WWYD- coat stained at school harvest festival?

[jensen]

I haven't read all of the posts, but why don't you try Mineral Spirits to get the paint out? That is what I use to clean paintbrushes... it will smell awful, but just throw the jacket back in the washing machine and the smell will come right out.

 

[RobinFabulous]

Dressing kids for school is always a gamble -- don't "bet" anything you aren't prepared to lose.

I've done both. Bought really nice clothes that when outgrown hadn't been worn for fear of "messing them up" and had a brand new smocked dress ripped on the playground slide the first week of preschool.

I can tell you the messed up is better. I figure if they've worn it and enjoyed it than it was worth the money I pad. Otherwise it's going on Ebay where I'm getting a fraction of what I've paid, so I lose money.

I know not exactly the same situation, but still.


I have the SWEETEST custom overalls that I got a BEAUTIFUL bow on Ebay from that I still haven't sent to preschool for fear of that bow getting ruined. Stupid, I know, but I'd like her to wear it a day with me first at least

 

[luvsJack]

I don't know if this as been suggested and it may sound strange, but try Murphy's Oil Wood Soap. It actually gives directions on the bottle "for clothing stains". Hold the stain to the bottle and tip to put just a small amount on the clothing. It has even taken old stains out for me.

From child care experience: Sometimes "washable" paint that isn't will come off better after it drys really hard. On some clothing it will actually chip off. You can take a really sharp knife or razor blade and scrape it off. (just be careful not to cut the fabric)

As for complaining to the school, I would at least say something to the organizer of the event (if there is one other than the teachers). This activity should either be done inside or not at all. Painting is a great art activity and kids should be given total freedom of expression. BUT, when other kids are close by and it is obvious that some of the kids are getting a bit out of control with the activity than they should have changed gears a bit. The activity could have been done with a bit more control over the painting aspect of it. Allowing only one or two at a time to paint, one adult working directly with the painters and providing old adult size sweatshirts to put on (allowing them to take off their coats) over their clothes, all would have helped the situation. Waiting until the damage was done and then trying to wash the coats at school just doesn't make sense to me. One jacket getting paint all over it would have been enough for me to realize we needed to change things up a bit.

 

[jenniferma]

Original OP--

I know this tread got a little nasty (IMO)... but I was wondering if you'd had any luck with any of the stain removal ideas?

have a great day- jen

 

[WDWHo]

I would be upset but would not complain to the office. There is NO chance you will get reimbursed so why complain? The good news is, the coat will still work (keep your kid warm) even if it has a stain. Keep us posted on what happens.

 

[disneymarie]

I know our teachers always sent a note home on a paint or activity day to wear old clothing for the activity will cause a mess. This at least will put them on notice to NOT do this again..

I wonder if LL Bean may have thoughts? I had back pack ages old to be repaired, instead they sent a new one. That one was from college days. I also had a one sling healthy back tote summer part mesh type and they did not have one like it I wanted so they did the repair free. They are very PRo customer. Although if the coat was an outlet buy it may no longer be available. But they may know what to clean it with. '

You want to make sure not to use a product that will remove the blue color.
Good luck
Oh, I keep cheap old jackets in the car, just for days we did not plan on weather change. Good in a pinch like that.
Hugs I hope it works out OK.
Dianne

 

[kadesha]

I am a preschool teacher and I only wear clothes to school that are ok to get paint on. lol, I've had several nice shirts painted on, lesson learned! I also only send my kids in clothing that isn't too good to be stained. I understand that you want your child to look nice, do some bargain shopping and just buy cheaper clothes for school. Save the nice clothes for church, outings, etc. Complaining to the school isn't going to do any good. We rarely get complaints about our kids getting paint on them, but when we do nothing is to be done. It's not like we are going to make them quit doing fun activities. Consider this experience your lesson learned!

 

[Aristomommy]

I think the activity was unnecessary when it had to be outside. While it's no big deal for shirts to get dirty, coats are a big ticket item. Our schools use washable paints and markers with kids, which I appreciate. They also use old t-shirts or smocks when a big mess is expected.

I would let the school know so this doesn't become a yearly activity. But I don't think the school should pay for the jacket.

Try the different things mentioned here, I have had some really tough stains come out by trial and error. LLBean could also offer solutions.

 

[MrsPete]

I only read the first few replies because I'm dumbfounded! First, congrats to all of you who are weathly enough to have multiple coats for your children. This may come as a shock to you, but there are those of us who buy our children one coat (and one pair of shoes, and one backpack, and one lunchbox, etc.) and need those items to last throughout the year.

