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Organize Your Life

Your Little Boy Does Not Need a Suit

October 4, 2016



I’ve organized a few closets for clients’ little boys, and I am amazed at how many ties, button-down shirts and blazers they have. We are talking first, second grade boys here.

“Do they like wearing this?” I always ask the moms.

“No,” is always the answer.

So why do you have it?

Your elementary school aged boy does not need ties or jackets — even for fancy events. Please stop making them suffer by forcing them to wear this. No one expects your child to dress like an adult.

I have taken my son to a wedding in a cotton, collared shirt, shorts and tennis shoes. Here he is headed to watch “The Nutcracker” in a T-shirt and tennis shoes:

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Here he is wearing a collared shirt and soccer pants to synagogue for Rosh Hashanah — one of our biggest holidays of the year.

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I refuse to put him in something that makes him miserable. Plus, by letting him be, I don’t have to buy and store all the dress-up stuff for the two times a year he’d be forced to wear it.

And I know why you do it. You are so afraid others will judge you because your son showed up to a wedding, the professional ballet or a house of worship with soccer shorts on.

You know what I say? I don’t care what other people think. That’s their problem. My son is comfortable and not hating me for making him put on a ridiculous outfit for a 7 year old.

Of course, this won’t last forever. I will teach him he has to wear a suit for the job interview, the wedding and the funeral. He’ll have to wear something nice to his bar mitzvah. (I still may not make him wear a suit.) But he can learn those lessons when he’s 16 or even older. He is 7 and does not have to do it now.

So do me a favor. Go kiss your little boy and get rid of the ties, shirts and jackets. Just let him be.

PS — I don’t mean to gender stereotype, but usually it’s no problem getting a little girl to dress up. In fact mine is usually way over dressed. But if you have a girl who does not like to wear dresses, the same rule applies. Let them wear what they want.

 

Filed Under: Because I Said So

(919) 623-1160

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Leah Friedman
Hello!
I'm a professional organizer in Raleigh, North Carolina, helping people declutter their homes and work spaces.

Testimonials

Leah Friedman turned a wretched job into fun! It’s true. She even had me laughing. She is worth every penny. We plowed through two closets. They are now nicely organized, and I know where to find my clothes. I even know what I own. Leah hauled about six bags of give-aways to Interact. I heartily recommend Leah. She gets the job done! She a combo of firm, gentle and fun. Just what I needed.
Judith TillmanRaleigh
After working with Leah Friedman, the room looked and felt calm, rather than chaotic. When I am overwhelmed again, I will certainly hire her expertise and energy. What an investment in order, calm and piece of mind!  
Lucy KeenanRaleigh
I love the way my master closet looks, and my husband is very happy, too. Thank you so much for helping me through the whole process. I still can’t believe how much work we got done.
BeckyDurham
Leah helped me to organize several spaces in my home that have been on my “to do” list for years. She arrived on time, ready to tackle the projects, and made something I dreaded doing lots of fun! She never judges, is always encouraging and gets the job done in a reasonable amount of time. I highly recommend her!
Anne ShermanChapel Hill

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