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#Post#: 30803--------------------------------------------------
Polite wording needed
By: kidsandme Date: May 9, 2019, 8:43 pm
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I have young guest come to my place in the summer for a camp of
sorts. The guests come from a different climate compared to the
summer that I have. So how do I address the parents and suggest
that they should send more of x, y and z things rather than a
mix of clothes.
I don't want to offend anyone, so polite wording is needed from
the community. Thanks
#Post#: 30804--------------------------------------------------
Re: Polite wording needed
By: Sycorax Date: May 9, 2019, 8:57 pm
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Are the parents overly sensitive to criticism? If not, why
can't you just say that the temps are usually XX - YY,
activities will be ZZ and <appropriate outfits> work best. It
will be too warm/cold for <not appropriate clothes>.
Appropriate shoes are X, everyone needs a hat.
#Post#: 30806--------------------------------------------------
Re: Polite wording needed
By: Hanna Date: May 9, 2019, 10:07 pm
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Are finances an issue for the parents?
#Post#: 30807--------------------------------------------------
Re: Polite wording needed
By: kidsandme Date: May 9, 2019, 10:18 pm
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[quote author=Hanna link=topic=1125.msg30806#msg30806
date=1557457624]
Are finances an issue for the parents?
[/quote]
Finances are not an issue for the parents.
Maybe a not knowing of what to pack appropriately for the
weather.
They tend to be overly sensitive, I don't want to sound like I
am criticizing them and their parenting. Plus so many other
factors involved, so I want my email to be helpful and kind.
#Post#: 30812--------------------------------------------------
Re: Polite wording needed
By: Aleko Date: May 10, 2019, 2:18 am
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I think Pandorica's approach is the way to go: not giving advice
so much as information.
The climatic conditions. What other kids tend to wear (even the
most touchy parents should realise how uncomfortable it is for a
child or teen to stand out as a newcomer to the group because
they are dressed differently). What won't be necessary - eg no
need for a smart-outfit-for-evenings-in-town, because there
won't be any.
#Post#: 30817--------------------------------------------------
Re: Polite wording needed
By: Chez Miriam Date: May 10, 2019, 5:22 am
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You could also phrase it along the lines of "as you've probably
researched, our climate is warmer/colder, wetter/drier, than
yours, and we just want to avoid a repeat of the year when one
poor child arrived with only summer dresses and strappy sandals,
when jeans and fleeces with walking boots would have made her
much happier. We are so looking forward to welcoming your
child(ren) here in our home/country. Please do let me know if
you have and questions as to what clothing would be
suitable...". If there is a need for specific clothing, this
would be a good time for a 'reminder'. [We used to wear old
[dad's] shirts at infants' school to paint in, to protect our
clothing - not something we'd ever done at home, so it was very
useful for the family to be told about this!]
#Post#: 30818--------------------------------------------------
Re: Polite wording needed
By: Kimberami Date: May 10, 2019, 5:56 am
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As a mom, I would appreciate the information.
Edited
I misunderstood the OP. My first part is still appropriate
though. I also really like Pandorica's wording.
#Post#: 30819--------------------------------------------------
Re: Polite wording needed
By: Hanna Date: May 10, 2019, 6:25 am
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[quote author=Pandorica link=topic=1125.msg30804#msg30804
date=1557453477]
Are the parents overly sensitive to criticism? If not, why
can't you just say that the temps are usually XX - YY,
activities will be ZZ and <appropriate outfits> work best. It
will be too warm/cold for <not appropriate clothes>.
Appropriate shoes are X, everyone needs a hat.
[/quote]
Every camp I went to as a kid had this type of “what to pack”
info for us.
If it’s a group (rather than just 1-2 families) you could write
that you put together a list because parents previously asked.
#Post#: 30820--------------------------------------------------
Re: Polite wording needed
By: Sycorax Date: May 10, 2019, 6:47 am
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[quote author=Hanna link=topic=1125.msg30819#msg30819
date=1557487518]
[quote author=Pandorica link=topic=1125.msg30804#msg30804
date=1557453477]
Are the parents overly sensitive to criticism? If not, why
can't you just say that the temps are usually XX - YY,
activities will be ZZ and <appropriate outfits> work best. It
will be too warm/cold for <not appropriate clothes>.
Appropriate shoes are X, everyone needs a hat.
[/quote]
Every camp I went to as a kid had this type of “what to pack”
info for us.
If it’s a group (rather than just 1-2 families) you could write
that you put together a list because parents previously asked.
[/quote]
Same here - we've gotten "what to pack" lists from all of the
camps my kids have been to. If OP's camp regularly has kids
visit, I wouldn't think it was weird to provide a list of
appropriate gear. X shorts/shirts, Y underwear/socks, etc.
#Post#: 30824--------------------------------------------------
Re: Polite wording needed
By: Hmmm Date: May 10, 2019, 8:44 am
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My answer depends on many situations.
Is this a repeat visit? Did the child come with clothes not
suitable to the climate before? Is the camp a day camp for a
couple of weeks? Are you more addressing the clothes to be worn
when not at camp? How old is the child? By the time my kids were
around 10, I lost all control on what they wanted to wear. We
live in a warmer climate, but my son wore nothing but shorts for
3 years with his only acknowledgement that the temp had dropped
below 40 F was to put on a long sleeve shirt and a hoodie
instead of just a tshirt. And I've seen the opposite where it's
90F and a guy still has on pants and a hoodie. So it could be
the child's choices and not the parents.
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