Why, oh why can’t my kids JUST GET DRESSED in the mornings?
Today, Samantha wanted to wear a cute little summer romper with an American flag pattern. I told her I understood that she loves that outfit, but it’s just too cold and rainy today. I even calmly suggested she wait until later in the week, when it might be at least a little warmer.
I got hit with anger. Tears. Steadfast refusal to get dressed.
Even after we compromised — she could wear the romper underneath her other clothes — she still pushed the defiance by putting on the shirt, the socks and the shoes. No pants.
AAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH!
I’ve previously talked about Noah’s fashion demands and routines that we go. Right now, he either wants to be naked or wants to change his clothes two or three times a day.
This morning, he went through the same cycle as Sam: Anger, tears, steadfast refusal.
Do you know how hard it is to dress a 29-pound twisting/turning/screaming Tasmanian devil?
How do you handle this? What tactics have you used that work? Am I the only one who has threatened to send her 7-year-old to school in her underwear?
The story goes that my cousin refused to get dressed in time for school, so my aunt sent him off with no shoes.
From then on, Larry put on his shoes and was ready to go for school.
Now, this was circa 1980, so maybe the teachers frown about such things these days. But back then, it was effective.
Or so my mother tells me.
If it’s semi-reasonable I just don’t fight it anymore. If it’s an outfit they absolutely cannot wear it is stored in the attic, in a box under my bed- wherever they won’t find it!
Today I was putting my 5 year old in two different shoes until she remembered where her only matching pair was.
With my 2 year old, if he’s in a mood I work with his favorites- the dino shirt, truck shorts…I don’t even care if it doesn’t match.
Although my children are grown and I have this problem no longer, a neighbor and I were talking about little girls getting ready for school. I thought she handled it brilliantly. Before her daughter gets ready for bed, my neighbor picks out three outfits for her daughter to choose from for school the next day. Then, her daughter has 20 minutes to decide on which one she wants to wear. If her daughter hasn’t made up her mind in 20 minutes, SHE selects the outfit to wear the next day. After her daughter “couldn’t decide” a couple of times and seeing her mom pick out the outfit, and not backing down on her choice, my neighbor said that getting ready for school was not a problem any longer.
Do want to tell you how much I enjoy your column on Sundays. Often it brings back memories. Often I cut it out for my own daughter. Hope to see you in print for many more years.
Excellent tip, Carolyn. I think I’m going to have to try that. And thanks so much for reading!
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