Battle over getting dressed

[ICompletelyKnowAboutGuineaPigs]

My DD is 3 on Monday. She is a very independent madam child and has been dressing herself for awhile now and I've been happy to let her choose her own clothes (with guidance from me about what's weather appropriate rather than colours etc). I'm fairly laid back and I don't mind if she chooses things that don't match which she frequently does but recently, maybe the past couple of weeks, she has become OBSESSED with short sleeves. She only wants to wear short sleeves and would happily wear shorts/skirt with bare legs if I'd let her. It's even got to the stage where she comments on other people's sleeve lengths (on TV and in person!

Not sure what to do because I'm all for children having some freedom to choose but it is freezing atm. Also, I generally feel the cold easily so always have lots of layers on, so I'm not sure whether I'm insisting on long sleeves because I want long sleeves sleeves and can't imagine wearing a t-shirt at the moment. Should I just trust that she knows how warm/cold she is and let her get on with it or should I enforce what I consider to be weather appropriate clothing (should say she will happily wear a coat and snowboots).

[Goldmandra]

My DD2 hates long sleeves with a passion and has done for years. She would rather be cold than have the sensation of wearing them.

At three your DD is old enough to ask for a coat or jumper if she feels cold so I'd go with the flow. I just always take layers out with us in case DD decides to see sense which she sometimes does.

Don't forget that children's activity levels keep them warmer anyway.

[ICompletelyKnowAboutGuineaPigs]

Thanks for your post. I think you're right, I need to go with the flow! I'm usually pretty good at this tbh but there's something about being cold which gets me stressed!

Wish I hadn't just bought DD loads of packs of long sleeved tops...better hope DC3 is a girl

[jelliebelly]

Ha! My dd is just the same - she is nearly 4 now and I've given up buying anything without her prior approval. It's just not worth the battle is it? Her latest is that she won't wear anything with buttons!

[Goldmandra]

My darling DD2 will also now only wear boys' clothes which means I cannot pass anything down from DD1 and I have to turn away all the lovely designer girls' clothes passed on to me by my lovely friend too. So DD2 basically wears boys' t shirts and camo trousers and will occasionally put a coat on. Grrr!

[CarpeJugulum]

Can you do a compromise?

With DS (2) who loves short sleeves, I bought a load of thin (and some thermal) long sleeve plain white/grey tops. He wears them with a short sleeve summer t-shirt over the top - then we're both happy.

[ICompletelyKnowAboutGuineaPigs]

at your DD Jellie. I'm going to have to start getting her to choose everything before I buy it too ... knew this stage would come, bug just didn't think it would be at 3 - dread to think what it will be like when she's older!

I think it would actually be easier if she would wear boys clothes because then she could have DSs.

Have also attempted the combined long sleeve/short sleeve compromise, to no avail unfortunately.

Considered buying a mini sewing machine today so DD can get some wear out of some of her clothes. Good to know I'm not alone with having wilfully warm children!

[Tgger]

Short sleeves/long sleeves don't really matter, but you have to have a jumper/cardy and a coat as well when you go outside . At school all the big kids are in short sleeved polos and then jumpers and coats .

[Pyrrah]

Let her wear what she wants - but take a coat/jumper/hat etc with you if you go out so all the nosy gits who decide to tell you off for letting your child out half-dressed can have a go at getting them on her themselves.

Can you tell I have BTDT!

[Bumpsadaisie]

This is common at this age - they get fixations about things. With my Dd it was a refusal to wear any kind of trousers!

Why don't you make a deal with her - she can wear short sleeves inside as much as she likes (with vest under she wont get too cold). Outside she has to wear her coat/jumper.