40 minute tantrums when getting dressed, any ideas anyone?

[darcymum]

My youngest DD, just turned two hates getting dressed in the morning. I have tried letting her choose her clothes, negotiating, bribery, the lot. It just seems to prolong it until I still have to wrestle her clothes on then have 40 minutes of crying and trying to pull her clothes off.

She does have one dress she will happily put on but it is a summer dress and she won't wear a vest underneath.

Anyway, this is mine and DH's plan- We will tell her we are going to get her dressed, we choose her clothes and just put (fight) them straight on her, no negotiation, then just ignore her tantrum. Not look or speak to her until she stops.

Anyone else get any better ideas or advice?

[RiverOfSleep]

If you have tried everything else I would just leave her without any clothes on. Theres no point having a massive battle over it.

My DD told me this morning she wasn't getting dressed so I calmly told her she could go to preschool naked and I'd put her clothes in a bag to take for later.

She then started talking about why she didn't want to go to preschool and as I listened I held out her clothes for her to step into.

[darcymum]

She doesn't go to pre school, she's only just turned two. We have tried to bribe her with other things though. I could just leave her without clothes at home, but I can't do that when we go out.

[ttalloo]

darcymum, I second your plan - she needs to get dressed, whether you are going out or not. Put her in the easiest thing you can find so you aren't having to fiddle with buttons and get it over and done with as soon as you can.

I have a similar problem with DS2 (who's nearly two) at the moment, who screams blue murder every time I change his nappy. As far as I'm concerned, changing a stinky nappy is, like getting dressed, non-negotiable, so I dodge the flailing limbs, ignore the howling and get on with it.

[Highlander]

it's a phase; they all do it at that age. it may go on for 6-12 months, again that's normal so don't get disheartened.

Don't make a fuss. Shower, breakfast, do your thing while periodically asking (firmly but calmly) if she's ready to get dressed.

By staying with her and fussing you're actually giving her the attention she wants and fuelling the tantrum.

Let her wear what she wants, or do the controlled choice thing.

When she does calm down, don't make a fuss, just accept that's it's over and give her a quiet cuddle.

My DSs both did this, DS1 less so. I do wonder if morning tantrums are linked to low blood sugar - I'd be intrigued if some morning milk would help?