Pants Suggested
Some days I feel sorry for my children. I’m not your garden variety mom, even though I call myself traditional. Well, traditional in the way that we eat dinner together every night, homework has to be done after school, bed times are at a set time and there is no food allowed in the living room. Ever.
Other than that, I guess there isn’t much traditional stuff going on. Mostly there is a lot of foolishness and quite often, some really thought provoking dinner conversation. I’m thankful that we’re past the “poop”, “pee” and “fart” conversation level. We talk about politics, crime, bullies,music and tales from my childhood, among a zillion other topics. Always entertaining.
Last night, however, it was pure foolishness. Maxx and Mya needed me to fill out forms for their spring school pictures. You know, the forms that show some rather perky children in a variety of poses under a fake tree?
Maxx decided he wanted to be in charge this year. I guess ‘in charge’ when you’re a sixth grader includes picking a pose for spring picture day.
“We have to pick a pose, Mom. I want to pick this year.”
“Which one?”
“I’ll just do pose number three, just like I did last year.”
“Oh, OK, so basically you’re choosing the one I picked last year except you’re making the decision this time?”
“Right. I picked.”
“What about this one? I like this one…”
I pointed to the picture of a girl laying against the tree with the faraway look. Sort of the “Elementary school meets Hollywood diva” look.”
“You’re joking, right?”
“No, dead serious. BUT I want you to tell them that your Mom wants you to lay down. No leaning against the tree. Just bring a pillow. That way it’s sort of a realistic picture of life as a pre-teen.”
“Mom, that would be Zach who does the sleeping. Not me. I’m up early every day.”
Maxx likes reality. I was a little off-base trying to tell him he was a sleepy pre-teen. He gets up before I do. Every day. Without an alarm clock.
“OK, go with pose number three, but did you see this?”
“What?”
“The little red circle here that says ‘pants suggested’. What’s that all about?”
“Whoa. Mom. Why wouldn’t I wear pants?”
Now we’re both laughing. Maxx grabbed the form and sped up the stairs to show his brother. I heard lots of laughing upstairs. That’s good stuff.
Who at LifeTouch studios, the photographers tof zillions of students across the country, thought to put that little blurb next to a child laying half on the ground under a fake tree?
Pants suggested?
I’ll say. I suggest my children wear clothing on the lower half of their body on a daily basis. Pants, shorts, something. It’s always suggested but NEVER optional.
For all of you “realists” out there (or those with no sense of humor whatsoflippingever) I know…they meant a short skirt wouldn’t be appropriate. Might show the whities in the picture.
Why bother having this pose if they have to suggest to parents that their child wear pants?
The conversation about suggested pants continued in the car this morning as I toted the kids to school. We can stretch a story to the limit in this family.
Of course, everyone wore pants to school today. Just as I suggested.
Pants are important for children, now if we can get them to wear proper fitting ones, we may save this world from unwanted cracks in the system.
I agree–it should say "pants worn at the waistline suggested" My son complains about the kids in 8th grade who "sag" their pants. He said it looks so uncomfortable. I can't believe parents let their kids wear their pants below their butt….
I think maybe that photo thing was meant for a school in a nudist colony…
Found the direct link to the 2010 No Pants Subway ride in NYC – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UxI46nl9pkc Enjoy.
No food in the living room? Mooooommmmm!
I'm so out of it I didn't think school photos had poses. I thought they were all head shots or a bunch of kids standing around a table looking at something. I'm all for pants, though.
I understand NYC has a no pants day in January every year. Talk about crazy. And you thought Providence was bad. (http://blog.sellsiusrealestate.com/marketing-tips...
I thought by the title that this was an article about John Edwards' mistress and her tacky pictures with Barney! Your article was much more informative and enjoyable! The "Pants Suggested" sticker was crafted by the same rocket scientists who coined the phrase "Caution: Hot Coffee is Hot" and other precious monikers. Thanks for the laugh, I needed it!
Funny..several hours after I wrote this, I wrote one about Rielle Hunter with no thought about the correlation til you wrote the comment. It's a pants off day! http://www.examiner.com/x-40156-Celebrity-Social-...
Hey, for adults, that would be genius. There are days that I forget my keys and get in the car and wonder why it won't start.
LMAO. I need that sticker on my front door. If you only knew how many times I've accidentally walked out the house wearing suit jacket, tie, and long Johns. Sometimes even making it 4 blocks before someone says, "Hey Brett… You forgot your pants again." I think the creators of that sticker are a genius.