That's not cool enough

[PrincessFiona]

I don't know what is going on with my 4 year old...nothing is "cool" enough for him to wear anymore....I've never heard of such a thing in a preschooler. For the last two weeks, he insists on dressing himself in clothes that are....not appropriate for the weather.....He will ONLY wear long pants, a t-shirt and then a long-sleeved plaid shirt...left unbuttoned so that everyone can see the logo on his t-shirt He has only been wearing his spider man t-shirt (he has 5)...This morning he had a dentist appointment and I helped him into shorts, spidey shirt/spidey undies/spidey shoes...and he went upstairs and completely changed his clothes before we left We ended up being 10 minutes late to his appt. ~sigh~ Last night before dinner I had to change his clothes because he was filthy...and he sat at the table and sobbed and wouldn't eat because his pants "weren't cool enough". Thomas finally relented and took him upstairs and he and his spider man doll picked out pants that were "cool enough".

AAAAGGGGGHHHHHHH!

kris

[SueC]

That's cute! My daughter (3.5) is just about equally conscientious about what she wears. She often changes clothes several times a day. I've pretty much given up, although when it comes to seasonally inappropriate clothes I draw the line if she wants to wear a heavy sweter or something in 90 degree weather. I put most of that stuff out of sight to avoid any battles. Her 2 year old sister is starting to do this, too. Although, in our case she doesn't really have the concept of whether her outfit is "cool" or not. She does have her own sense of style, though, which doesn't necessarily always match!

[mommax3]

My middle son did this also, starting when he was about 3 1/4. He would not wear anything that didn't look like his older brother's clothes, which meant no Health-Tex, Osh-Kosh, Carters, or other coordinate-type clothes. This ruled out most of the hand-me-down stuff I had from his older brother, which stunk.

My eight year old, on the other hand, has almost never expressed an opinion about clothes in his life. Before my middle one started doing this, I thought having clothes preferences was something only girls did. Every kid is different!

Sally

[Rapunzel]

Oh my goodness! I think if any of my kids start that kind of stuff up they would get an earful from their dad on living in a tent with five brothers and sharing a few pair of underwear between all of them, not to mention socks being so rare that they were Christmas gifts, and literally not owning toys as a child. Oh boy, I'll feel so sorry for my kids if they ever start complaining about their clothes.... (At least my husband didn't walk to school in the snow up hill, both ways ).

Jennifer

In the morning, Bryn has been telling me that it is NOT summer time and that she is cold. And she wants to wear leggings and long sleeve shirts (her winter uniform). I've settled on the following two tactics:
1. As long as she won't overheat and be *totally* miserable, thus making everyone else miserable, I let her wear it. And I hope that she gets a little uncomfortable so that she remembers it for next time. Summer camp preschool is perfect for this -- and I usually take along a change of clothes for her. They play on a shady playground during the morning and afternoon when it isn't scorching hot -- but certainly too hot to be comfortable in pants.

2. Before we leave the house, I make a big deal out of getting dressed. Hmmm....should I wear a dress today or shorts? She usually chimes in, let's wear dresses today! And we both do (and she changes her clothes). This strategy probably won't work as well for boys!

And....you're lucky they keep their clothes ON! By late afternoon, Bryn is keenly aware that it is summer time and strips down naked as a jaybird. And it's not easy to get clothes back on. We have explained repeatedly that one cannot dine at a restaurant while naked. 8O (I know, we're so mean ).

[PrincessFiona]

funny

It's funny...Andrew (age 8) can't pick out matching shorts/t-shirt. Yesterday, he picked out green checkered shorts and an orange and yellow striped t-shirt....Amanda (age 7) tends to like to mix and match her outfits and try out new things....but Alex has never really been that into things like that.

We're not slaves to fashion around here....and I am probably the poster child for frumpy mom of the year so I have no idea where he is coming up with this.

We do let them pick their own clothes out when we buy them though....they got their summer duds at Wal-Mart....and while my oldest grabbed the first 5 t-shirts off the rack in his size, Alex DID painstakingly search through every spiderman t-shirt to find 5 different ones. Amanda is really easy to shop for..and she is as big of a sale guru as I am...so she always heads for the red clearance signs......


