At what point do I stop fighting the coat battle?

[Anonymous]

My HS DS only wears a hoodie. Never a coat even in the cold of January. Still a shorts kid but I did get him to put sweatpants on over his shorts for the wait at the bus stop. I’m sure they came off as soon as he got to school even though 2 of his classes are in trailers. Totally not worth the fight.

[Anonymous]

I have learned that the issue is often that they don't have time to get to their lockers (or don't have a locker), and they can't fit the coat in a backpack that is already full. They don't want to wear the coat because of the logistics...they still feel the cold.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've always insisted she CARRY weather appropriate clothing. If she doesn't want to wear it, fine by me. But I refuse to hear her complain.

Same

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Your kid is 13 and therefore in MS, right?
They rarely are outside during the school day minus the bus stop. There's no recess. PE transitioned to Health class now that it's 2nd quarter.
So, they're inside in an overly heated school all day. And if you time the bus arrival just right, you can easily ge away with no jacket for the entire day.

My middle schooler has recess every day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I stopped at 8. Natural consequences.

No one has lost a finger to frostbite yet.

Teachers in grade school ask you to send a coat, or at very least keep one at the school.

Yes, teachers get upset if the kid is not properly dressed for the weather. I've even had other parents on the playground ask about my kid who won't wear a coat She's 12 now.

What I’m reading here is that you’re upset that your DD’s clothing choices embarrass you in front of teachers and other parents, not that you’re concerned about her comfort.

If they’re cold enough, they’ll wear a coat. It’s as simple as that. Kids feel cold differently than 40something women. It’s really not a big deal, and no one is going to die from exposure. If it gets so cold it becomes dangerous to be outside, school will be canceled. DC doesn’t usually get that cold. When there are frostbite advisories from the National weather service, that’s when you insist on a coat, gloves, and a hat. When it’s slightly subfreezing, it’s generally not dangerous, just potentially uncomfortable. Especially if they’re active, like going to sports practice or walking/biking home from school, or only outside briefly because you’re dropping them off at school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Jackets are unnecessary, get him a comfy hoodie.

A comfy hoodie isn't not going to do anything in 15-degree weather!
You people are insane. Of course, your children are cold as hell, they are not wearing their coats because it is not kuul, not because they are hot, or even comfortable.
Reminds me of the thread a couple of weeks back when another 13-year-old Einstein insisted on wearing shorts to a ski slope. Ugh.
OP, I am with you. Insist that your child wear a coat, even if it is not buttoned, and even if he takes it off when you're out of sight. Basic common sense.

[Anonymous]

Stop fighting. I remember walking to school in the snow but wearing a skirt without tights. I remember feeling like I liked my outfit but sure don’t remember freezing. Kids are different than us. Now I’m cold all of the time and have been wearing my winter coat for a while. I tell mine they shouldn’t wear only shorts and a hoodie but I’m not going to have a battle over it.

[Anonymous]

My 13 year old DD wore shorts today. She asked me to pick her up and then snuggled with me for two hours until she warmed up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Your kid is 13 and therefore in MS, right?
They rarely are outside during the school day minus the bus stop. There's no recess. PE transitioned to Health class now that it's 2nd quarter.
So, they're inside in an overly heated school all day. And if you time the bus arrival just right, you can easily ge away with no jacket for the entire day.

My middle schooler has recess every day.

So does mine. It’s the second half of the lunch block.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My 13 year old DD wore shorts today. She asked me to pick her up and then snuggled with me for two hours until she warmed up.

You should have told her no, natural consequences.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My 13 year old DD wore shorts today. She asked me to pick her up and then snuggled with me for two hours until she warmed up.

Are you for real?

[Anonymous]

This has always been a thing, even when I was in high school--some kids would wear shorts or even flip flops in the cold. Never a black kid though--our parents made us bundle up!

[Anonymous]

I stopped years ago. I make it a point to tell her when the temp is going to drop midday, but it’s otherwise up to her to figure it out.

[Anonymous]

Natural consequences does the trick.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Now. Stop fighting about it. If he's cold enough, he'll wear a coat. If he's not, he won't. He will not die of exposure.

This. By harping on it, you're just encouraging him to dig in his heels. Just make sure he has a coat that fits and he can choose to wear it when he feels cold. It's not like Little House on the Prairie when Laura and Mary had to schlep long distances to school on their own.