Did anyone listen to or look out their window today? Why is your son in shorts and a sweatshirt?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, you clearly don't have teen boys. It has nothing to do with looking cool, and everything to do with their own body temperature/metabolism. My sixteen-year-old boy radiates heat 24/7 and has for years (actually, my 50-something husband is the same way). If it's cold, and both watching football on the same couch, I can put my cold feet inches from my son's body (if he doesn't shoo me away), and still feel the heat radiating.

My husband will be in shorts and a T, complaining about the house being too hot and changing the thermometer to something in the 60s.

I will be in sweats, a sweatshirt, socks and a blanket, and turning the temp to 72 or 73.

My boys are in shorts.

[Anonymous]

OMG it has nothing to do with temp or body heat, just teen boys being sheep. It’s “different” ... shorts are more comfortable ... it looks “tough”.

This is not done at every school. It’s largely an UMC school boy thing. Kids are sheep.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If I see my toddler shivering, doctor, should I ignore it if he doesn't want his coat on?

Nanny here. My charges frequently refuse to put on appropriate clothing when I’m just starting with them. They have two choices as toddlers wear it or carry it. Preschoolers get wear it or we come home early when you get too cold (and don’t return). Elementary and up get wear it or do without (no early return, and I don’t want to hear about being too cold).

They have to learn for themselves, and they will, if given the opportunity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If I see my toddler shivering, doctor, should I ignore it if he doesn't want his coat on?

Nanny here. My charges frequently refuse to put on appropriate clothing when I’m just starting with them. They have two choices as toddlers wear it or carry it. Preschoolers get wear it or we come home early when you get too cold (and don’t return). Elementary and up get wear it or do without (no early return, and I don’t want to hear about being too cold).

They have to learn for themselves, and they will, if given the opportunity.

Psst

This is a thread about teen boys in the tween/teen forum.

[Anonymous]

It would be nice if some men would chime in, instead of just middle aged moms of toddlers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It would be nice if some men would chime in, instead of just middle aged moms of toddlers.

They don’t care

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It would be nice if some men would chime in, instead of just middle aged moms of toddlers.

They don’t care

I’m a middle age mom with a teen son who runs hot and wears what’s comfortable, so I can’t grant your wish.

However, my dad always wore short sleeves and shorts. When he would go somewhere, like to the store or for dinner, he’d switch to jeans or pants. But he’d wear shorts out and about far past the time of year some of the moms on this thread would be comfortable with. It wasn’t about following the crowd, it was about comfort. He only wore long sleeves to weddings and funerals. Even in the middle of winter, during a blizzard, he was in short sleeves. He’d wear a jacket over his short sleeve polo if he got cold. I can remember him stepping out onto the patio, while it was snowing, in shorts and a t shirt to grill some steaks or chicken for dinner. Hed come back inside, shake the snow off his shoes, and say “it’s getting a little chilly out,” and go back to what he was doing without missing a beat.

I know for a fact that he doesn’t give a crap about whether teen boys are wearing shorts or jeans in the winter. In fact, he’d probably ask them if they’re too warm in their hoodies. It’s only cold natured moms on here complaining about people not being comfortable doing the same things they’re doing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A message of home for all you moms who are letting your kids wear shorts in the winter because (A) if they're cold, that's on them and (B) you realize, intellectually, that they respond to temperatures differently than you do:

At the end of the day yesterday, my kid asked for waterproof footwear.

Sounds good to me. But that doesn’t mean it’ll be worn often!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Oh, you saw my son! He has a coat, gloves, snow pants, and boots in his closet. My job is to provide - his is to dress his own darn self. He’s 12. If he wants to be cold, have at it. Not my body. Life has been much more pleasant at our place when we stopped commenting on clothes.

Can we be friends?

This is me as well. And it goes for my elementary-age kids as well. They all have very nice, warm clothing and if they choose to dress like orphans, I have bigger fish to fry. Their teeth are brushed, their homework done, they've been served a breakfast (even if they choose not to eat it.) I am well aware of the judgmental looks they are getting - fortunately they are oblivious.

It doesn't help that their father doesn't feel cold and will happily shovel snow in his shorts and Tevas.

Private school, no uniform. We set basic rules so that they won’t have to call me from school to bring appropriate clothing (if you think it’s warm enough for shorts and I disagree, put the pants in your backpack). So far, they’ve each been required to change once, then decided that the teachers and I have a conspiracy, so just skip the shorts if they think I will say too cold if they asked (note: they aren’t asking). Preschool to mid-elementary. I wouldn’t even open my mouth for middle school kids, because they’re old enough to know to put appropriate clothing in the backpack if they know school might have them change...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've seen elementary kids (boys and girls) wearing shorts and no coat in snowy weather being dropped off by a parent for school. If they are so capable of making their own decisions about their bodies then why not let them stand out in the snow in the apparel of their choice and wait for the bus or walk to school?

Because some schools won’t let kids walk to school by themselves until an arbitrary age? I know of three schools with second grade, third grade and fifth grade as their cut offs. Ridiculous. And if the kid doesn’t live far enough for the bus, then it’s faster/easier for a parent or nanny to do drop off/pick up in the car.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m a 50 year old female and never wear a coat and run HOT. All winter long. My body and I get tondecide. Same for my kids.

Me too. I didn’t switch to long sleeves until last week, and I’m only wearing my fleece on the walk home after working out (when sweat is drying and I’m not exerting myself is the only time I get cold). I’ve lived in areas with mud-day temps below zero for months, and a long-sleeve shirt and fleece were sufficient for me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OMG it has nothing to do with temp or body heat, just teen boys being sheep. It’s “different” ... shorts are more comfortable ... it looks “tough”.

This is not done at every school. It’s largely an UMC school boy thing. Kids are sheep.

My sister’s best friend wore shorts all year starting in preschool (in Michigan).

I’ve seen kids do this in 15 states. It has nothing to do with being UMC, it’s primarily preteen and teen boys, but also anyone else who runs warmer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If I see my toddler shivering, doctor, should I ignore it if he doesn't want his coat on?

Nanny here. My charges frequently refuse to put on appropriate clothing when I’m just starting with them. They have two choices as toddlers wear it or carry it. Preschoolers get wear it or we come home early when you get too cold (and don’t return). Elementary and up get wear it or do without (no early return, and I don’t want to hear about being too cold).

They have to learn for themselves, and they will, if given the opportunity.

Psst

This is a thread about teen boys in the tween/teen forum.

I understand that. I highlighted the bit you care about. The first bit was for PP who wanted an answer about her toddler.