We're not big spenders on clothes, don't get me wrong...we'll have some disappointed teens if they get into designer brands....but I'm just shocked at Alex's sudden interest in 'coolness'. I wonder if this had anything to do with the kids that were at our house for the last two weeks???? He was trying so hard to have the older two boys play with him. The only child his age was a little girl...and Alex just really isn't into playing barbie dolls....maybe this is sort of a take-off on his trying to be 'older'?

kris

[PrincessFiona]

nakies

And it's not easy to get clothes back on. We have explained repeatedly that one cannot dine at a restaurant while naked. (I know, we're so mean ).

Crack me up!

[mommax3]

I think you are right, Kris, it isn't really about the clothes, it is about acceptance. Joel (my middle kid) will do anything to be accepted by his big brother, and Luke is not mean to him at all, but they ARE three years apart and that is a significant difference at this age. I humor him as much as possible, but when push comes to shove, I tell him you can wear this outfit, or this outfit --- END of discussion. We got all our summer stuff at Wal-Mart this year, too. My boys have been living in mesh tank tops and shorts. I love that store.

Sally

[HeartRN]

Hee hee--everything I have to look forward to with our first child when I read these posts! My sister has 4 kids (3 little boys, the oldest is a girl). Last summer then two littlest boys (I call them the red-headed monsters!) refused to wear anything but turtle necks in Lake of the Ozarks heat! She let it go and they finally quit when they were blazing. Just had to share that.......Good luck!

[BonBon]

Hee hee--everything I have to look forward to with our first child when I read these posts! Good luck!

I hear you! This thread is cracking me up!

[Phoebe]

I found this to be an interesting thread. I can understand an older child becoming more conscious of what they wear. I am wondering what kinds of behavior the younger kids (2 or 3) display. My 22 month-old is pretty oblivious to what she is wearing unless something is uncomfortable. I often give her choices between two outfits, but she could care less. When and how have your toddlers started showing preferences or a certain interest in their appearance? Is my child going to lack a fashion sense like me or is she just too young to care?

Jennifer

[SueC]

Jennifer,
I'd just enjoy it while it lasts! When I take my girls out in public sometimes I'm a little embarassed because of the ridiculous outfits they have chosen. My oldest daughter gets very attached to certain pieces of clothing and wears them any chance she gets. I see other little girls with darling outfits and their hair fixed really cute--my girls will only wear barrettes in their hair for church (I make them!) and the rest of the time they look a little scraggly! Oh well, what they wear is a battle I'm usually not willing to fight!

[Rapunzel]

I found this to be an interesting thread. I can understand an older child becoming more conscious of what they wear. I am wondering what kinds of behavior the younger kids (2 or 3) display. My 22 month-old is pretty oblivious to what she is wearing unless something is uncomfortable. I often give her choices between two outfits, but she could care less. When and how have your toddlers started showing preferences or a certain interest in their appearance? Is my child going to lack a fashion sense like me or is she just too young to care?

Jennifer

Well, so far I have not had this problem. My children are not really exposed to peer pressure situations and don't have a desire to "fit in". They are given the opportunity to dress themselves (with guidance when younger) and they seem to make appropriate decisions based on the season and the weather when they look out the window. It is quite possible you will never encounter this issue either.

Jennifer

When and how have your toddlers started showing preferences or a certain interest in their appearance? Is my child going to lack a fashion sense like me or is she just too young to care?

I think Bryn started showing a preference around two. But I wouldn't really call it "fashion sense". A few days ago she insisted on wearing a grubby 4th of july t-shirt and black tights -- and that's all! I finally got her to put a pair of shorts on over the tights (with the threat of not leaving the house until she was properly dressed). She also picks favorite items she wants to wear all the time -- like a specific pair of pajamas every night -- for weeks on end.
I think that clothing preference is just one of the ways that toddlers express their independence.

[SueC]

Yep, I agree Nellie.
Maya doesn't seem to get her "fashion sense" from anyone--I swear she doesn't get it from me! I think there are a few things in her wardrobe she just feels good in and wants to wear them constantly. Her little sister has a few pair of "silky" pajamas (they aren't silk but they kind of have that texture) and she always wants to wear them.