I just cleaned out closets and sold a BUNCH of kids' coats and shoes on ebay. Several coats went for .99 and the highest seller was a brand new Lands End jacket that went for $15.xx. Similar prices are available at consignment stores and Good Will. When my girls were smaller and outgrew things frequently, people gave me hand-me-downs all the time for free -- and I passed on plenty of still-good clothes to others with smaller children.

When a play coat can be purchased literally for the cost of a soda, the vast majority of Americans can afford one.

 

[Resseda]

While I can understand the idea that this is *the* winter coat for the year, not *a* winter coat, I have to echo other posters comments that kids need to be sent to school knowing they might get dirty. If that means next year that instead of a $60 LL Bean coast, they get a play one from Kmart and a nice one from Penny's then so be it. I think a note home would have been nice, but I think my general take on things is kids will get dirty (even doing things you's swear there was no way they could get dirty doing it), prepare accordingly.

Ress

 

[dismom2]

OP, I, too, have had luck with using Oxiclean. Sometimes I have to make a paste out of it and soak it overnight. Sometimes I have to repeat several times, but I have had good luck with it. I understand how you feel--I have been there.

 

[digitalsiren]

That is a good idea to send a not home as an FYI for particularly messy days. Kind of odd that smocks were not provided. I don't think the school should reimburse, especially where the parent was present, nor do I think that the activity should be avoided althogether. Art is an important part of learning for a lot of children. Read up on the Theory of Multiple Intelligences. How about trying some Greased Lighting (which works on nearly everything for me) or asking for the name of the paint so you can email the manufacturer for stain removal tips?

 

[graygables]

Let me tell you my winter coat story. When I was in the 3rd grade, my mother bought me a faux fur ivory winter coat with a lovely super-furry placket. Why the woman bought a 3rd grader an ivory fake fur coat is beyond me, but anyway. I wore it to school for the first time on Halloween. Someone was horsing around and spilled fake vampire blood dead center on the placket of my "fur" coat. I was in a shambles b/c I KNEW my mother was going to freak out. The teacher did her best to calm me and wash out the "blood", but it was definitely there and most definitely pink. Right in the middle of my chest.

Sure enough, my mother freaked out on me, the teacher, the principal, the kid's mother, and everyone else. I hated that coat and have not been very fond of my mother, either. It's a COAT. It's not a fashion statement. It's meant to be worn for the protection from the cold. As long as a stain does not prevent it from doing its job, put the coat on the kid and send her out to play.

 

[nilseks]

I understand the frustration, but unfortunately it sounds like one of those 'live and learn' type things. You already expressed your frustration to the teacher. If it was me I'd probably just leave it at that.

Last year my son (then 6) went through 3 pairs of snow pants and 2 coats during winter b/c he played football at recess every day in the snow. I learned the hard way, but very quickly, not to send him to school in decent winter coats. Over the summer I got smart and picked up 3 pairs of snowpants and 2 coats from garage sales, all for $1 each. He hates both of the coats, but I explained to him that if he's going to destroy coats playing football, I need to buy things that are less expensive. Bottom line, we both got over it, lol.

 

[3girls4me05]

Let me tell you my winter coat story. When I was in the 3rd grade, my mother bought me a faux fur ivory winter coat with a lovely super-furry placket. Why the woman bought a 3rd grader an ivory fake fur coat is beyond me, but anyway.

Oh man... I am so jealous. I wanted one of those coats so badly in third grade. I believe I ended up with a Snorkle coat instead

 

[chloelovesdisney]

I would be upset if my child painted with their coat on. My problem with this story is that you were present when it happened. I would accept the fact that I didn't correct the situation when I had the chance and keep trying to clean it.

 

[princessmom29]

So the school has to let the kids be creative? Fine! I love creativity. I'm an avid crafter myself. But perhaps it was poor judgement on the teacher's/school's part in the case of this particular activity.

Yes we all know kids get dirty and messy, and we even expect it. But to have such a fantastic no-way-you-won't-get-messy activity, with the mess-creating means provided by the school seems a bit silly to me. Not to mention, the result was more than just silly. Especially in these economic times when the price of a second coat for a child may just push the budget past a breaking point.
I'm with the OP. I would definitely complain to the school. Not to expect any money for drycleaning, but to prevent a repeat for next year.

