Ds7 - argument over shorts to school

[Musicalstatues]

We’ve just been away somewhere hot and before we went we told ds that he would have to start wearing trousers to school when we came back as it was getting very cold now. Ds would live in shorts if he could and swears he doesn’t feel the cold —but is then covered in goosebumps—
So we pre warned him about changing to trousers several times which he seemed to accept but oh my goodness he lost the plot this morning. Crying and wailing about how much he hated his school trousers, they hurt his legs etc etc It all got a bit shouty and he was in tears going in to school. Now I feel rubbish and like I should have just let him wear shorts. My husband feels we shouldn’t back down when we’ve already told him he has to wear trousers. In addition he won’t wear his school jumper and doesn’t like wearing his coat so if we let him have his own way he would literally go through winter in shorts and T-shirt! I’m Not normally one to battle him over wearing clothes as at 7 he’s capable of being cold and telling us he’s too cold and he should have some choice in what he’s wearing, but it all seems to be getting a bit extreme.
I told him that tomorrow if he preferred he could wear shorts but would have to wear his jumper as well. There were plenty of other boys still in shorts but they all had jumpers and coats on too!! I am feeling really bad that he’s gone to school upset on his first day back but he’s driving me (and especially dh) bonkers over this! Should we just let him be cold and wear shorts?

Some private schools don't allow long trousers at all. If he'll agree to shirts and jumper then I think that's a fair comoromuse

Let him wear the shorts!

Shorts!

DS wore shorts all the time through primary school. He was fine

For a 7yo, if they're happy and don't have frostbite I'd let them wear the bloody shorts. Life's too short for some battles.

If he says he isn't cold, he probably isn't.
Goosebumps are the body's reaction to the cold, intended to keep you warm. So if he has goosebumps, it doesn't mean he is cold.
Most schools I have been in are kept ridiculously hot during the winter so he may be more comfortable in shorts.
Make sure he has a coat to wear if it is wet, as he will get cold without a coat and he is soaked.
Not so long ago it was normal for little boys to wear shorts all year round until they reached their teens (and indoor heating wasn't really a thing either!).

My DS is Year 6. Wears shorts to school all year round. He knows if he gets cold that it's tough! He is always wrapped up in a coat though. Unlikely to get ill from wearing shorts so his choice, and one less battle for me.

Oh dear, I feel really bad now

Ds school is private and he wears shorts and long grey socks - there’s about an inch of skin poking out! Could you do something like that? Agree life’s too short, but you want them to be warm too so I feel your pain.

Half ds1s class is in shorts still even though there's a bit of sleet in the air. One of ds2's classmates had shorts, t-shirt and body warmer and his dad had the obligatory jumper in his hand in the playground. Classrooms are usually boiling by lunchtime and they spend everyinute outside running about. He'll be fine in shorts and t-shirt.

Don’t feel bad! You didn’t do it on purpose - you can say you have thought about it today and you have decided he is old enough to choose himself (or something?!)

DS is at an independent school and his uniform is navy cord shorts and knee socks in winter . He’ll be ok!

There were boys at dds primary who wore shorts year round. They just preferred it and their parents just gave up attempting to change them to trousers. They’ll most likely have no choice in secondary so may as well let them have their way on it now.

I feel extra bad because we’ve just been away for 2 weeks (authorised by the school before anyone gets upset over that!) and I’m just so gutted we argued and he’s upset going back 😫 I knew I should have just let him get on with it.

DS lived in shorts and short-lived shirt without a thin coat all through primary school. He doesn't tell me when I'm cold and I don't tell him when he is.

I think it feels extra cold to me because we’ve just come back from somewhere that was 30+ most days

Pick your battles. Shorts/trousers isn’t worth the upset.
In this house if they are old enough to understand consequences they choose themselves. The deal is no complaining allowed.

I am always cold and would be really upset if people tell me it's not cold! I assume that most kids will be able to tell if they are hot or cold... But I don't think you've ruined his life forever! I'd say sorry and get on with it.

Often the school is stuffy and classeooms hot ... if he wants to wear shorts let him.

When he gets to high school he doesn’t have a choice ....

You are a parent and want the best .... don’t sweat the small stuff

Also Ds1 loathes the school jumpers and doesn't own one now but he's quite happy in the zip up fleece. Is that an alternative your son would consider?

No, they only have jumpers, no fleeces or anything. Can’t get him to wear a vest either I will just let him get on with it. I just hate the thought of him being cold!

Honestly, I know they're stubborn but if he were miserable from cold you would notice/he would stop. I understand the impulse, we often have coat battles with my 3yo but if you don't see him shivering, hugging himself and looking miserable... He is fine. Lots of boys at my DS's primary school are still coming in in shorts and it's freezing here. None of them are obviously cold.

Ds7 wears shorts and I’ve given up trying to persuade him otherwise 🤷‍♀️

My children's state primary does not allow long trousers until year 6 so all boys in shorts until then. My ds 5 is also a coat refuser but will strangely wear a hat and gloves. As long as they're comfortable I just trail behind holding the coat to stop the judgey brigade thinking the poor kid doesn't have one!