School non uniform days

[carterjensy]

UK mum of two here. My daughter is currently being assessed for the SEN register (suspected ADHD), and I also have ADHD myself.

Is anyone else feeling overwhelmed by the sheer number of themed and non-uniform days now?

World Book Day, Rock Star Day, Pyjama Day, Egyptian Day, Colour Days, Children in Need, Red Nose Day, Christmas jumper days, discos, Halloween, Easter bonnet parade… it just feels constant.

Individually, they’re fine. But all together, on top of work, homework, clubs and normal life, it’s a lot. Remembering the dates, finding outfits (often last minute), sending money in — it’s a steady mental load.

For kids with ADHD or additional needs, routine really matters. Frequent changes can be stressful rather than fun. And as a parent with ADHD, keeping on top of it all can be exhausting.

This isn’t about banning fun or fundraising. It’s about balance.

If this resonates, I’ve started a petition asking for sensible limits on themed/non-uniform days so families aren’t under constant pressure

It’s finding a balance thats fair for everyone.

But surely the balance is the choice to do it or not. If uniform helps keep a child centered and in the right emotional /, mental place for school, there's never going to be a day when that uniform is unacceptable. If parents can't afford costumes or don't / can't make them, they can wear their own clothes. Quite a few days are just a colour so if you don't own anything red and can't afford to get soemthing cheap from the charity shop, no one is going to judge them if they go in green. For most families there's a work around. Unfortunately there will never be a perfect solution for everyone

Perhaps op you need support to find a system that works for you rather than expecting school to cut most of their days out for you.

We do a lot, altho not the colour days or pj day. We do do monthly out of uniform plus last day or every half term.

Mark them down in the calendar this year and then next year transfer the events to the start of each month. Bonnets are always Easter so go shopping around pancake day. Most of these dates don't move much so it really is primarily about being prepared.

I’m 43 and still remember this. It was twofold—own clothes day, which my mum thought she’d covered, and a WW2 outfit/play. Because I didn’t have the WW2 part, the teacher decided I should be paraded around in my own clothes still in the play to the point one mum whispered to me are you ok? I had undiagnosed ADHD, and that stuck with me. “Just opt out” isn’t neutral for a child.

The teacher thought i was deliberately being difficult because she couldn’t cope with my adhd. Thats were im coming from so im just trying to see if anyone else needs support