I only read the first few replies because I'm dumbfounded! First, congrats to all of you who are weathly enough to have multiple coats for your children. This may come as a shock to you, but there are those of us who buy our children one coat (and one pair of shoes, and one backpack, and one lunchbox, etc.) and need those items to last throughout the year.

Shame on you teachers for scolding this mom for being upset about this. What arrogance!

To the OP: yes, you should be upset. You asked and were told that this was washable paint. Obviously, it wasn't. I would talk to the principal and express my concerns about the organization of this activity. As you said, it shouldn't have been a surprise to the organizers that there was cold weather in your area on Halloween. The mural should have been done in the gym...or with chalk or other nonstaining medium. I would ask the school to cover the cost of having the coat professionally cleaned.

Is this a common request? No. But, I've been in your shoes. My older son came home from school one day when he was in 2nd grade with permanant paint all over a new pair of pants. The teachers hadn't given the parents any notice that there was going to be painting that day. Should parents have to send their children in old clothing every day just in case a teacher wants to paint? No.

It is the job of teachers and others who plan activities to use common sense. Parents need to be warned ahead of time about potentially messy activities.

Good luck with this...I hope your local cleaner can help solve the problem!

I just cleaned out closets and sold a BUNCH of kids' coats and shoes on ebay. Several coats went for .99 and the highest seller was a brand new Lands End jacket that went for $15.xx. Similar prices are available at consignment stores and Good Will. When my girls were smaller and outgrew things frequently, people gave me hand-me-downs all the time for free -- and I passed on plenty of still-good clothes to others with smaller children.

When a play coat can be purchased literally for the cost of a soda, the vast majority of Americans can afford one.

This is exactly the response I was going to make to the othe two quotes. I don't think I would EVER send my child to school in a $60 coat in the first place. Kids get dirty at school. Mine comes home at leat once a week with her coat so dirty it has to be washed. Her school coats come from walmart or the trift store. The one she is wearing now was $4.99 at the thrift store, and I have never paid more than $20 for a school coat. I think you are right in that the vast majority of Americans can afford to replace a coat fairly easily at these prices. If I was the OP I would chalk it up to lesson learned and go to walmart for a replacement.

 

[Luv Bunnies]

A few people have suggested that teachers should send home notes to warn parents about messy activities before they happen. As a preschool aide, I think this would be very difficult. As a parent, I wouldn't expect it. We plan activities about a week ahead but things can change very rapidly. Sometimes we plan a project that we don't get to because of some unplanned event (a fire drill, etc.). Then we put it off for another day or maybe two. It would be very difficult for parents to know in advance exactly what we will be doing everyday because it's subject to change at a moment's notice. On any given day, we could be using paint, playdoh, glue or shaving cream. We're a special ed class so getting the kid's hands in goopy stuff is necessary for sensory experiences. Sometimes the speech therapist shows up with a messy project for the kids. She isn't required to tell us her plans in advance which would make it impossible for us to warn the parents.

The bottom line is that, especially for young kids, you should assume everyday will be a messy day. We do our best to keep clothes clean and always use painting smocks. But sometimes they wipe their hands under the smocks before we can catch them. There can be up to 4 kids painting at a time and one person monitoring them (the other adults are at centers with other kids). All of the paint we use says "washable" on the label but the truth is, it's not. I had to toss a white sweater that got splattered with black paint. I also have a pair of jeans with green paint on the knee. The paint spot has faded over the years but I can still find it after many, many washings.

It's unfortunate when clothes get ruined with paint or other things we use at school. But we always advise our parents to leave the nice clothes at home and expect that their child will be into something messy and fun everyday of the year.

 

[brenalexacamp]

Well, I feel for you- I would be mad too.
we got a letter from school that wed was art day and the kids get messy- they do wear smocks but sometimes their clothes do get stained. please wear something you don't care about or send in a crappy shirt specifically for this purpose.

we are talking about a coat though- she couldn't take it off or she would be cold.
you really cannot put a smock over a coat.

And talk about having a school coat to not really care about- that won't work-i wouldn't want to take my kid to school in a stained coat.

i think they should have let you know about the outside activity, the possibility of a mess, and let you dress/send in appropriate clothes.
they probably won't reimburse you but at least you will make a statement and they will think again when planning a messy activity.

she could have worn an old sweatshirt over and covered the coat.
I don

 

[hippiechicken]

WWYD- complain to the school? I know there are more serious issues in the world but this irks me that it was an inappropriate activity to do w/ the winter coats on.

I wouldn't complain to the school about this.
There are much bigger problems in schools than paint on a coat.