Opinions on Halloween costume, please...
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| Fri, 10-28-2005 - 8:54am |
Hi all.............my youngest isn't 'quite' a teen yet (he's 12), but you all are my comfort zone, so I'll post my question here.
He has 2 halloween parties to attend this weekend---one tonight and one tomorrow. He's going in my old pep squad uniform. I wasn't a cheerleader, but back in the day, our 'pep' squad consisted of hundreds of girls in the stands cheering (seated) with the cheerleaders. We all had like uniforms. Mini skirts (right above the knee---remember, I'm old), and a v-neck sweater with the school logo----saddle oxfords and white gloves. Well, I don't have the shoes (even if I did , his huge feet wouldn't fit) or the gloves, so he'll be in the skirt and sweater............
Anyway----my question is this..........should he wear makeup? He'll be in the uniform, with tight track pants underneath so his legs aren't bare (his choice, not mine---his bare hairy legs under a longish mini is hysterical to me.........)I'm going to put his already shaggy hair up in a topknot......the question is MAKEUP.
Middle school social careers can be destroyed over one simple 'faux paux'--real or perceived--now most of you that have read previous posts know my feelings about personal choices in life (I have no problems with diversity), but this is a 6th grade boy who in theory could have his feelings hurt if 'rumors' were to start............now this is a MOMMY worry, he hasn't expressed any concerns. I'm sure if anyone else posed the question to ME, I'd say "play it up, baby, it's halloween!!"...so logically I know if he wants the makeup, he should just wear it........but kids can turn on a dime.....
I could go regular makeup...........I could go 'babydoll' and really exaggerate it up---rosy round cheeks, freckles, bow tie mouth,false eyelashes..glitter.....the whole ball of wax..........or we could go no makeup............. Personally, my own opinion is that if he wants the makeup, the more garish and exaggerated it is, the less likely he'll get razzed.......if he wears just normally applied makeup, then I think he may get more flak.
anyway---since I'm not on the outside looking in, I need opinions!!

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I'd agree with what you already said.
For a little insurance, I think I'd actually encourage the makeup route, only make it as weird and outlandish as possible. Without the makeup, it may appear too close to cross dressing which may not be acceptable with his 12 yr old buddies, even if it is Halloween.
Oh... and no lipstick.. :-)
HI - since I don't have boys, I may be a little out of my realm here but what the heck - if he asks for make-up, give it to him but I would do it in a very exaggerated, comical way so that it would be clear to anyone and everyone that this is just part of the costume and not part of the boy.
I hope he has fun!!
I agree with everyone else -- the more exaggerated the make-up, the more likely it will be viewed as part of the costume and not as part of the boy.
My kids are still debating Halloween costumes ... looks like I'll be doing some sewing this weekend ... ugh.
I hope your DS has fun at his parties!
Thanks everyone--I agree---this silly pep squad uniform has come in handy, even w/ boys! My oldest wore it 2 yrs ago to a party (but he changed soon after arriving) and now the youngest has jumped on the bandwagon..................I'm just glad there is not too much creativity involved----off to wal mart tonight to buy pony tail holders and some glitter eye shadow and false eyelashes!! EASY!!
Daddioe, I understand the no lipstick thing, but for that silly babydoll look, I was thinking that pouty bowtie lips (drawn on and filled in), but it would include his actual lips..............what do you think? Draw on the pout and leave the lips alone, or just forget the lips all together?
Go all the way. Do the "baby doll" makeup with the rosy cheeks, freckles, bow tie mouth, false lashes and glitter. This way it will be obvious that he is wearing this as a "costume" and thus making fun of it.
IMO, the makeup will be the clincher. No one will think he's a serious cross-dresser once they see the makeup. Remember, there are those who will talk, no matter what, but if you and your DS don't care, then go for it. I've always thought that it's those with high self esteem and a concrete sense of their manhood who have the courage to dress like girls for Halloween. Those who are unsure of themselves wouldn't have the courage to do so, especially in middle school.
My DS and his best friend dressed up like girls in 5th grade and no one said a thing to them. It was so obvious that they were comfortable with themselves and so obvious that they were not cross dressers nor gay in real life. They looked absolutely hilarious. And, I agree with you, the hairy legs under the short skirt would be hilarious.
Pat your DS on the back for having such high self-esteem at his age. I hope he has a fabulous time at the parties.
By the way, anyone who says anything negative about him is simply lacking in self esteem themselves and are simply trying to bring him down. Soooo, tell him to ignore them.
Mily
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Tonight DW and I were talking about Halloween and all the silly costumes the kids wore. My favorite was the giant M&M one year.
I mentioned your post and my 2 cents.
DW (the insufferable PITA english teacher) chastised my use of the word "rediculous" in this context. I said, Sure! As in silly, outrageous, rediculous, funny !
(Yes...This is what we fight about.)
She said, You really didn't encourage her son's costume to look rediculous, did you?
Tsk..Tsk..shake of the head..
So...I'm setting the record straight..
I hereby remove the word "rediculous" and replace it with "silly funny and outrageous".
I hope all is forgiven. Please send her a note so I don't get detention.. :-)
sheesh..
Wow, Mily, thanks. I feel the exact same way. My DS went to this party last night and had fun----even the mother of the girl hosting the party made a comment about how 'brave' he was-----as a little 12 yr old girl walked by in overalls, a straw hat, and a PILLOW underneath to indicate she was pregnant...................hmmmmmmm. Pretty ironic to me....a pregnant 12 yr old is fine, but a boy dressed as a girl is brave..........nuts.
All the way to the party my son commented that he had the very best costume of all....so to hell with anyone who may have been offended or insecure..................he was so happy with it.
Butttttt, then the night ended, and the lip liner I used to make his babydoll cheeks wouldn't come off well. I tried eye makeup remover, and there is still traces of pink. I'll go get some cold cream this morning to see if it helps. I guess I'll be making anothe purchase in the halloween aisle for some pink costume makeup that may not stain.......oops. He's got party number 2 tonight---so we'll see if his confidnce is the same..........if it isn't, then I'll know the kids got to him.
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