It was high school, but at 28 it did matter
- 51 Replies
I was raised by a single father I got dressed like a boy nothing girly I never fit in in middle school it was sad
I say buy him the clothes he wants, within reason. Don't break the bank to do it, but those places aren't too too bad. My husband has said for years boys look ridiculous in "skinny jeans" and refused to let our son get them. Guess what I just bought my 15 year old last week? Even Dh agreed it was time to let him choose his own style, even if we don't love it. He is still required to NEVER show his underwear in public ;-).
I buy my kids what is in style as long as it is age appropriate and nice looking. Teen years are hard enough.
Quoting Anonymous:
I agree that it does matter. It's not everything, but dressing well and feeling good about how you dress makes everyone feel more confident. I know I feel better when I have on clothes that make me feel like I look good! And its been decades since I was in Jr high!
I say buy him the clothes he wants, within reason. Don't break the bank to do it, but those places aren't too too bad. My husband has said for years boys look ridiculous in "skinny jeans" and refused to let our son get them. Guess what I just bought my 15 year old last week? Even Dh agreed it was time to let him choose his own style, even if we don't love it. He is still required to NEVER show his underwear in public ;-).
I agree. I always had great clothes and never felt self conscious because my mom understood, plus I was an only child so it wasn't a huge stress on my parents to buy me what I wanted.
My BFF on the other hand was raised by a single mom and had 4 sisters and were very poor. She has 2 of her own now, and we are in our 30's. Hers are teens and she has always made sure that her kids have name brand stuff even if she has to sacrifice things for herself for them to have it. She is also a single mom. She remembers how hard it was to be the kid who always had the crappy walmart shoes and thrift store clothes. She hated it and vowed her kids would never feel 'out of it' like she did. So far, she has kept good on her word.
I don't know what I did differently, but my teenage sons couldn't care less about what they wear to school. I have to monitor their clothing or they will literally wear stuff with holes (not the fashionable ones). They either don't care or they have absolutely no fashion sense. LOL They wear clothes from Goodwill all the time (and you can find brand names there). My son's girlfriends have made him throw away graphic tees, or have told him that sweater makes him look like a geek. He has his own style and refuses to change. He got rid of the girlfriend. LOL They were not kids lost in the crowd, either--but not jocks. <shrug> change schools?
My kids will always be dressed in style if they choose to because of my childhood. We couldn't afford the Abercrombie and hollister type stuff and I was always teased, it causes issues in children. It's my way of making sure my kids have better than me.
Whether they are trying to fit in, or stand unique on their own, they are simply trying to find themselves. It isn't right to deny them that, simply because we don't understand a fad, or as an adult, feel social acceptance shouldn't be the key to happiness.
I commend you for recognizing the importance to him.
leaving baby alone while i do laundry?
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