Kilt(s) with kids at school.

[Big Dave]

Okay, I have a dilemma. My daughter starts school in september, kindergarten (seems like only yesterday we brought her home from the hospital). She loves my kilts and has no problem with me wearing them (nor does my son, or even the rest of my family ), she even helps me pick out the kilt(s) I plan on buying/wearing.
So my question is this, should I still wear my kilt when I take her to school and pick her up? I had a really hard time in school and I don't want my kids to have the same (or worse) trouble then I had. I'm not shy about my kilt(s) and don't really care if someone doessn't like my kilt(s) (I'm big enough to scare people away. ). I realize though that (some) kids are cruel and don't care what you have to say about kilts, and I don't want my kid(s) to be made fun of for something I could just prevent by not wearing the kilt at school in the first place.
I understand that I can't always be there to protect my kids and they need to learn the hard way with life. I just want to help them as best as I can.
So am I being smart with not wearing my kilt when I drop her and pick her up from school or should I not give a rats *** and wear whatever I bloody well want. (I'm leaning towards the not wearing it at her school, 'cept for parent teacher nights).
Let me know what you all think, thanks.

[highlandcelt]

Talk to your children. Ask if it is okay for you to wear your kilt when you drop off/pick up your children. It seems that your children are secure enough in themselves and you to help you pick out your kilts. Then again, kids can be cruel. Ask yourself if you want your kids to go through the teasing or not. Are they strong enough to handle the jibes and jokes?
I wear my kilt when I pick my son up from school, and he doesn't have any problems. His friends and classmates just say, "Whoa! That's cool!" But, then again, my son is 11. I hope this helps!
Good luck with this!
Regards,
Matt

[NewKilt]

I second what Matt said. Talk to your children about it. I have never had or heard a single remark from children in the preschool through grade school ages. The park were I take my daily walks had a summer camp going on recently (a day care). I ran into these children frequently when I had to go to the pavillion to use the restroom. They would look at the kilt and then just go on with whatever they were doing.

It's possible that it would just never be an issue with the other children.

Darrell

[arrogcow]

This is an issue that I've worried about myself (thankfuly my kids are only 2 1/2 and 9 mo). At this time I take them to story time at the library and to the children's museum, and many of their future classmates are getting used to seeing me in a kilt. As such I am hoping it won't be a problem (and the cutest thing in the world is an 18 month old saying, "That's daddy's kilt."

Adam

[Tattoo Bradley]

THis one's definately delicate indeed. I had never even considered this one. I don't have any kiddos yet, so...

I can say that the kids I've come in contact with have done nothing but stare wide eyed. Some say "COOL" or something similar. Never heard one say something bad. Then again, I'm an adult (a big, bald, tattooed one at that) and not one of their classmates. The flowergirl (Nikki's cousin's daughter) is seven and she smiled big as Texas and told me she liked my outfit. I'd probably agree with some of the others and say talk to your kids. I'm sure whatever you decide will be the right choice seeing the amount of thought you've put into it.

Good luck.

[Panache]

Dave,

If your daughter is fine with you wearing a kilt then you should wear a kilt. Just be prepared to talk about how you are dressed to a multitude of children and parents.

I too suffered quite badly through my early school years. I was shocked (though pleasantly so) at how bullying is dealt with far more severely nowdays. My son was proud of how I dressed and wore his own kilt to his kindergarten promotion

Take a look at these threads:

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/s...ad.php?t=18064

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/s...4&page=1&pp=10

Cheers

PS: Here is a word from my 6 year son Sinbad

wear your kilt

bye


sinbad

[Prester John]

Actually, and take this with a grain of salt, I have a different opinion about this.

Stay with me, here.

I'd start with pants. Add the kilt later, once kids get used to you, and you are just part of the background. It'll be easier on them, and on you.

As for a time frame, wait until after Halloween.

Now, at the risk of offending the kilt cops, I reiterate that kilts are just clothes, and there is an appropriateness to every kind of clothing. One wears a swim suit to swim, not to dinner; a tux to formal events, not to grill meat with.

For kindergarteners, who are starting a brave new world, sticking out is good after the initial entrance into a larger social environment. Once they have found their niche, sticking out, or having dad stick out, is very cool.

Children bounce back, but they are sensitive at times like this.

That is it.

Just my opinion, and anyone else's is just as valid.

[Kid Cossack]

Dave:

That's how I do it, in a kilt. My number one monster, the Amazing Miss Masha, likes my kilts and takes no guff from any of the kids at school about me wearing them. She's 6 (and a half). All the kids from her class are already familiar with the kilts, and me. Some of the older kids (8, 9, like that) don't quite understand. One day I saw her 'splaining them that her Daddy was from Texas, but that way back when our people came over from Scotland and Ireland, and that as proud as her Daddy is of being from Texas, he's also proud of his Scots and Irish blood, "and I'll give you what for if you give me any guff about it!"

[KiltedCodeWarrior]

Hmmh, good question Dave. Maybe one I should have thought about before diving into kilt wearing full time, but that is an issue for another thread (i.e. is KCW a self-centered SOB or just a misunderstood father, tune in tonight on Geraldo!). Basically, I just dove right in, for everybody. My girls are 3 and 5, so close to your kids, and they both have been going to pre-school (Montessori), for the past 2 years. I started wearing kilts last September, after our move to Chicago, and after they had started their new school. And to be honest, there have been no issues. Some of the kids (and parents and school staff) have asked why I wear a kilt, but all very inoffensive and really just curious. I actually took the girls to some birthday parties soon after I started wearing a kilt, and got few comments (mainly from the parents), and some friendly questions. The most interesting one was a pool party in November (indoors of course), and I had to use the family changing room, along with all of the other parents who had opposite sex children. Some of the ladies thought is quite funny, no overt comments, just could tell.

I guess what I am saying is that the parents are more likely to have a problem with the kilt, and their kids will likely reflect that, regardless of when they see you wearing it, day one or after Halloween (Sorry John, no offense intended).

I have had few occasions to question whether I shoudl wear a kilt since I started. The last time was for my uncle's funeral (My father's younger brother) early this year. My uncle died suddenly from a massive heart attack at age 54. I immediately flew down for the funeral. I had only been wearing a kilt for 4-5 months at that point and not around my family much as we are in Chicago right now. I decided to take kilts to wear for casual wear, and also a nice (USAK BW semi-trad) one with my Argyll jacket for the funeral. I also took a nice dark colored suit. When I got there, I asked my father if he would mind if I wore my kilt to the funeral and made it clear it did not matter to me either way. He just looked at me and said he did not care. Kilts were part of who I am and he was just glad to have me there. After that comment, I have never worried about anybody else's opinion on my kilt wearing or where. It falls into 2 camps, either you wear a kilt as part of your wardrobe, or it is a costume that you wear only under certain conditions, and possibly if you feel it will be well received.

And before I start a war with those comments, I am sensitive that not everybody wears a kilt for the same reasons as I do. I am just pointing out a greater truth, that what a person choses to wear should not influence somebody else's opinion of them.

[Kid Cossack]

Two dudes, four little girls, Montessori and kilts! Watch out, tho--those girls of yours will grow up free thinkers! (I got a little of that at Montessori myself.)