Toddler and my clothes

[Whatonearth3]

Hi everyone,

My 2.5 year old over the last month or two has started having issues with things that I wear. The thing he hates most is my dressing gown! Whenever I put it on he cries and shouts at me to take it off, if I don’t he tried to physically pull it off me. He did it yesterday with a top I was wearing too. When I ask him why I can’t wear it, he doesn’t have an answer he just gets upset and repeats for me to take it off.

Has anyone else experienced this? And ideas how I can get him to stop? It’s so strange and I’d really like to be able to wear my dressing gown in the mornings.

Thanks!

How strange! Do the items have anything in common?

Could it be a texture thing and he doesn't like certain fabrics when you're holding him. Will he touch the items? Is he otherwise very sensitive or does he have other sensory difficulties? Could he be associating the items with unpleasant experiences? Are there parts of the morning routine he struggles with and he's linking this to your dressing gown?

Ruling out all of that, he may just be channelling his inner tiny toddler dictator

Does he associate those items of clothing with something negative? Maybe the dressing gown signifies to him that you're not going to go out and do something he enjoys (go to nursery, park etc) or that you're about to put him to bed? Is the t-shirt he didn't like one that slob around in in the house?

I'd guess it's just him wanting control, pretty standard at this age.

Sometimes my toddler tells me to take my hair out of a bun or to stop wearing a certain coat.

Just a phase!

Agree with this. DS’ weird preferences are all about control.

My son turned 2 in June and for last few months he does exactly the same thing. Hates my dressing gown, screams at me to "open" and he then opens it, if I don't. He did it once with a fleece but its every morning with my dressing gown.

I've come to think it's because it's too bulky and he can't see or tuck himself into my body easy, once it's open he wants to cuddle.

Maybe he sees it as a barrier between him and me. It's very confusing and strange.

Did your situation get better?