Just had DD1 on the phone . Her little son aged 6 has come home from school and said one of the teachers asked him if Mummy MADE him wear shorts to school !
I should explain . He has a choice of trousers to wear to school but prefers his shorts - always has. He's a hardy little chap, wears his big coat, gloves and scarf and hat but prefers his shorts. He says he's just not cold. He has no walk to school, he goes by car so he's only outside at playtime where he is on the go permanently.
His mum was the same as a child and even now is never cold.
As this was not the first comment made my teachers my daughter phoned the school to arrange to come in and defend his choice of clothing only to be told by the receptionist that she was a bad mother not to force him to wear long trousers.
I'm stunned !!
He's a much loved little tearaway. I've seen him swimming in April in the sea before now. Given the choice he will be outside in all weathers rather than indoors. He's well fed, clean, cared for, indulged to within an inch of his life and yet of all the children in the school apparently my daughter is a bad mother. I don't think hes had a day off sick in his life so far .
What do you think? Force him to conform and wear long trousers or trust him to have some judgement in whether he is feeling cold or not. My daughter has encouraged both her children to take some responsibility for their choices etc since they were very small and feels this is one he is capable of making . If she felt he was in any danger she would obviously intervene.
Is this the Nanny state interfering or is he in imminent danger?
