Would You Let Your Child Participate???

That was the best WEEK! We did Wacky week ... one day it was a tie, the next hair, the next clothes, then lunch (we had "non" lunch foods brought in from home), I forget the other "wacky" theme we did but it was SOOOO much fun! We did this every year and looked forward to seeing it on the calendar.

What a horrible woman....I feel SO bad for her son. Can you imagine how little joy he has in his life?

I imagine this was based on the book Wacky Wednesday. Is it possible she found something in there objectionable? (But I can't imagine what that would be.) And I know from my own experience as a day care and middle school math teacher, that sometimes parents object to these sort of days because they are seen as unnecessary or a waste of learning time. There is no telling what motivated her.

I think that mom needs to have that broomstick surgically extracted from her a$$.

How sad that she can't let her son have a little fun (school-sanctioned, nonetheless). What wonderful childhood memories she's creating for him. When he hits the teen years she might come on here wondering why her son is rebelling and doesn't want to listen to her anymore and thinks she's total b@#*&.

I remember being sooo sad when my grandma wouldn't let me wear my pajamas to school on Pajama day. We as a class 'earned' a pajama/movie day because we all got 100% on our spelling tests. We were all allowed to wear our pajamas, and bring in pillows to lay on during a movie. I was the only one who had no pillow, no pajamas. It sucked. Luckily my friends shared their pillows!!

It sucks not to be the only one not dressed up for fun, harmless things like this. It should be interesting to see how this kid rebels against such strict parenting when he hits his teenage years...

At our house, we are Wacky every day, not just Wednesdays.

Some people are just no fun at all. I feel sorry for that mom and her son.

I let my son dress "wacky" on a normal day. Is that bad? :P'

Many schools do "Wacky Wednesday." It is for fun and school spirit.
Its really no big deal.

What a boring Mom.
Maybe they have personal reasons or it is against their beliefs/culture etc. Who knows.

Poor son. He was sad.

At my daughter's school, they do it as a SCHOOL. Not just a class. The whole school. All grade levels. It is fun. Just for fun.
Yes, I let my Daughter do it.
There is no harm in it.
Even the Teacher's dress up for Wacky Wednesday, at my Daughter's school. Even they, get silly.
That is what is about... about being silly. Innocent silly fun.
Not about 'deviant' behavior.
Just fun.
Not over thinking it.

I feel real sorry, for her son.
He will maybe, just rebel later.... when he gets older.
What an uptight Mom.
Scary.

Or, maybe they do really have a "wacky" person in their family, and it is a touchy subject.
Or maybe she is wacky herself. Mentally.....

Awww, poor kid. Sounds like he lives "wacky everyday" with a mother like that!!

Of course I would allow my daughter to participate and she would have a blast.

I really feel for this little boy. Uptight mom needs to lighten up and get real. Her sone will end up hating her if she continues this way.

Maybe she is on this site and gets a wake up call.

What do you mean "of course you are not going to ask her"? Why wouldn't you ask her? There is no harm is connecting with her and asking. Anything could be going on with her and maybe she needs someone to connect with about it.

I taught for 10 years and I saw a lot of this.
We used to do hot lunches once a month, order in from a local restaurant - one mom NEVER allowed her children to participate. When I sat her down, alone and asked her, sincerely from my heart why, she told me she couldn't afford it. From that day on I paid the $5 for her 5 kids.

Another family never came to any thing outside of the regular school day. I found it interesting because mom was very involved during the school day. She was there from 9-3 every day with them doing whatever any teacher needed. I asked her why she did not attend the concerts (nor would the kids attend) or become a member of the PTA or put her kids in sports and, after a heart felt connection, she told me that she lives in a very abusive house. As long as she is home, she and her kids are safe. But if her husband comes home to find no on there, there would a lot of fighting that followed. She said it wasn't worth it.

So for wacky day...who knows...maybe it brings up bad memories of a childhood experience, maybe it has to to with "being proper" and "respecting education", who knows...UNLESS YOU ASK.

Instead of taking about her, how about talking to her. Who knows what that connection may bring.

B.
Family Success Coach

Of course I'd allow and even encourage my child to participate. That poor boy must have felt so left out.

