You MUST pick one: Which is worse?

DandR

I was at the post office, waiting in teh worlds longest line, daydreaming about Pin and all her Post office fiasco's and there was a family in front of me...the dad was dressed to the 9's, very handsome, looked like pricey clothes...and the girl--her coat HAD to be a handme down, it was dirty, her hair not combed or taken care of, she was 8 years old and if she hadn't called this man "dad" I would have taken her for a homeless kid hanging out in the post office......

Sooooo which is worse???

[Poll]

Scooter359

With my step kids, anything expensive we get them to wear they pretty much destroy, and we let them pick out their own clothes now. Whatever they pick we usually let them wear, no matter how ridiculous it looks. It makes them happy. And im terrible at doing their hair. =/

amiamish

I guess it depends on how bad the kids look, but generally when I see a "homely" looking kid I'm assuming either they are going to play somewhere and get dirty, or they just came from playing, or maybe they didn't want to cooperate that morning when their parents tried to get them ready.

DS can look REALLY bad sometimes when I pick him up from daycare, and I'm all dressed up because I just got off work. I'd hate for people to judge me/him based on that.

ridesbuttons

One of the reasons I am grateful to have boys is that I think we 'get away' with looking dirty more easily than if I had girls.  That, and their hair is short so life is just a wee bit easier on the judgy side of things.  Wee bit.

Ciarrai

My brother wore sweatpants and t-shirts/sweatshirts for two years straight from about ages 8-10.  He would not wear any other kinds of pants and even wore them during the summers.  The rattier the better for him.  T-shirts and sweatshirts were the same.  They were "comfortable".  Not sure how often he showered, though I know Mom and Dad tried to make him or how well he washed when he did shower.  Sometimes, you gotta pick your battles.  I usually at least attempt to get the girls hair brushed before I leave the house, but sometimes I'm just running to the store for a jug of milk, they picked their outfits that day (which are now probably stained with PB&J, yogurt or whatever they had for lunch) and I'm too tired to argue.  I know they look a mess, but whatever...

dnagal

I'd likely assume the "pick your battles" scenario.  As a parent, you likely need to dress in a way that is appropriate for your job.  But, there are lots of kids that are a mess within seconds of bathing/dressing, and who destroy clothing, play hard, etc. 

And, I generally mind my own business when standing in line. 

DandR

dnagal:

I'd likely assume the "pick your battles" scenario.  As a parent, you likely need to dress in a way that is appropriate for your job.  But, there are lots of kids that are a mess within seconds of bathing/dressing, and who destroy clothing, play hard, etc. 

And, I generally mind my own business when standing in line. 

huh?  I was minding my own business....but I'm allowed to look at people while standing in line, no???? 

I do judge this...just as I judged the other woman in line who was morbidly obese and her pants were ripped at the seams at her crotch...her underwear and upper thighs were hanging out and it was gross...I almost took a picture because it was so unbelievable......

Honestly---I don't get the belief thats its ok for your child to look so dirty.  Sure, I've seen the kid walking out of a restaurant with food on his/her shirt....or kid leaving a park covered in dirt.  But I'm sorry, I'm ok with picking the battle that you must comb your hair daily, bathe daily, brush teeth daily.