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Parenting

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Original poster

How can I make my toddler wear the trousers I want him to wear?

59 replies

Trinpy · 11/01/2019 17:39

He is tall and slim so it's hard finding trousers that fit him in length but aren't too big round the waist. After much searching I have found a couple of pairs like this, they're warm, comfortable, with a soft elasticated waistband. However, he refuses to wear them. The only trousers he wants to wear are either far too big round the waist so they're constantly falling down and he cant run around and play properly or they're far too short, which he then gets cross about .

I have tried bribery. I have tried hiding the trousers that don't fit him. I have tried giving him the choice between the 2 trousers which do fit him. I have tried just putting the trousers I want him to wear on him and distracting him/bundling him out of the house before he can take them off. All of these things results in a huge tantrum with kicking/hitting/biting screaming. Nice trousers get pulled off and thrown at the first opportunity.

What can I do? He's 2.9.

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Neighneigh · 11/01/2019 22:28

Dungarees?

Smile19 · 11/01/2019 22:30

Had a similar problem re: getting trousers that fit. Frugi worked for me and they do fun designs.

GummyGoddess · 11/01/2019 22:33

Mint cake club on Etsy will make you leggings to your child's measurements. They aren't super expensive considering that they are so stretchy that the 9-12 fits my 7 month old and will fit until about 18 months as they did dc1 (who is big for his age).

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Original poster

Trinpy · 11/01/2019 22:38

Thank you for the suggestions. I will look into all these suggestions.

OP posts:

Neolara · 11/01/2019 22:41

Tell him he's not allowed to wear those trousers. Definitely not. In fact he shouldn't even touch them. No, put them down. Doooown I tell you. No, no, don't put a leg in. Nooooooo! You are a very naughty boy - you've got tkose trousers on! Aaghhh, mummy is crying. Cue list of fake wailing.

Worked brilliantly on all my 3 for the seemingly endless contrary toddler years.

Sparklyboots · 11/01/2019 22:42

Braces are ace OP. As are dungarees. My DS needs leggings under most trousers, it's a sensory thing. He was fine with braces, but wouldn't wear a belt

HumpHumpWhale · 11/01/2019 22:49

Cut a slit in the waistband and thread elastic through. I do this wth all my son's trousers that aren't adjustable. He's now 5 and has a size 3-4 waist but needs size 6-7 or bigger for length, it's a pain. He's just so tall and snake hipped.

TuckMyWin · 11/01/2019 22:49

He only wears jogging bottoms. No jeans or trousers, so there's no little button on the inside to tighten them up.

Vertbaudet do joggers with the internal adjusters. They're also very good for skinny boys as they do different fits - narrow being one of them. And they have an almost constant sale on, so pretty reasonable.

BillywilliamV · 11/01/2019 22:52

He’s just a baby, his clothes don’t have to fit, he’s not going for a job interview! Let him wear what he likes. My DD wore nothing but a Disney Princess dressing up dress for 6 months, it literally fell off her . They grow out of it.

Redcliff · 11/01/2019 23:09

Billy - if they keep falling down and he can't play and run it does matter if they don't fit.

AlphaJuno · 11/01/2019 23:18

Got no suggestions as my ds has always been stubborn and will only do things when HE wants to but I remember he went through a couple of years where he refused to wear shorts in the summer. Even when it was really hot. I know other boys who will only wear shorts. Even when it's cold 🤣. With my ds I just have to leave it and eventually he comes round of his own accord.

Passthepigs · 11/01/2019 23:25

I have the same problem worn DS who is 2 and 3 months.

I buy Next skinny joggers in 12-18 months that although are too short I can pull the drawstring and they stay up! I also put him in girls navy leggings a lot. Primark do chino trainers with buttons inside to tighten the waistband too.

My issue st the minute is how to get him to wear anything other than a Mickey Mouse PJ top he has become obsessed with!

gamerchick · 11/01/2019 23:32

It sounds like it's sensory OP. It doesn't have to be a part of any SN. Some people don't like materials.

