Wardrobe Wars

Have you ever had one of those mornings where your little one wants to wear nothing but sparkly princess gowns or superhero capes? While getting them to dress the way you want might be exasperating sometimes, the bright side is that this is a sign that your child is establishing their own identity and wants to express themselves through what they wear.

Finding the balance between your child’s creative picks and what’s appropriate might be tricky but not impossible and doesn’t have to lead to wardrobe wars. So when do you let your child start picking their own clothes? When they show an interest in it, start by slowly helping them pick from a limited number of choices first. Helping them get ready does not have to be a daily battle with these simple tips:

• Limit what’s available: Make sure to stock your child’s wardrobe with plenty of durable and appropriate clothes for all occasions.
• Offer them choices: Give your child a choice from the two or three outfits you select. This way the child still feels that the decision is theirs, and you are still making use of your favourite pieces.
• Bring back-up clothing: Going outdoors? A weather and activity appropriate back-up outfit might be a life saver when your child’s outfit pick doesn’t cut it.

Children start to worry about their image from a young age. They might want that expensive new accessory that is all the rage with their peers. Empathise with them and encourage them to save up and buy it with their own pocket money to help them appreciate its value. Getting to pick their own clothes gives children a sense of responsibility and autonomy. What if they have a favourite t shirt that they want to wear over and over again? Let them, as long as they follow basic ground rules – it should be clean and apt for the activity.

While shopping for clothes with your little one, get them to share their opinions on certain clothing pieces and let them know the reasoning behind your picks to help them understand what to look for in clothes. Nurture their budding sense of style and help them make smart clothing choices that will boost their confidence and self-esteem.