Kilt(s) with kids at school.

[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.)

[highlandcelt]

Alot of good points and ideas. Ultimately, the decision is yours and your childrens. Think hard on it. Children at that age are impressionable. Ask yourself, "Am I wearing this kilt because I want to show my heritage and pride? Or, am I wearing it for others', or even my OWN "benefit"?" (Vanities sake, showing off) To thine own self be true.

[Kilted KT]

I'm with matt as well. If the kids are fine with the kilt, then go for it.

[Colin]

Dave, I hear your dilema, mate. I used to drop my kids off at their old daycare kilted all the time. Not really an issue when you know the owners and there are only 8 kids. The Montessori daycare/pre-school/kindergarten my kids have been going to for the past year has been different. At first I didn't wear the kilt when I dropped them off for the very reasons you suggested. I also wanted the other kids to get to know my kids without my quirks being the topic of conversation (I also wore long sleeves to hide the tattoos until the spring). Now that my kids (and my wife and I ) have established relationships with the other kids, I will allow more of my self to be seen with the school. I never felt I was hiding anything, or not being true to my self or my kids, I just left that to "my time". I think it also taught my kids that sometimes what they want and what is appropriate for the situation is not always the same.

I have worn kilts to all the concerts (as has my son), we've saw quite a few of the other kids at the highland games this year, and my daughter has started the Scottish gang with one or two of the other girls (basically they practise their version of highland dancing and talk about their kilts and daddy's kilts..........not unlike us ).

This year my son will stay at the school for Kindergarten, and my daughter will be taking her first (they already did some teaching before) year of pre-school. Both are really bright kids.