Is this a sensory issue or usual behaviour for a 3-4 year old

[Combustablecustard]

Hi

Dd has just turned 4 and for the past 9 months or so has been a bit of a nightmare when it comes to getting dressed. Its only really with her feet- socks need to be pulled up as high as they can go and she gets really funny about seams on tights over her toes. She also can be a bit funny about leggings sometimes. Its not all of the time- some socks I have spent ages battling with her to put on (ending up with her point blank refusing) but then shes worn them other times. I wouldnt say there are sensory issues anywhere else with her and we cant work out if this is "usual" toddler behaviour (and her being a particularly strong willed girl) or if there is possibly something else underlying. Preschool have never raised any concerns. She is fine before getting dressed and it generally turns into an absolute battle with her putting socks on and taking them off about 4-5 times, insisting they are wrong, me getting more and more hysterical and losing my shit as I rapidly lose the will to live. BUT it doesnt happen all the time- ots definitely worse with us at home than when she gets dressed at grandparents house. Shes our first so we havent anything to compare it with....any guidance would be much appreciated!!

If this is the only area of concern then I’d probably suggest it’s toddler behaviour rather than anything else. Keep an eye on the situation and see if anything else pops up before you get too worried. Toddlers can be picky blighters! Just go with it for now to keep the peace.
My ds has sensory issues and has complained before that having a haircut is physically painful and we always check before giving him a hug as he’s so sensitive. He’s also the noisiest bugger on the planet while complaining that everything else is too noisy he’s 11 now though so he’s had these issues for a long time.

You can buy seamless socks. My niece was like this and is a teenager now. She is definitely NT.

Dd needs socks to be perfect. Exactly right size and pulled up. Anything off and she goes nuts. No
other issues. She’s three and I think it does with the age.

Goes

Toddlers are like little scientists, they experiment to see if reaction follows action. She's seen that she can easily wind you up with her sock trick, so she does it frequently, to test if her results are consistent.

Try to be as bland about it as possible, it's boring to you now. Even tell her that. You're bored talking about socks, you'd rather do something else, walk off and let her get the socks on herself.

I have a very pernickety dc and being boring about such issues is the best way forward, I've found. If it's a big deal to the child, that's fine, it's it's big deal. But I dont have to play along, just let them get on with it.

Thanks all.

I do think it is just an age thing but there have been a few more meltdowns lately and I was starting to question myself and my judgement with it!

Will definitely be looking up seamless socks....although I suspect that just might move it to a different battleground rather than solve the problem!!

Mine is same age and like this with socks she screams blue murder if the seam is in the wrong place. She also gets upset sometimes if her arms or legs are exposed but she's not so bad now. It can sometimes be a fight getting her in shorts and t-shirt when it's warm and she will often put a cardigan or jumper on top. I don't know what to think so I'll be following this thread.

My DD was like this around age 3, if socks were put on incorrectly she'd go nuts, she seems to be less fussy now (4) although they have to be pulled up as high as possible and she's banned DH from helping her because he gets them "wrong"!

I have a 4 year old and can relate to having a strong-willed girl. She's also our first born so it is a learning curve. I've found ankle socks to be the solution, seems to have done the trick for now at least.

It sounds normal to me. My eldest is 11 and has ASD with sensory issues. My youngest is 4 and does not have ASD.