Short Skirts

Why do parents put short skirts on their preschooler? The styles themselves are appropriate but the length is more the issue. Kids play. They climb, roll on the floor, and lay down for nap. And if they're wearing a skirt above the knee they are showing their underwear all day long. I feel weird having to intervene and put leggings on them and then explain at pick up. Or having to tell girls how to sit. Or tell the boys not to look (though they need to learn that anyway.)
Anyone else have some kind of dress code rule about this? I don't want to discriminate against girls but I don't think the parents realize it or care.

[Lil_Diddle]

As a mother of a daughter, I can tell you it is hard to shop for girls clothes. They are all made short, even the shorts are rediculously short. Just maybe put it in your handbook about dress codes that girls must wear shorts or leggings under dresses or skirts.

[kidsandchicks]

I am so thankful that most of my families will put shorts or leggings under skirts so it hasn't been an issue I've had to deal with lately. I have one mother who has a very different view of modesty and how her daughters should dress. I have the youngest child in care now and, thankfully, dad has been dressing her so her bottom is always covered, lol.

[Baby Beluga]

I agree with PP - it is hard to shop for girls.

With that being said I have it in my polices that shorts or leggings must be worn under dresses and skirts. I have the same rule for my own daughter.

FWIW: I don't view it as a discriminatory thing. I view it as a modesty and sanitary issue.

[Hunni Bee]

It is hard to shop for girls, but I don't think that's an excuse. Bike shorts are not hard to find.

With my daughter, I keep all her simple cotton shorts from the previous summer that are too short, to wear under her skirts and dresses.

I know some people think that it's cute or not really a big deal for little girls undies to be exposed. I just don't think my daughter wants a crotch full of mulch or sand.

[Poptarts22]

My house follows my rules. I am ultra conservative and i wear a skirt at all times in accordance with my religious beliefs. A child sent in a skirt needs to have tights, leggings or a diaper cover on. I explain it at our interview and have it in my handbook. Modesty is taught.

[daycarediva]

Originally Posted by Hunni Bee

It is hard to shop for girls, but I don't think that's an excuse. Bike shorts are not hard to find.

With my daughter, I keep all her simple cotton shorts from the previous summer that are too short, to wear under her skirts and dresses.

I know some people think that it's cute or not really a big deal for little girls undies to be exposed. I just don't think my daughter wants a crotch full of mulch or sand.

and even old leggings that are way too short are cute capri's under skirts.

[Mike]

Originally Posted by Poptarts22

My house follows my rules. I am ultra conservative and i wear a skirt at all times in accordance with my religious beliefs. A child sent in a skirt needs to have tights, leggings or a diaper cover on. I explain it at our interview and have it in my handbook. Modesty is taught.

That's how mine will be. I'm religious as well. My beliefs are males not even wearing shorts and females wearing skirts or dresses that go well below the knees. I won't require the same code from parents, but will at least require modesty, like extra coverage if a girl is wearing a skirt or dress that doesn't go well below the knees, and boys require decent coverage as well. You wouldn't think that would be an issue, but a friend of mine years ago had a boy (5 or 6 then) who didn't like underwear and one day he was wearing baggy short shorts. You can guess the next part, but he didn't care. Not long after that, those shorts "disappeared". They never did ask me about them.

[Pestle]

Oh, it's discriminatory! But it's not you who's being discriminatory. It's the whole industry--designers, purchasers, and retailers. It's horrifying that baby girls are sexualized by this industry--just look at all the candy, glazed donuts, strawberries and such on the prints, and the flirtatious text on the shirts. Delicate fabrics that make parents tell the girls to keep out of the mud. And short skirts make it harder for girls to romp and play; no coverage means that cuts and scrapes are much worse when they fall. Kids this age ought to be kitted out in a rash guard from the neck down!

We only have one child so far but want more, so in addition to avoiding sexualizing our daughter, we also wanted gender-neutral clothing to save for later. So most of what we buy for her is from the boys' section (of the thrift store--getting ourselves out of the supply loop that fatally exploits workers in, for example, Bangladesh, is another priority of mine).

We do buy leggings for her, though, because she's so skinny that she needs suspenders to keep jeans up. If she's got my genes, that'll all change once she hits puberty and her hips slam way out.

Heck, I got sick of how women's pants keep my crotch in a death grip all the time, and I've started buying men's cargo pants. I'm a 32-30 in Wrangler, it turns out! Great for somebody with big hips like mine; the fit reminds me of the pants I miss from the '90s.

I'm a total religious nut, and for me, modesty means de-emphasizing gender, especially the cultural aspects of gender that exist for the visual pleasure of the opposite sex , and emphasizing humanity--so I like rocking the androgynous look.

[Blackcat31]

I require clothing for both genders to be easy to move in and fit properly. Children need to be able to safely run, jump, move and play as a child.

I have no specific rules about skirts, dresses or whatever....just so long as the clothing meets the above requirements.

If a specific child wore something I felt was inappropriate for care, I'd mention it to the parent but like I said, it's not always about covering up but more about safety and practicality.

I have personal beliefs about my own dress attire but they apply to me for my own personal reasons.

