directives - friendly advice might have been a better option.

@cardibach

Oh, and if I needed a zoom with my doctor, or accountant, or other professional in their own home, I wouldn’t expect them to wear business war either.

No, but they are the professionals. I wouldn't expect the teachers to be in pjs either, but it's the kids we are talking about.

I'm sorry but how is a onesie any different to those god awful pyjama days/world book day/children in need dress up days? At least kids are comfy and willing to learn. Honestly, people need to get off their high horse with this, every family is in a shitty situation thanks to Covid, why not just take little wins where we can.

Tabby. If they are not having kids in schools , they should not dictate what they wear in their own home. They are at least tuning in!! They could quite easily not bother and just mooch about all day. This is getting ridiculous, telling us what to do. You keep wearing those onesies.

My take is it's a badly worded message. I am surprised that anyone would be happy to have kids online in pjs or onesies. Where would you draw the line?

I don't know if it was the LA or school that set our rules for online learning but its dressed in day wear and preferably in a public room in the house ie not the bedroom.

Yes, safeguarding would be a better explanation for being dressed but in their own home they should wear what they feel comfortable and confident in. The Children aren't in school because of the Pandemic, not because they want to be or are truanting. Maybe the headteacher should have only Audio if the precious pupils are getting jealous then no-one would have to see anything.

Safeguarding - that's the word - thanks I knew what I was thinking but couldn't think how to word it.

Maybe the HT didn't want to put it that way incase parents got uppity that the meeting wasn't on a secure platform. But you don't know who else is peeping at the screen out of sight.

Another consideration is if you teach kids its perfectly acceptable to go online in your pjs to school, how do you then tell them it's not acceptable when they are a little older and potentially being groomed?

I really don't think that clothes is an unreasonable request. I wouldn't be happy at request for uniform but day clothes should be standard.

Carysmatthews. It's not going to be normal for a while for anyone.

Oh jeez my daughter is always on zoom with lounge wear / pyjamas etc this morning I hadn’t even got around to brushing her hair before morning zoom 🙈

I'm not surprised, Whatheadactual. Your post says 04.41.53! Most people wouldn't be awake at that time.

@LizFlowers

I'm not surprised, Whatheadactual. Your post says 04.41.53! Most people wouldn't be awake at that time.

People post from everywhere?

@Whattheactual20201 buy why not? Surely she always goes to school with brushed hair?

OhCaptain, I hadn't thought of possible time difference.

Ouch! Harsh....

I can see both sides but I think it's important to think of everyone. It may seem like the school are favouring those who are there but they could just as easily be telling others to not do X or Y to be considerate to those at home.

I'm not sure I agree you shouldn't try to not to make life easier for others just because you're focussing on your own situation and also I do think it's appropriate to dress your children before the school zoom as it probably does look like they're relaxing.

Our school is doing a Teams session later this week (the first live lesson - or more of a catch-up) - otherwise it's just recorded videos. They just said that children should be appropriately dressed, as should any adults who may appear in the background, and not in a bedroom (even though some children might work in their bedrooms if that is where their desk is).

So long as children are dressed appropriately (i.e. they aren't naked) I think they should be able to wear what they want at home. I think it's better to get dressed before starting schoolwork but ultimately it's down to personal preference.

I guess one think to consider being live online is the similar to being out in public.

Would your child be happy for friends to see them in their pjs? If someone was to screen shot how would kids feel about photos turning up in 10 years time?

I think everyone is really struggling at the moment. Adults and children too.
We are all frustrated and fed up.. and in that the grass always seems greener!
Those at school want to be at home and vice versa!
Impossible situation.
I hope anyone who is struggling has someone to reach out to ❤️

We don't get zoom calls, but I try to make sure the kids have clothes on during the day as opposed to wearing a onsie or PJ's. More in the hope that it might help them create some sort of barrier between school and play, if anything. I wouldn't do this for the sake of the kids in school, though (they get to do plenty that kids at home don't). My kids are indoors all day while we work so the temptation is for them not to get out of PJ's. It's hard to persuade them most mornings.

I also like the idea of them sitting at a desk ready to work, but I don't think most people have that luxury.

@mumwalk the luxury of what? A chair and a table?