Kilt(s) with kids at school.

[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.

[Panache]

Dave,

One additional thing. You know the "Question". If you are around kindergarteners or other small children the answer had better be "boxers or briefs". Trust me on this!

Cheers

[TechBear]

Dave,

One additional thing. You know the "Question". If you are around kindergarteners or other small children the answer had better be "boxers or briefs". Trust me on this! Cheers

I disagree. I think a better answer, even with young children, is a gentle "That is not a polite question."

[pbpersson]

One thing which has not been mentioned but keeps coming back to my mind -

If you try to keep it from your children's schoolmates it is only a matter of time before they find out and THEN the question on their mind is why were you trying to hide it from them in the first place?

[Panache]

I disagree. I think a better answer, even with young children, is a gentle "That is not a polite question."

TechBear,

You misunderstand me. I have never had a little boy or girl ask "The Question". Being at a kindergarten class is somewhat like being with wild animals, they are unpredictable! They run around, grab at you, knock you over, try to crawl under you, and a host of other frenetic activities. It's not that they are bad, they are children. They have 50 times the energy that we do and the attention span of a mayfly. When around young children it is better safe than sorry.

Cheers

[mudd]

When around young children it is better safe than sorry.

Yes. At that age, they'll most likely just look for themselves rather than ask "the question".

[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.