[Mike]

Originally Posted by Blackcat31

I require clothing for both genders to be easy to move in and fit properly. Children need to be able to safely run, jump, move and play as a child.

They need to be able to be kids.

[Magic]

years ago in the summer I was shopping a a big outlet store
there was a young family with 3 little girls
all girls where wearing sweet summer dresses
one was sitting in the seat of the shopping cart
with no underwear
very clearly seen
it only takes one fast snap of a camera phone for the world to see this child had no underwear
for this reason mainly I have always supported shorts under skirts until the child is older

[Hunni Bee]

And speaking of little girls clothing, does anyone else hate to see a little girl wearing a short top and leggings, and all their little goods are visible ?

I'm not sure why leggings became the only type of pants society feels little girls need, but I can't do the whole "crotch print/panty line for everyone to see" thing. If you head to any Garanimals, Cat & Jack, Carter's, Okie Dokie, etc table and start being in love with all the candy colors and pretty prints...By the time you get there all you are going to find are thin cotton leggings and t-shirts that barely pass the waistband.

I don't know why designers feel it's cute or okay not to honor girls' modesty. My daughter is all girl - pastels, glitter, cute animals, ruffles so I can't stick her in boys clothing, nor do I want to. I always wanted a daughter to dress up, so she usually ends up with layers - undershirts under the skimpy tops, skirts over leggings, lots of cardigans. Bleh.

[daycarediva]

Originally Posted by Hunni Bee

And speaking of little girls clothing, does anyone else hate to see a little girl wearing a short top and leggings, and all their little goods are visible ?

I'm not sure why leggings became the only type of pants society feels little girls need, but I can't do the whole "crotch print/panty line for everyone to see" thing. If you head to any Garanimals, Cat & Jack, Carter's, Okie Dokie, etc table and start being in love with all the candy colors and pretty prints...By the time you get there all you are going to find are thin cotton leggings and t-shirts that barely pass the waistband.

I don't know why designers feel it's cute or okay not to honor girls' modesty. My daughter is all girl - pastels, glitter, cute animals, ruffles so I can't stick her in boys clothing, nor do I want to. I always wanted a daughter to dress up, so she usually ends up with layers - undershirts under the skimpy tops, skirts over leggings, lots of cardigans. Bleh.

My only daughter is the anti thesis of girly girl, and we did a LOT of shopping in the 'boys' department. To this day, she still loves cargo pants because.... POCKETS MOM!

I have ONE dcg who I suggested the same thing- she loves dinos and trucks. She has a TON of nice wearing boys clothing. Now I have another dcm buying 'boys pants' for her 4yo dd because they are ACTUAL pants and wear better.

I love gender neutral clothing and we do the majority of our shopping at thrift stores. I wear boys clothing (boys XL fits me great!) because of 'girl cut t-shirts' all that means is tight and my boobs are going to show.

[Pestle]

Originally Posted by daycarediva

I wear boys clothing (boys XL fits me great!) because of 'girl cut t-shirts' all that means is tight and my boobs are going to show.

I haven't tried men's shirts because I have a narrow waist and wide hips, so I suspect they'd make me look like a triangle with feet.

[Pestle]

Originally Posted by Hunni Bee

I'm not sure why leggings became the only type of pants society feels little girls need, but I can't do the whole "crotch print/panty line for everyone to see" thing.

When your kid is four years tall and two years wide, the options are:

1. Leggings
2. Suspenders
3. Overalls
4. Dress

As long as the leggings aren't see-through, I'm okay with the panty line, but I do worry about UTIs from wearing snug clothing. I wonder when the leggings for men will go mainstream again. . . .

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com...7e504e58b4.jpg

[laundrymom]

I agree. Leggings or shorts under dresses because no
One wants sand in their hoohah.

[Controlled Chaos]

Originally Posted by laundrymom

I agree. Leggings or shorts under dresses because no
One wants sand in their hoohah.

this

[Leigh]

Originally Posted by Pestle

When your kid is four years tall and two years wide, the options are:

1. Leggings
2. Suspenders
3. Overalls
4. Dress

As long as the leggings aren't see-through, I'm okay with the panty line, but I do worry about UTIs from wearing snug clothing. I wonder when the leggings for men will go mainstream again. . . .

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com...7e504e58b4.jpg

https://meggingsman.com/

[DaveA]

No formal policy, but if DCPs send a child in something that isn't going to work (inappropriate, too tight, whatever) they get changed into my extra clothes. The uglier mismatch the better. A few times and the parents usually get the hint.

Right now my big issue is convincing an 11 year old autistic girl that she needs to start wearing a bra. This battle is going to put mommy and daddy in an early grave.

[DaveA]

Originally Posted by Leigh

https://meggingsman.com/

Not a chance in Hades!

[TXhomedaycare]

I require girls to wear shorts or leggings under their skirt or dress (in my handbook). I have only had one family that sent their child without anything under her skirts and mom was offended when I asked her to put shorts on her. The little girl was 1 and always had her legs open (they are the reason I added it to my handbook).

