2yr old refusing to wear a coat, any tips?

[KittenCamile]

My 2.3yr old DS has refused to wear a coat for the last 2 weeks. It’s been fine, he will wear a body warmer but it’s getting colder/wetter and he is going to need to wear one soon.

Any tips? How do I do this without a huge breakdown?

I’m sure it’s a control thing/normal toddler randomness and I’m happy to choose my battles but I don’t want him cold and wet.
Thank you

[FizzingWhizzbee123]

Mine’s doing exactly the same. I’ve decided not to fight him on it and to let him learn the natural consequences now (in autumn, before it gets really good). I take a backpack with his coat and hat on but otherwise if he doesn’t want to wear and coat, then he’ll get cold and possibly wet. Obviously this is easier to implement if you’re going to a local park where you can go home and get changed and warm up after, rather than a full day out. It’s only really been cold enough the last two days, so haven’t seen how well this will work out long term..... but I figure he’ll soon learn that being cold isn’t nice.

We had the same issue going into summer, where he refused shorts and t shirts 🙄

[FizzingWhizzbee123]

*really cold, not really good

[corythatwas]

I grew up in a seriously cold place where not being properly dressed in winter might actually mean you died or lost limbs to frostbite- so I would have no qualms about fighting a child on this. As long as you do it cheerfully and calmly it does them no harm. They get angry, you don't.

At the same time, the British climate (if that is where you're based) is unlikely to have that result, so if the results won't be too miserable, I might be inclined to go for the let-him--learn approach.

[Hartleyhare1206]

We have a race. I get both of our coats ready and shout ready steady go! Then keep shouting “I’m going to win!” But obviously put mine on really slowly so DD actually wins. She likes the game, and it diffuses the tension and arguments.

[mirandatempest]

My DD is same and has been since 2.5. I let her choose with no drama, and if she's cold she asks for her coat. I'm a bit stricter about trousers, tights etc.

[KittenCamile]

Thank you for the ideas, he is currently willing to wear a coat as a cape (he loves super hero’s) just won’t put his arms in.

Yes in the uk so am no chance of frost bite yet! Will try the coat race and if not think I will just have to wait till he asks for it. I couldn’t force him plus he would only take it straight off again anyway so pointless.

Am trying to layer his clothes but he just seems to want to wear the least amount possible, I think he loved spending most of the summer in just a nappy/pants and isn’t accepting it’s not summer anymore 😁