I for eg like loose fitting bottoms and absolutely no fleece lined and my middle son NT was the same. Fleece lined makes them feel too warm and bulky, itchy even.

My youngest with SN just prefers slim fit legged bottoms so they cling but definitely not fleecy lined or shorts.

I fold the waistband over an elastic belt

This is what I would do in your shoes ^^

Original poster

Trinpy · 12/01/2019 11:43

Well the reverse psychology thing didn't work. Ds was very happy to hear that another little boy really wanted his 'special' trousers and even neatly folded them up ready for this fictional child to collect . He very happily agreed to not go near them again.

On my way to the shops now to look for a dinosaur patch!

OP posts:

GinIsIn · 12/01/2019 14:58

We have abandoned joggers as they just don’t stay up. He has soft cotton stretch jeans from M&S, which have internal adjusters to make them fit, and dungarees.

For nursery, I buy girls leggings in black and navy.

ChariotsofFish · 12/01/2019 15:09

My 2 year-old dd has a similar trouser falling down problem. she mostly wears dress with tights, but we find the JoJo leggings (especially the extra thick ones) work well. They look loose on the waist, but something about the fit around the bottom means they don’t fall down.

Wotev · 12/01/2019 15:10

Just put them on him for God's sake. Much ado about nothing.

megletthesecond · 12/01/2019 15:14

He won't get hypothermia in shorts. If he will wear socks and a warm fleece or coat he should be ok. If it's a battle that isn't worth winning then chalk it up to experience and let him wear shorts.

My 10yr old is still in shorts for school and weekends.

ChariotsofFish · 12/01/2019 15:17

wotev, has it been a while since you’ve had a nearly three year-old? You can get them on and then they take them off. I can still get away with it with my just turn 2 year-old as there are only a few things she can get off by herself. My DS spent most of the year around three half naked.

cantkeepawayforever · 12/01/2019 15:27

Is the elasticated waistband single later or folded over? If they are folded over, make a small hole in the seam, and thread elastic (as wide as you can get so it doesn't dig in) through the tube of the waistband. Tack the two ends together to make a loop that is just very slightly tighter than they are currently.

Then the next day, pull the tacked ends back through the hole you have made, undo and tack them together to make a very slightly smaller loop.

Repeat until the elastic loop is the right size. secure the ends properly, sew the hole in the seam back up.

Or, if you can get hold of button elastic, that saves the tacking BUT it gives a button which can be felt by the wearer...which may not be what you want....

Apileofballyhoo · 12/01/2019 15:37

I wonder what he doesn't like about the new trousers. Could it be the fleece lining he doesn't like?

slappinthebass · 13/01/2019 01:36

2 suggestions. Leggings, or braces. Loads of Instagram sellers/Etsy sellers have amazing unisex leggings in every imaginable fabric to choose from. You could certainly let him pick out his own fabrics and know they will fit.

BertieBotts · 13/01/2019 01:43

What about letting him wear the bad ones and when he complains about them falling down say oh dear, we'll have to get some that fit, and then show him the tighter ones fit?

If he doesn't like the feeling of a waistband at all I agree dungarees are your best bet. Sometimes they do that - you buy all clothes in a particular style they like and then they change their mind!

TheCuddlyOctopus · 14/01/2019 08:19

Was also going to suggest leggings or tights. Dd1 is tall and slim and some Scandinavian brands fit well- nameit are good.

Lovewinemorethanhusband · 14/01/2019 08:25

When my son was like this I had to remove all the other trousers from his wardrobe and drawers other than the ones that actually fitted properly , he had a meltdown but was desperate to go out so gave in an put a different pair on. He's 6 now and still a skinny mini with extremely skinny legs so can only wear either next or m&s super skinny but he's good with trying on and realising if they are to big

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