When you notice that your child has become vocal about their wardrobe, it is a sign that they are growing up. Kids as young as three years old have an opinion on their wardrobe. Preschoolers are at a stage where they want to show their independence and test limits. It is an opportunity to put both things into practice. However, it does not mean that each morning has to be a showdown. As a parent, how do you deal with kids who want to decide on what to wear? Here are a few tips for you.
Give choices
A lot of young children are constantly trying to grasp for control wherever they can. And it is best to let them have it. Give your child enough choices about things that do not matter to you. Let them consider all the options, compare them, and make a decision. Ask them if they would like to wear a red sweater or the blue one. When the child feels like they have a say, they are less likely to throw tantrums.
Allow taste
If you are someone who does not like wool and cannot stand the tight tank tops, your kid will also have his or her likes and dislikes. You need to keep in mind that their choices will be very different from yours. Try to be flexible with their preferences. It is good to avoid things that your child does not like. It shows that you respect their opinion. There are easy fixes for some pet peeves like cutting off the irritating shirt tags or letting her wear dresses every day. If you are worried about the cold, you can layer warm leggings.
Let them practice
By the age of 3, a lot of children can manage the basics of getting dressed like wearing a sweatshirt or pulling on underwear. A lot of kids enjoy doing these things. It gives them confidence. Let your children dress themselves as often as you can. Start on weekend mornings so there is no rush and less struggle. Let them choose their favorite tween girls clothes and put them on. The more the power to dress, the easier it will be for you.
Time it
Children are in no urgency to get out of the door in the morning. They would rather play or watch television than get dressed. You can turn dressing into a fun game. Tell them you have a timer on and you are going to see who takes longer to get dressed. Set a timer for ten minutes and reward your child if he gets ready before the buzzer goes off.
Plan in advance
Children like to look at their photos and you can use it to your advantage by building a picture guide of their morning activities. Show them waking up, brushing the teeth, eating breakfast, and getting ready. Place it in the room so your kids can follow it daily. This chart will soon become the boss instead of you. Help your child choose an outfit the night before so there is no harried search in the morning. Plan whenever possible and set the outfit aside for the next morning.
Chill about coats
All children go through the winter coat struggle. They are not cold inside and are not willing to put on the jacket to cover the perfect outfit. You know that they will feel different outside. But do not sweat the situation unless it is freezing. Carry the coat and let the child be. If they feel cold, they will ask you for it. Eventually, the child will welcome the gloves and coats before the fingers go numb.
Build a routine
If your child can choose what to wear and how to wear it, you need to teach them to look after their clothes as well. Create a routine where your child gets back from school and changes the clothes. Kids often have a habit of throwing away clothes on the floor. You need to teach them to put worn clothes in the laundry bag and wear fresh ones. If you notice a stain on any clothing, you need to fix it immediately.
As children grow up, their preferences and expectations are going to change. It is natural for kids to outgrow the things they liked when they were young. You need to accept it and embrace it. Support your child in the decisions they make and encourage them to be confident in their skin. There will soon come a time when your little one will also make decisions on what to buy for his or her wardrobe and the best you can do is help them make a choice. Give them choices and let them be proud of what they choose to wear.
