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3 year old extremely picky about what she wears

2 replies

LifeIsAnArt · 12/11/2020 09:10

As of about a month ago or possibly longer than that, my 3 year old DD started being really picky about the clothes she wears. She insists on wearing a skirt/ dress every day, and it can't be just any one, has to be very specific about which one. Same as tops etc. Half of her wardrobe she would just refuse to wear at all. We try and oblige to avoid a full meltdown, but sometimes it's just not reasonable, e.g. item she wants to wear is in the wash or too thick for the season/ day (she has eczema so we try to keep her on the cool side to avoid flare ups).

If she doesn't have it her way, she will just cry non stop and we're talking full melt downs. What a start to the morning...

Just to be clear that we're not vain people and try to explain to her that what one wears is not so important, most important thing is being happy etc. I also genuinely think that the tears and frustration are clothes related since as soon as she gets to wear what she wants, the tears stop and she's back to being her happy self.

Anyone has similar experiences with their DC? I know it's probably "just a phase" but it's lasted a while now. This morning she was at it for about half an hr until we gave in and let her wear a double layered skirt with trousers, which will really be too hot for her and not good for her skin. It's really getting on my nerves and don't fancy starting each day dealing with tantrums and meltdowns! Any tips??

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
SeaToSki · 12/11/2020 09:23

First of all it si age appropriate behavior, but that doesnt mean its not frustrating.

I would suggest you go through her drawers with a fine tooth comb and pull out everything that you dont want her to wear in the next two weeks (check the weather forecast) and bag it and hide it. Then at some point in the afternoon make a game of putting the remaining clothes together in outfits including underwear and socks. Then put each outfit together on a shelf or in the drawer, if you can out each one in its own bag or box even better. Then each morning she gets up and picks a bag/box. So she has some choice, but not enough to cause problems. Then when you do the washing she can help you put next weeks outfits together.
If you have weather issues, then she can draw and colour in some weather symbols that you stick on the outfits, so a sunny day outfit, a chilly day outfit and before she gets dressed in the morning, look at the online forecast with her and decide if its a sunny day or a chilly day, then she chooses and outfit from that category.

imamearcat · 12/11/2020 16:06

Yep, DD would only wear dresses for a VERY long time. Now DS will only wear items that have dinosaurs on them.🙈 I just go with it.

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