About 4 years ago, our district instituted a school uniform policy. There was some opposition, but I never had a problem with it. In a lot of ways it's easier and the students/parents have become familiar with it.

One of the requirements that was written into the policy was that shirts be tucked in. I never forced my kids to do it because I rarely wear my clothes that way and it was never strictly enforced by the school. My bad, right? Now, I'm being told by my 6 yr old's teacher that the school is cracking down on this and he needs to tuck in his shirt. Okay, I'll talk to him about it, but I know it is more comfortable for him not to tuck it in and I can't guarantee it will stay that way throughout the day. This policy of tucking in the shirt also applies to gym t-shirts, so I'm told, but I can't see how the shirt will stay in during exercise.

So what does this all lead to? I'm not sure. LOL It is only a select few teachers and staff that enforce this shirt tucking policy and my son happened to get one of the stricter teachers. I hope I can convince my stubborn and bull-headed 1st grader to tuck in his shirt!

By Melanie on Monday, September 8, 2003 - 05:08 pm:

Ah, don't let this one bother you. He will quickly figure out that his life with this teacher will be much easier if he follows her rules. If he untucks it, support the teacher in the consequences, which I assume will be only slightly uncomfortable for him as this is not a major issue. I think it's good that he will have to adjust to new rules for a new teacher. It will help him be flexible as he grows and is exposed to other authority figures with their own rules and priorities.

By Mommyathome on Monday, September 8, 2003 - 05:39 pm:

Ditto Melanie

And, good luck to you Sunny, trying to convince him to keep it tucked in!

By Karen~moderator on Monday, September 8, 2003 - 07:21 pm:

Ditto Melanie here too.

By Dana on Tuesday, September 9, 2003 - 11:14 am:

Our schools requires tucked in as well. Well! Let me tell you, a tiny 5 year wearing the smallest size avail which is still too big, will have a tucked in shirt for about 3 minutes. I try, but it is no use. I tuck it in her panties to start, but of course it comes out as soon as she uses the bathroom.

It is tough for the little ones to learn HOW to tuck the shirt in. So I tuck, I encourage tucking, but beyond that it is beyond my control.

I do agree it is best to TRY to follow the rules. I guess that teacher is just going to have to be full of reminders. It is up to her to make the tucking something they do without thinking. They just are with us long enough during the day w/ those clothes on.

It is right up there with saying "yes ma'am/no ma'am" "please" and "thank you". REMINDERS REMINDERS REMINDERS all the time! It doesn't happen on its own.

By Dawnk777 on Tuesday, September 9, 2003 - 12:13 pm:

Good grief! That would drive me nuts. I'm glad my kids don't have uniforms and mine are old enough to tuck by themselves, but kids move around during the day and play at recess. How do they expect those clothes to stayed tucked in all day? I can't say that if I was a teacher, I would even care if the clothes were tucked in! Maybe it's a good thing I'm not a teacher at that school! There's so much other learning that needs to happen at school besides how to wear your clothes.

By Mommmie on Tuesday, September 9, 2003 - 02:03 pm:

My son is in a private school with uniforms and a strict tuck-in policy. He had never, ever tucked in his shirt until his 1st day there this year - 3rd grade. I expressed my concern to his summer school teacher (no uniforms during the summer) and she just smiled and said, "Oh don't worry, He'll do it. We'll safety pin his shirt to his underwear if we have to!" They've never had to! He's doing it without complaining. And he looks so sharp every day with his button down shirts tucked in with a belt.