"we don't do wacky in our family" BORING FAMILY!
If my son came home and wanted to be wacky I would be all for it!! yeah for hair coloring, crazy clothes and just being silly.
L.

In a wacky kind of way, by being the only one not dressed 'wacky' means he was the wackiest one of all. So in a way, he participated? Maybe the teacher found a way to help him not feel left out and maybe his peers found a way to include him after you left?

I think some parents don't understand the power and importance of social inclusion and, instead, try to force their children in age-inappropriate ways, to prove a philosophical or religious point (even when no one really understands the point being made). It is sad because young kids don't understand what exactly "the point" is of parents strong beliefs and sometimes internalize it in a negative way (e.g., what is wrong with me for being different from my family for wanting to do what they don't want me to do? And, what is wrong with me for not doing what the teacher asked and everyone else is doing?).

Fortunately our peers often find ways to include us anyways oftentimes, regardless of how 'wacky' our parents are:)

Wow, good question. I wonder what she thinks Wacky means?

Our daughter loved those fun days. She loved seeing everyone on campus doing silly things.

That poor little boy.

Absolutely! We are all about the silly at home, most of the time.

My son recently had Pajama Day at his preschool. Actually, they did it for two days so all the kids could enjoy it. Trouble was, on the evening of the first day, he wanted to wear a tee shirt and sweats to bed, so those were his 'pajamas' that he wore the next day. We got some stares for that one!

Of course I would let my child!

Thoughts on why maybe she wouldn't:

Religion? That sometimes makes people act weird.

Maybe they think it is bad manners? Maybe she had a bad experience with a clown as a child? She thinks school is a place for learning and not to act wacky?

Poor kid - missing out! Hopefully he still had fun during class, though. Maybe she had a good reason......=(

I feel bad for the boy, I hope he still had fun, after all we can be wacky even without the clothes, well I can, lol.
My daughter have some fun days (they change every year) they had the twins day (her friend and her dress the same), pajama day (they did put rules about what kind of pajamas), wacky sucks, wacky hats, opposite day, etc.
I wonder too why the mom was so against to?

I certainly would! How sad for that kid! He probably already has an ulcer! I have to say I probably would have gotten myself in trouble because in a non-confrontational way I would have had to ask why she was so against it. Probably not a good idea, but I can be naughty like that!

My kids' school had Crazy Hair Friday last week (or you could wear a crazy hat instead). We had a great time thinking up ways to have crazy hair! I was surprised how many very specific ideas my girls had. We had a lot of fun with it!

I feel sorry for that little boy whose mom wouldn't let him participate in Wacky Wednesday. That mom sounds like a real piece of work! I have no idea what objection she could possibly have??

Yes, this is part of being a kid. I feel sorry for that child. Personally if I were the teacher I would have asked the child after Mom had left. It is a hat and that isn't going to hurt anything. On the other hand him being the only child left out will!

my kids did all of that, they had crazy hair day, pajama day, they had twin day, tey had clash day, they did it all, it;s harmless fun. Some don't believe in all of that, it does not make them wrong just different. J.

Heck yeah my kids could do it. All the schools in our district are uniformed. He is in private school this year for kindergarten. Nextyear though he is going to public school. I am excited for those days. In fact I have a stash of stuff we use when were are bored to, just to get wacky at home.

I cant speak directly for the mom, just seeems like she doesnt know how to cut loose. She may think it is above her. So sad. I hope her kid got to try and enjoy the day anyways. That really is too bad.

Why not? It isn't hurting n e one and it'd fun! Kids need a break from all that heavy learning!

I'm all for the school/class spirit days. My eldest has a lot of fun with them, as does my youngest. My middle daughter struggles with them and won't do some of them because "clothes aren't supposed to be backwards." She doesn't like how certain things feel or look, and she's very particular about things. She tends to roll her own way anyway though ha ha. I do have to say... all of them especially love pajama days.

During the summer my girls have dress up days at camp. I let them choose whether or not they want to participate - 99% of the time they do and they love it.

I can't think of any reason why this mom would not allow her child to participate, but I'm sure she had her reasons.

My daughter's too shy to go full out wacky, but yes. Seems harmless to me; there are much worse things in the world.

