Wearing gym gear on the school run?! I think DD just skinny-shamed me

[Madonnasbiggestfan]

I do go to the gym. most days. That or I go for a run. I also work full time mainly from home, so while I have some lovely clothes I do wear my gym gear on the school run. This morning my 9YO DD looked at me as we went to get out the car into the school playground and demanded I put a jacket on. I looked too skinny she said. She then realised she'd said something potentially upsetting and then added 'it's just you are showing your arms and shoulders'. She then insisted on going into the classroom without me. Should I cover up in future?

I think you should worry less about what you wear and more about teaching her some manners! Absolutely nothing wrong with gym gear on the school run. Something very wrong with a 9 year old demanding you wear something and insulting your body shape - whatever it's size. I'd be having a serious chat with her tonight!

Maybe she's having some body image issues

Most likely, your DD just wants you to conform and dress like every other person dropping off ? Are you the only person dropping off in a sleeveless gym top and gym leggings?

Oblomov18 love it! To be honest I only do the school run in my 'active wear' I am out of it as soon as I'm done exercising!
Hmmm she's never done this before...

There’s no problem wearing gym gear on the school run. Too skinny? Hmmmm, that does sound like a strange thing for her to say. I’d probably want to find out where that came from.

Doesn’t sound like “skinny shaming” to me. Sounds like she was trying to find a nice way to ask you to cover up a bit. If you’re wearing skin tight and revealing clothing perhaps she’s overheard someone talking about you and now she’s embarrassed.

Girls of this age are become self-conscious and she maybe be reflecting her own growing issues. I would talk to her about different body shapes. My dd is 8 and picks up a lot of stuff from the girls in her school, especially about what is boys' stuff and what is girls' stuff. But talking to her about all the choices open to here, the limitless possibilities and showing her examples of female scientists, acedemics, muscular sports women etc., does get through. It's a difficult age. I'm sure you look fine, carry on with your gym gear and show your daughter that strong fit and healthy women come in all shapes and sizes.

Ask her gently about it tonight. Perhaps she overheard someone being rude about you and is trying to protect you.

Our school gates are split between those in Lycra off to do their Marathon training or people in incredibly smart suits off to run their corner of the world.

It wouldn’t be that difficult to throw on a sweatshirt presumably.

I would just talk when she comes home. Sounds a bit of a weird thing to say.

Forgot how brilliant that active wear video is

Yes I think have a conversation and find out what the problem is.

There is active wear and active wear though. Black leggings and a tshirt is very different from short shorts and a cropped bra top. What exactly are you wearing?

If you’re in the U.K. weren’t you cold in bare arms this morning?
I wonder if she just meant you looked a bit undressed.

I wonder if she has body image issues of her own. Have a chat with her. Try to find out where it comes from and remind her that commenting on other people's clothing and bodies isn't very polite or kind.
Even if she has heard other people being rude (seems unlikely) I don't think the solution is for op to cover up just because others might not like her clothing choices.

It was boiling this morning in the SE. Most people were in sleeveless tops. And on an average day a good third of the parents are in gym gear at drop off. I feel left out because I’m not!

Not cold at all - and I'm someone who covers up most of the time.I do feel the cold. I was wearing a vest top and cropped leggings (half way down my calves) the vest is not tight fitting - it's one with a baggy waist.

My dd started worrying about what other people think at about that age.

It's a phase. (Lasts till they leave home ) but that's not to say she shouldn't be pulled up in it.

Ha! My eight year old just laughed at me yesterday wearing active wear on the school run as I blatantly wasn’t going to exercise but needed to be comfy for lots of running about! I think she was jealous of my fab new leggings.

Sounds totally fine to me OP and exactly what I wear on the school run at least 3 days out of 5.

Now cropped bra sports tops I have more of an issue with - just don’t see these as appropriate.

Are you actually skinny though?

Maybe she meant skinny as in showing lots of skin. But yes, she wants you to fit in.

I wear my active wear on the school run 2/3 times a week! I'm a size 16 and I really don't care cause I'm normally straight off to the gym after it. I am one of the inl ones tho which does leave me feeling s bit self conscious...

Skinny as in lots of skin. I'm normal weight (5ft 8 and 9 and a half stone)!