By now, most kids have returned to the classrooms. They're back in the routine of getting up early, eating breakfast and tossing on clothes. But, it's not summer anymore so they have to make sure the clothes they put on, are appropriate for school. We've all had to follow one before, a dress code.
Just last week in Kentucky, one teen says she got in trouble for wearing a shirt that showed her shoulders. Now, keep in mind, her school's dress code clearly states that no one is allowed to expose their shoulders at school. But this teenager decided to retaliate and wear this shirt to protest the dress code.
Later, at school, the situation got even more heated between the teen and the staff and she was later arrested after officials say she became "uncooperative" and "loud". But, let's start with the heart of the issue.
Talking about dress codes is a touchy subject because you have different opinions of what's appropriate. You balance out the school, yours as a parent and your child's perspective.
Use real life examples when you bring up the topic of dress codes. You can use the situation of the Kentucky teen as a starting point. The key is to validate how your kids feel that it would be great if they could wear whatever they want, but there are rules that you have to follow whether you agree or not. For example, you might think that driving 65 mph on the highway is too slow. But, it's the law and if you break it then there are consequences. Talk about the reasons schools say that kids can't wear anything too short, too tight, too revealing or too offensive (language and/or sayings on clothes). Some possible reasons include seeing too much skin can be distracting, the focus can be on the body instead of the person, people can perceive you differently or in a way that isn't true by what you wear.
Your kids might have to deal with peer pressure to dress a certain way. Help your kids understand that no matter what their friends say, your kid should stand by what they believe is right. Role play with them of what to say to their friends and to ignore the testing. Help your kids realize that true friends won't push them to do something that they're uncomfortable with.
If you have any questions, you reach out to me on my Facebook page: Blanca Cobb-Body Language Expert. While you're there, give my page a "like" and write a message on my timeline. And I'll get back to you.