Vent: Clothing

[AmandaKDT]

I don't usually vent, but I had something come up this morning that upset and stressed me.

I casually mentioned to a dcm that I would like her 2 year old child to continue coming in pants despite the warmer weather because I am hoping to prevent her getting scraped knees. She just turned 2 at the end of December and trips and falls easily when we go for walks.

Well mom got all upset and said she just bought her all her summer clothes and they are all shorts. I tried to explain again about protecting her legs from scrapes, but got interupted by another child and when I looked back the parent had left without even saying good bye to her child.

A little while later I got this long email from her saying that she is a single parent and can't just go buy new clothes on a whim. That she had already bought the shorts and pretty much doesn't care if her child scrapes her knees.

I responded back that I never asked to her buy anything, just that she continue wearing the pants she already owns for the next few months. It IS only the end of April.

I just felt this over reaction was uncalled for, along with the suggestion that I myself can just buy whatever on a whim because I am not a single parent. In fact we are having to be very careful with our own family budget as I am having to run my daycare with less kids due to my chronic pain problem. I had to sell stuff just so I could buy my kids birthday presents this year.

So, yeah, just wanted to share my unhappy start to a day. I have only about 2 months left of doing daycare, and I wish it could be all over right now,

[playfelt]

make sure to save a pair of pants from the child's bin and keep them at your house - hide them now if you need to. Then pull them on the child over the shorts anytime you are going outside. It will be too wet/cold on the ground for shorts till end of June anyways and I always remind parents of that too that no matter what the air temperature is that it is the ground temperature we need to be concerned about because the child sits on it.

[bright sparks]

I wouldn't let it stress you out too much. Remember this woman is responsible for her emotions and her reactions. Perhaps you got her at a bad moment and she took it the wrong way. Just like you are upset and stressed out over it now, it could be just the same with her. I think playfelt has a great idea. I see no reason why you cant just hang on to a couple pairs of long pants to throw over her shorts for outdoor time. I wouldn't really like someone telling me to dress my kid a certain way to be honest, although your reason is valid, I'd be a bit frustrated had I just been out and bought a whole summer wardrobe to then feel like I had to go and buy more stuff.

It does sound like you have both had a miscommunication issue. She has clearly not understood what you were asking her in terms of continue sending her in the same long pants not what she thought she heard which was to buy more long pants. I wouldn't make a fuss out of it if you are closing soon, it isn't worth it and like I said, just throw long pants over shorts for outdoor time until it warms up.

[3rdtimesacharm]

That is rude of her to just walk out without saying goodbye and when you had not resolved the clothing issue. Does this child come in short now?? Where are you located, here it was 8 degrees this morning so not yet shorts weather!! I like the little ones in tights, legging, or capris when they are fairly easily stumbling. Nobody wants to deal with skinned knees all the time, that poor girl!!
Your reply was good saying that you don't expect her to buy new clothing, and her playing the single mother card was not necessary.

I have a clothing vent today as well, 2.5 year old and 1yr old siblings arrive this morning with no coats. Just rain boots, (which the 1yr old cannot walk in. I had to borrow another sweater off another boy for the 2.5yr old to wear and we had to go out during the 1 year old's nap as I had nothing for him to wear! We couldn't go for a walk, so it was just backyard play. So frustrating! I sent a message asking for hats,n mitts and proper coats tmrw. I think it was just a monday rush thing and mom probably just forgot, but last week they didn't have hats, mitts, slush pants, just the rain boots and windbreakers. Thankfull it is getting warmer all this week!!

[AmandaKDT]

make sure to save a pair of pants from the child's bin and keep them at your house - hide them now if you need to. Then pull them on the child over the shorts anytime you are going outside. It will be too wet/cold on the ground for shorts till end of June anyways and I always remind parents of that too that no matter what the air temperature is that it is the ground temperature we need to be concerned about because the child sits on it.

This was why I mentioned the clothing now, I try to be proactive as much as possible. I am always very specific about the clothing for daycare and always have good reasons for why I make my requests. I feel alot of time the daycare parents don't think about the fact their child will be actively playing outside for a couple hours everyday, that the clothes they wear for their short walk to the car or for a stroller ride need to be different for coming to daycare.

[AmandaKDT]

BrightSparks - Thanks for your input, I try very hard to not take anything personally. It just through me off guard and I have already been going through some stressful times so it wad hard for me to just brush it off like I usually do.

But I don't think asking her to continue wearing pants is any different than asking for rubber boots or splash pants. I try to keep open communication and ask for things as it is needed in order for the day of outdoor play to go smoothly as possible.

Perhaps if she hadn't walked out the door in the middle of our conversation it would have been resolved right there on the spot.

[AmandaKDT]

That is rude of her to just walk out without saying goodbye and when you had not resolved the clothing issue. Does this child come in short now?? Where are you located, here it was 8 degrees this morning so not yet shorts weather!! I like the little ones in tights, legging, or capris when they are fairly easily stumbling. Nobody wants to deal with skinned knees all the time, that poor girl!!
Your reply was good saying that you don't expect her to buy new clothing, and her playing the single mother card was not necessary.

I have a clothing vent today as well, 2.5 year old and 1yr old siblings arrive this morning with no coats. Just rain boots, (which the 1yr old cannot walk in. I had to borrow another sweater off another boy for the 2.5yr old to wear and we had to go out during the 1 year old's nap as I had nothing for him to wear! We couldn't go for a walk, so it was just backyard play. So frustrating! I sent a message asking for hats,n mitts and proper coats tmrw. I think it was just a monday rush thing and mom probably just forgot, but last week they didn't have hats, mitts, slush pants, just the rain boots and windbreakers. Thankfull it is getting warmer all this week!!

It isn't warm enough yet for shorts, but it is supposed to be 22 degrees here in Winnipeg by the end of the week. People here go crazy as soon as it gets moderately warm and I am predicting that at least some of the kids would show up dressed like it is August already.

[superfun]

Oh my gosh, I would be shocked if a child came in shorts in this weather! Last week we were still wearing mitts outside in the A.M. It was warm enough in the afternoon, but mornings are so cold.

[5 Little Monkeys]

yikes, we're still in splash pants somedays!!

[mickyc]

Has this parent already sent the child in less than appropriate clothing?

Personally I can see the moms point of view. All my kids wear shorts here in summer. I have never ever told anyone not to. I have never had issues with scraped knees for any child. Even with the warm temps I don't ever worry about my kids wearing shorts until June. My basement is cool as well and my parents realize it.

Only thing I am firm on is no backless shoes and hats must be worn everyday! Also if they come wearing socks they keep them on all day.