I moved to New England for college and again to settle down and raise my kids. I remember being shocked at all the adult men wearing shorts, wool sweaters and flip flops in December Now my 11 year old son wears shorts all year long. The schools always send letters home talking abut the importance of being dressed "appropriately" for the weather, but my kid knows if he is cold or not and if he wants to wear shorts to school, that's fine. The classrooms are like 90 degrees anyway. I do draw the line at flip flops though. He wears socks and sneakers

My sons wear pants, shirt, tie, jacket to school.

They wear shorts when I pick them up and all weekend.

My oldest had his fan on in his room this week.

Why would I care, why do you care?

Anonymous wrote:There are exclusive schools in England wear the required uniform is shorts, a blazer, a tie, and knee socks all year long and it's been happening for years. Parents, children, and the general population were very proud (and sometimes jealous) of these teen aged boys!

It is the old British traditions that boys only start wearing long pants after a certain age, don't know what that age is. You might have noticed that Prince George is always in shorts.

Anonymous wrote:Last year my then-first grader hated being cold. He wore a huge heavy coat, ski gloves, balaclava, etc. every day- even when the temp was 55. This year he has become acutely aware that BOYS DON'T WEAR COATS and now dresses accordingly. In January, when the high didn't go above freezing for almost a week, he (and every other 7 + yo boy) stepped off the bus every day with all his cold weather gear stashed in his backpack. Wouldn't be caught dead in a jacket. I've seen older boys wearing shorts on cold days, and DS still thinks that is weird, but it's probably a matter of time before he wants to do the same.

And you let him do that?

My high school in WI required girls to wear skirts, even in snow, and we were outside frequently because of multiple buildings. My DS runs warm and wears as little as possible, including when sleeping alone. He wears shorts because it's more comfortable for him, not as a fashion statement.

There are exclusive schools in England wear the required uniform is shorts, a blazer, a tie, and knee socks all year long and it's been happening for years. Parents, children, and the general population were very proud (and sometimes jealous) of these teen aged boys!

Oh and her wearing these for Zach had nothing to do with Winter.Idkw

Well my mom did not want me to "freeze" so I was never allowed to. My 11 y/o girl asks me if she can do this.This is what I say:
Her:"Mom,can I wear these to school"?

Me:"Will you freeze"?

Her:"No".

Me:"Is it allowed in the dress code"?

Her:"No".

Me:"Absolutely not!

Her:"Please"?

Me:"Who is the guy"?

Her:" Zach"!

Me:"Oh my gosh, it is your first crush"!!!!!!!!!!!

Then we had a conversation about this guy she liked. The point was, she still cannot wear skin-tight tiny jean shorts to school for some guy.She says it is cool to impress guys but I am buying her shorts that can actually fit her.So I think your daughter could have a crush. I wore short shorts one day for a guy one day in 3rd grade LOL. My mom was not home that day because she had a long day at work.

This is not new, my children are adults and one always did this, never wanted to wear a coat & wanted to wear shorts even in the snow.

And I have a niece who is about 25 and wore flip flops even in the snow through high school..

The more I read of these forums the more I become convinced that America is a strange place with some peculiar preoccupations and some just plain strange people--- but at least the spelling and grammar on this site is of a good standard

My 6 yo DS hates coats also. Not really a big deal, in my book.

I'm 50/50 on the shorts. I feel like it's not appropriate to wear shorts in the winter, but in reality, not a huge deal. It's pretty warm in the classrooms anyway.

Who would care...really? People really do need to pick their battles and not care about what others think.

My dd wore flipflops to Holton all thru 7-12 grades (even in the snow). My mom always got on my case when I was little because I would never wear a coat or hat. I still don't. I feel strangled with too many clothes on. I'm sure little boys feel the same way.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If your son is going to school in shorts (especially those stupid lacrosse shorts) when it is below 40 degrees out, rest assured that they are being privately mocked by other adults (parents and teachers). Know, also, that by extension you too are being mocked.

But as no one has a sense of "This is something I shouldn't be doing..." these days, it won't matter to you.

I don't care if petty "adults" are privately mocking my child. Any parent worth her salt knows you pick your battles. Kid isn't going to freeze, and if he is uncomfortable then so be it. Boys aren't the only ones who suffer for fashion.

When it's below 32 degrees, for example? You may want to brush up on your science.
And yes, it looks ridiculous and people are judging you and your kid. Judgement is fine and needed to keep society civil.

32 degrees is the freezing point for water, not for humans. While hypothermia can occur in temperatures of 50 or less, those generally involve significant exposure to the environment and also usually involve water. (i.e. someone stranded in 50 degree water for an hour or longer). A kid waiting for 5-10min at the bus stop is not going to freeze in 32 degree weather. Most middle school/high school kids don't even go outside during the day unless they have PE. Not only that, but some kids are just naturally much warmer than others. I often don't wear a jacket (though I may have one in the car) - am I being judged, too?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I grew up in the 80s...and boys did this all the time...and even in college in the 90s there were quite a few that did it.

+1 - I'm 34 and that was a "trend" when I was in middle and high school too.

I grew up in Upstate NY and there were a few guys I don't ever remember wearing pants to school. Just four flannels, shorts, and combat boots.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why does it bother you? It's very warm in the school bldgs and warms up during the day outside. I am a school teacher and i see a LOT of verrry nice coats left behind as kids shed them immediately upon arrival (if they make it off the bus!) ... my own DS seems to run 10 degrees hotter than i do. He's also more physically active. i'd rather he left his coat at home than at school.

I used to feel sorry for the kids whose coats were in the overflowing lost & found pile at school, but now I realize that many of the boys probably see the "threat" of those coats going to Goodwill as a great opportunity.

OK! No more coats...that is where the unwanted go! Girls coats also! Kids have no idea how much coats cost.