That poor little boy... Of course I let my kids do Wacky or anything like that... I know here in Texas, especially during drug free week, the kids do all kinds of great stuff like that... I think it's great that the schools make it fun for everyone, that just too sad some parents have to be that way... Can't really enlighten you on why they are that way, maybe she thinks it's all about work...and if you aren't focus then you aren't learning... I think kids retain more when they enjoy what they are learning...
GO WACKY DAY!!!

I love the wacky days. It's a chance for people to have a little fun and get creative.

As far as the mom and her not allowing her son to do it, maybe she thinks it interferes with the reason her son is at school and that is too learn. Maybe she is working a lot and doesn't have the time for it. Maybe she doesn't have money for it. Who knows. Hopefully she talked to her son about it and explained the reason.

I understand about the son being sad. At the same time, there are parents that don't let their kids trick or treat because of their religious beliefs on Halloween. Sure it's a bummer--for the kids--but that's life I guess.

If you do want to ask her, and I am a very curious person, so I probably would, simply say, "I hope you don't mind me asking and if you do, please don't feel obliged to answer...but may I ask why?" There's no harm in that.

It could be a religion thing.
Some seem like they think fun is some kind of sin.
We've done spiky Mohawk hair cuts on my son for wacky day.
Look at it this way - it takes all kinds = different strokes for different folks.
How would you like it if anyone pressured you to do something that you didn't believe in?

Some people see it as encouragement to do deviant behavior later in life... tattoos, multiple holes in ones head, goth, emo, cutting, and the like. I had a friend that wouldn't let her child be dressed in anything that could be considered "play" clothing. Patent leather shoes, floofy skirt, and lovely tops... She looked like she was always ready for church.

"We don't do wacky in our family"???? What on earth? That is the strangest thing! As if wacky were something immoral, unethical, or dangerous. Good grief. My heart goes out to that kid!

If I were you, I would privately ask the mother why she does not allow him to participate. School is more than just the education. It teaches kids social skills and builds self-esteem. By withdrawing this boy from social activities, his confidence will certainly be diminished.
You never know maybe its a cultural or relgious thing, but ask the mom. This boy needs someone on his side for something as silly as "wacky wednesdays"... Good luck!

My girls go to a Math/Science Magnet school that is very academically oriented. However, this school also has more spirit days than any school I've ever heard of! It's such a wonderful way to break the monotony of school, get everyone in a good mood, let kids and teachers connect on another level and generally make school a fun and happy place to be. The kids love it and we never miss a single chance to participate. They have Crazy Hair Day, Crazy Hat Day, Pajama Day, Decade Day, etc. All the teachers participate too - it's a hoot! There are always a handful of kids who aren't dressed up, but that's because they forgot, not because they weren't allowed.

I feel terrible for this poor kid! I agree that there's no harm in asking her why she didn't want him to participate in the fun with everyone else. (put it that way so she understands what she made her son miss out on)

YES - my daughter would love that!

Absolutely. We all need to let our hair down and do wacky things. Kids
love doing something out of the box.

I'm with at least asking her why because there might be something going on at home or with this kid.
My son has a friend whose older brother is high functioning Aspbergers, but you would never know it by looking at him or talking with him. He's a great athlete and musician and gets good grades in school, but has some weird sensory issues and tendencies.
He has to wear a red shirt to school every day and can't wear certain textures. I bet he would have a hard time dressing wacky for wacky day, it might just be too "off" the routine for him to tolerate. Not saying this is the issue for the kid you mentioned, but you never know.

Wacky Wednesday sounds like fun to me but as far as I know I am the only parent that does not allow my children to put on the kid tattoos. I wonder now what people say about me?

Ahaha That lady is going to hate it when he rebels or turns out a way she didnt want him too. My grandma wants me to be some cutesy little primpy girl, and I love dressing in all band shirts with my short bright red hair and skinny jeans and fake doc martens and flannels. Makes her so mad. but honestly, I could care less cause I am the way I am. I hope that kid turns out the way his mother wants him too, makes me sad that parents still act like that.
Oh well, to each theri own I suppose

Would WE have? Absolutely.

However, all you have to do is look at the thousands of schools which are canceling Halloween (or banning formal dances) to see that not everyone likes dressup... regardless of the occasion.