[Mike]

Originally Posted by Hunni Bee

I don't know why designers feel it's cute or okay not to honor girls' modesty. My daughter is all girl - pastels, glitter, cute animals, ruffles so I can't stick her in boys clothing, nor do I want to. I always wanted a daughter to dress up, so she usually ends up with layers - undershirts under the skimpy tops, skirts over leggings, lots of cardigans. Bleh.

Because they make what the majority buy, and the majority like to show off their mini glamour models.

[Blackcat31]

Originally Posted by Leigh

https://meggingsman.com/

But.....in many European countries BOTH boys and girls wear tights until they enter school.

Easy to move and play in and warm too!

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

Originally Posted by Baby Beluga

I agree with PP - it is hard to shop for girls.

With that being said I have it in my polices that shorts or leggings must be worn under dresses and skirts. I have the same rule for my own daughter.

FWIW: I don't view it as a discriminatory thing. I view it as a modesty and sanitary issue.

Same.

I'm extremely modest but don't have my daughter wearing knee length skirts. They're not short but they aren't knee length. I don't know that I've even seen knee length 3T skirts in the stores I go to.

[Ariana]

It is hard to find decent clothes for girls but you really have to make it a priority. My own daughter is so skinny that the only thing that fits her around the waist is leggings. Her jeans are cinched to the very last button on the inside cincher thingys and they are still falling off! I generally go a few sizes bigger in the leggings too which gets rid of the skin tight look but they still fit her and are comfortable!

My kids have never worn a dress without some form of capris legging or bike short. Thankfully I have never run into this issue at daycare. I had one child who wore a bikini to sprinkler day. I could tell she was uncomfortable in it but we had no boys in my care at the time and we had no rear neighbours so no one could see her except us girls. I felt bad though because who buys a bikini for a 6 yr old?...oh yeah my MIL bought one for my 5 yr old which I promptly tossed in the garbage.

[Hunni Bee]

Well for all the worrying I did over my daughter being tiny/preemie, now she's pretty chunky...45 pounds at 3 and she's in 5T in certain things. She can wear different pants, I just can't find any I can afford. All the jeans/khahkis/cargos she has are secondhand. She wears lots of sweats too.

Today she has on a dress, bike shorts and a cardi (it's 80 degrees here ) Most of her friends just have on the dress.

[MotherNature]

One reason I love Matilda Jane-keeping little girls little, twirling, happy & carefree. No words like juicy on the butt. Longevity and awesome designs that grow w/ your girl. Check it out:

matildajaneclothing.com/karhmadent

[Play Care]

Originally Posted by Blackcat31

But.....in many European countries BOTH boys and girls wear tights until they enter school.

Easy to move and play in and warm too!

In most European countries you will see topless women and completely naked children on the beach.

[Play Care]

The only time I've ever had an issue with clothing was when my dcgirl wore a two piece bathing suit where the bottoms were too large. When she moved you could see everything.

I'm not bothered by a flash of undies on fully pottery trained toddler or preschooler. If the child expresses the need to have coverage I will hand them a pair of shorts.

[Hunni Bee]

Originally Posted by MotherNature

One reason I love Matilda Jane-keeping little girls little, twirling, happy & carefree. No words like juicy on the butt. Longevity and awesome designs that grow w/ your girl. Check it out:

matildajaneclothing.com/karhmadent

That's beautiful stuff. But I am not at a point in life where I can pay $45 for a top for my toddler and feel okay about it . I can try to fake it at Old Navy and Once Upon a Child.

[Mom2Two]

Originally Posted by Pestle

When your kid is four years tall and two years wide, the options are:

1. Leggings
2. Suspenders
3. Overalls
4. Dress

Old Navy has elastic waist jeans in toddler sizes. They are what my (30 lb 6 yo) daughter has worn for the past several years.

[Mom2Two]

Originally Posted by Pestle

Oh, it's discriminatory! But it's not you who's being discriminatory. It's the whole industry--designers, purchasers, and retailers. It's horrifying that baby girls are sexualized by this industry--just look at all the candy, glazed donuts, strawberries and such on the prints, and the flirtatious text on the shirts. Delicate fabrics that make parents tell the girls to keep out of the mud. And short skirts make it harder for girls to romp and play; no coverage means that cuts and scrapes are much worse when they fall. Kids this age ought to be kitted out in a rash guard from the neck down!

And PREACH sister! I agree. It's so disrespectful of children's needs. They need to be free to play for their development.

I buy capris for my little girl for the Summer so that her knees can have some coverage. I hate that so much of the Summer clothes for girls are just short shorts. What's the purpose of that?

When I look at the way girls are dressed/illustrated in movies they are so often in ridiculous sexy, skimpy, or delicate clothes.

I just finished watching Star Wars Force Awakens again, and I noticed that the first new clothes Rey got showed a lot of cleavage. Really? To fight the dark side of the force we need a low cut shirt? Did they dress Poe Dameron with an open shirt showing hairy chest? No! He got the right clothing for the job.

And it's so hard to even find women's sweat pants with pockets! I know we want to look skinny and pockets add bulk--but surely the fashion industry could think of something!