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Original poster

Toddler refusing granny's lovingly hand-knitted jumper

33 replies

HJBeans · 21/03/2015 07:16

Our DS (19m) has never shown any emotion and barely any preference over what he wears. Until my mother-in-law spent a lot of her visit finishing off an intricate knitted vest, which he absolutely refuses to wear. We don't want to force him to wear things he doesn't like, but would love him to wear it at Easter as it would make my MIL so happy. Any tips?

Details: He complained putting it on the first time - which he sometimes does with jumpers to resist getting ready to leave - but then kept ripping at it and crying, so we took it off. He wore it without complaint the next day when he was excited about going out and we stuck it on last thing before leaving. But in the following weeks every time we try to put it on, he goes ballistic. It took her weeks to make and it's the only piece of clothing he's ever refused. :-(

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liveloveluggage · 21/03/2015 07:18

Maybe its itchy, is it made of real wool? I am allergic to wool, it itches me like crazy.

kelda · 21/03/2015 07:22

As liveloveluggage says, it's probably itchy. My ds had mild eczema and the doctor told us not to have anything made of wool, and especially not synthetic wool.

Her intentions were good but it's a bit silly to bother knitting anything for a toddler.

SanityClause · 21/03/2015 07:22

Is it wool? Is he allergic to it? DH and DD1 can't wear wool too close to their bodies, or have woollen blankets. It's not life threatening for them, but brings out a rash and shortness of breath.

Is that a possibility? Because children don't tend to wear woolly jumpers these days, so it may be his first woollen thing.

So sad, though, if he can't wear it, because it sounds like she's a lovely MIL and DGM, and it would be lovely if he could wear it for her to see. Maybe he could be bribed to wear it for a few minutes, hen take it off, because he's "too hot"?

TendonQueen · 21/03/2015 07:23

First off, bribe him with something to put it on just for a minute and then take a photo. Then if all else fails, you can put the photo up and/or give her a copy as evidence of how treasured it is. You could also say 'He's been wearing it happily, look! But now he's just gone off it for a bit. Kids, eh?'

bakingaddict · 21/03/2015 07:23

My MIL has knitted loads of jumpers for my kids, the vast majority of them the kids refuse to wear but she still persists in doing it. She only uses good quality natural wool but I think the jumpers are just too thick, bulky and scratchy than a normal jumper.

Ooooooooh · 21/03/2015 07:25

Take a photo of him in it for mil. Then put it in the bottom of his drawer and forget about it

Ooooooooh · 21/03/2015 07:26

I'd probably bribe him with a fredo to get A photo of him in the jumper

SanityClause · 21/03/2015 07:29

Ha! Ooooooooooh, if the OP gives me a Freddo, I'll wear it! Grin

liveloveluggage · 21/03/2015 08:21

If he is sensitive to wool and mil is likely to knit for him again I would tell her, in nice way, as she can get a wool free type of yarn.

SomedayMyPrinceWillCome · 21/03/2015 08:24

My son is exactly the same. He will decide he doesn't like something & then point blank refuse to wear it. So no advise but a sympathetic hand hold!

Lagoonablue · 21/03/2015 08:26

I love kids hand knitted jumpers but my 2 won't wear them either. Sell on eBay there is a big market for them.

LionWings · 21/03/2015 08:32

It might fit next year - or next baby Wink

My DS refused to wear anything sleeveless last year so it could be that.

Original poster
HJBeans · 21/03/2015 08:35

Thanks, all. Don't think it's wool and pretty sure it's not how it feels on. It's much softer than his other two wool jumpers, which he happily choses over the cotton one he has. It seems he hates it in itself - he started treating it like a veritable hairshirt before it got anywhere near him.

My psychobabble theory is that he saw her poring over it for days and associates it with something that's very emotive for her. He's not spent loads of time with her as she lives far away but she's very keen to be very close to him when she visits - could there be a sense of pressure to be close to someone he doesn't really know? And he has been babysat a few times by her so maybe has a bad association of us being away? Or this is all bollocks as he's only 19m old and he just hates the jumper.

To add insult to injury, his other well-loved jumpers are all store-bought items from his other granny. Hmm

We do have one photo from the time he wore it, though she was still here then so it's no proof of additional use. Maybe I'll try the bribery tack. Or desensitising him by sticking it in him as a prerequisite to things he really wants to do: "Want to go to the zoo? Let's stick on your new jumper!"

If all else fails, I'll take SanityClaus up on her offer. Smile

OP posts:
calilark · 21/03/2015 08:35

my mum has knitted lots for DD and the only items she has worn have been made from a thin & silky kind of yarn. The proper wool stuff is just too thick & heavy & hot, she finds it very restrictive. plus it has been a little warmer these last few days so perhaps he has found it too hot?

Original poster
HJBeans · 21/03/2015 08:37

Oh no, I meant sticking him in it*! Shock

OP posts:
UnexpectedItemInShaggingArea · 21/03/2015 08:52

In my experience this is one of those things that you will realise is completely unimportant in a few years time. Don't force him to wear something he hates. His GM should be adult enough to understand random behaviour from tiny children.

Seriously, save the bribes for stuff that really matters.

CaTsMaMmA · 21/03/2015 09:03

maybe it's a textural thing...i crochet and knit and sometime yarn just feels scritchy and weird, so I put that back on the shelf

I'd certainly put the lid on your theorys! All a bit over wrought and over worked imo! Children often take random fancies and dislikes, there's rarely anything deep or sinister behind them.

As far as MIL is concerned could you get her to knit other things...hats, mittens, scarves...toys even? A nice blanket?

Original poster
HJBeans · 21/03/2015 09:19

Okey-doke. Suspect unexpected and cats speak the truth and this is one to let go.

Have just overheard an unsuccessful negotiation between my DH and DS in which even up against the prospect of going on a bus (DS's favourite activity) DS was steadfast in refusing the jumper. It's going in the drawer now - sorry, Granny.

OP posts:
CaTsMaMmA · 21/03/2015 09:24

leave it in the drawer and once he can dress himself you'll probably find him wearing it in bed with wellies and jammas and looking like a boiled pixie

in five years time :o

LionWings · 21/03/2015 09:36

Welcome to the world of toddlerhood Smile. He now realises its important to you. It's getting him a lot of attention.

All I'm saying is when he starts refusing foods, show no emotion and stand steadfast.

Original poster
HJBeans · 21/03/2015 09:36

Smile and then I will take a lovely photo for DMIL.

OP posts:
Original poster
HJBeans · 21/03/2015 09:40

Yes, lion, you're absolutely right. He's just started refusing food without trying it in the last few weeks. We ask him to try a bite, which he'll do with a hugely dramatic grimace, and then ignore it. Often when he thinks we're not watching he'll start gobbling it down. Cheeky little man.

OP posts:
AlternativeTentacles · 21/03/2015 09:42

Try not allowing him to wear it. No DS - you can't wear that today, you can't get it dirty, not at all. Wink

AlternativeTentacles · 21/03/2015 09:42

No DS - you can't have that food - it's for the grown ups and big boys. Maybe when you are older.

MinceSpy · 21/03/2015 09:58

When you say 'vest' is it a knitted article worn next to his skin?