Can you believe this?

I had a play date with a mom and we were chatting about bikes and scooters. She told me she gave her nanny a little extra money to teach her 5 year old how to ride his bike. She said she was getting frustrated with it and just wanted it done.

Ok, then she told me she has strong opinions about how kids dress and how it will impact their future.

This was getting interesting.

Her boys look nice. They’re always wearing khakis with printed belts, sweaters, button down shirts, nice shoes like bucks or topsiders. My kids wear sweats and t-shirts. They look good, but I don’t put them in clothes I think would be uncomfortable for play.

Her theory is that if you get them used to “proper” attire it will become normal and they will have the upper hand later in life.

I thought she was an idiot.

I was always wearing comfortable clothes as a kid and I can’t stand dressing up now. Could I have had a different future if my only choices were dresses as a child? Would I be having more good play dates right now? Would I be hiring someone to teach my kid to ride his bike?

I don’t know, but this play date was annoying. Especially because her son spilled juice all over his shirt and his mom asked if she could borrow one of my son’s t-shirts so he’d be comfortable.

He was really into the Batman t-shirt I picked for him. I’m hoping he asks his mom for one just like it.

Posted by BadPlaydate in Childhood, Family, Fatherhood, Gossip, humor, Motherhood, parenting Tags: bad playdate, bad playdates, dress child for success, family, fatherhood, humor, judgemental, motherhood, nannies, nanny, NYC, parenting, playdate, SAHM, stay at home dads, stay at home mom, stay at home parents, suburbs, teaching kid to ride a bike, toddlers