Friends, a few weeks ago we hit a very critical point in the year. Are you familiar with this:
I call this look “It’s barely spring and you need to wear pants for a few more weeks. So where are the higher socks?” Or maybe you know this style as as “Sweet Baby Jesus, kid! I wasn’t aware that surviving on mac and cheese and chocolate milk alone could make you have such long legs?”
Even though I swore that come hell or high waters I would NOT buy new pants that would only be worn for a few weeks before my kid breaks out his summer uniform, shorts and muscle shirt–yes, muscle shirts, the man is a firm believer in sun’s out, gun’s out–
I found myself hitting up the sale racks in search of pants of appropriate length; however, my main man has some specific requirements when it comes to pants. And friends, it’s getting a little tricky because all pants that enter his closet MUST meet the following description:
1. Pants with the color orange will be given preference before all others.
2. If it says “skinny leg” or has a more trendy name like like “rockstar” or “preppy,” it’s still a skinny leg and you need to walk away, Mom. Walk away.
3. And the most important rule: All pants purchased must be “comfy pants” i.e. pants without buttons, zippers, snaps, or clasps.
So at this point we are anti-jeans at all costs and have a closet full of active pants or basketball pants or lacrosse pants or whatever they name pants that don’t contain buttons or zippers.
On the particular chance that we have an event or a holiday that requires my boy to wear real pants, I approach my son with caution and a long list of reasons why real pants are the way to go. Negotiations ensure and they tend to be long winded and often end in tears and bribery. Usually I cave and allow corduroy or khakis.
But sometimes, friends I win these arguments and I have brief glimpses of the stylish dude I know is hiding behind those swishy, athletic pants. Seriously, his pants are so noisy I can always hear him sneaking up on me.
Sometimes when I get him all dress up I even get hilarious pictures like this! I call this picture “My mom made me wear pants”
Really I should be more understanding. After all, I spend most of my days in yoga pants and get a little grumpy when I have to wear real pants with buttons and zippers too. Apparently he gets his style trends from his Mama.
So point me in the direction of “comfy pants,” please. I’ve got a man with long legs and ankles that need to be covered for a few more weeks.
That is TOO funny! We live in Georgia, so when my son was young, I had this same problem. I was so thankful when he finally decided that pants were great.
New place looks great!!! Kids are pretty cute, too 🙂
“sun’s out, guns out” oh I can’t stop laughing! As soon as it hits 50 or higher here the kids start wearing shorts to school. It’s crazy to see big fluffy winter coats because they are “cold”…but have shorts on.
This is too funny! I have not yet done the shorts thing, but my sons tend to have longer than necessary pants due to the waste needing to be a bit larger so in turn their pants last quite a while. My youngest is more apt to get holes in his before he has a chance to outgrow them. Sadly. Spring is pretty much here in NH, I hope it stays.
Your son sounds EXACTLY like mine. I’ve finally laid down the law that he can’t just keep wearing sweats or exercise pants everyday. I went to Old Navy this past weekend to get him 2 pairs of pants – one cargo pants, one pair of jeans that he has to wear to school – at least 1 pair a week….I know in a few weeks he’ll be wearing shorts – and those are also all athletic wear!
I just bought a few pairs of workout shorts for Red from Carters. Gap and Naartjie Kids usually have a good selection of knit waistbands that my son loves. But he’ll wear jeans no problem. HIs cousin, on the other hand. Heck no. Basketball shorts and PJ pants all day long.
LOL “come hell or high waters” that’s hilarious! I certainly get where you’re coming from about the need for comfy pants. Zippers and buttons on pants should be outlawed for everyone….just my opinion.
For us it was all about moving from pull up elastic waist pants to young mens pants and jeans with zippers. I was so scared he would injury himself! But he outgrew the kids clothes. Luckily he has been safe so far and wears clothes that I used to fit into as an adult!
Mitch
Your son sounds just like my daughter! She wears leggings pretty much every day, and doesn’t get thrilled when she is made to wear real pants either lol!
For a while it seemed like my son would need new clothes every month. Luckily we are in Florida so he can wear shorts most of the time.
My son is 18 and still hates jeans. It’s a sensory issue for him.
My kids wear the same type of things often. I don’t mind but if we have somewhere nice to go… That’s a struggle. Wish our weather was as nice as yours! Soon!
Haha this is too funny. My son had a similar problem, except with sweaters.
Ha! Mom of boys can all relate, I’m sure. We are all fans of comfy pants around here, too.
Totally right there with you! My kids wear uniforms to school and despite temperatures being in the high seventies and low eighties since February, we have had a few super cold fronts causing them to put the pants back on. I made my daughters wear boots with them to cover the flood but had to grab a few new pairs for my son.
Mine are old enough to make their own pant choices. Lol. Very funny post!
I love that rule, and completely agree: all pants that are bought much be comfy pants. Nobody got time for uncomfy pants, that’s for sure.
Nothing beats being able to show your legs without freezing to death! Bring on summer and the warm sun…and shorts!
This was funny! We’re a ‘I’m in the house, who needs pants’ kind of family. Because really… pants?? Why ? 😉
I love knowing we’re not alone in the ‘let’s just be comfy’ kind of life!
I have a niece that would only wear dresses, no shorts or pants! I can totally understand the craziness
Kids grow up so fast. I remember going threw this when my kids were little. Thrift stores are perfect for kids clothes.
Agreed! Thrift stores are life savers when it comes to growing kids!
It never fails. Kiddo is so tall and at 10 she is not too far from passing me at the rate she is growing. While her pants still fit her, they have become too short. When that happens, we cut them into shorts and ‘play outside’ clothes. That way we get our full thrift store price out of them. lol
I’m having a similar struggle. My son is ripping the knees of all his pants somehow. I refuse to buy new pants. He’s going to be in shorts from here on out. It’s L.A., it’ warm enough. lol
BTW, I like his definition of “comfy pants”.
He is seriously so cute! My daughter is growing super quickly all of a sudden too. I’m trying to avoid buying any more cool weather clothes……so layering as much as possible!
He is such a cutie! I remember when my kids went through a phase where they changed their outfits over and over. Thank goodness that didn’t last long – lol!