Every year we head over to our elementary school for their annual open house. This is a time when the parents and the kids get to see their new class rooms and meet their new teacher. Each year we do this, I make sure that our kids dress up in nice clothes (not church clothes) but nice clothes, to meet their new teacher. Every year the kids complain about having to look nice to go to school for the first time. My requirements are, no flip flops, not tee shirts, no shorts. They are to wear a collared shirt, long pants without holes and shoes. Girls should wear a skirt. All I get is griping, gowning, and complaining. HOWEVER, when we arrive at the school, they are all looking nice and presentable. I follow the same rules and wear a collared shirt, nice pants and a suit jacket.
My Sister Rachael taught me this important lesson one year while picking her brain about life. She mentioned that every time she went to the school to meet with a teacher or an administrator, she always dressed up in her nicest outfit and if she could, she would wear a suit. She found that the administrator and the teachers would treat her much different just based on how she dressed. I totally believe it so now, when I go to the school, I always try to dress up.
So, to round out this blog post, I was shocked at how many of the parents and kids were dressed when attending the "open house" at our elementary school. Parents were wearing flip flops, tee shirts, grungy shorts, tank tops. It was amazing. The kids were dressed the same, sloppy, and slouchy.
First impressions do matter. I'm going to hold to my standard of always dressing up to go to school.
