Last week I posted about Clothing Tips for Winter Fun and I had a reader comment about having a hard time getting her tyke to wear some of the suggested items.
Here is what she asked…
“Can anyone suggest ways to get my southern Arizona born, recently turned snowy Midwestern toddler to wear _any_ of these clothing items?!! Suddenly we are house bound because the _only_ things she will wear are sweat pants and a long sleeved cotton shirt (won’t even wear socks) 
“
I figured the best way to get her some great answers was to allow my awesome readers to chime in with their expertise.
So let’s have it! How do you get your tykes to wear particular items of clothing for outdoor fun? Do you bribe, lead by example or have some other creative way?
Oh – good question! I have to admit that we, more often than not, have a wrestling match daily with getting at least one of our kids in one aspect of clothing or another. But, as long as they are comfortable, they are ALWAYS happy once we get them outside (so it is worth it to us.) Other than that, we do a lot of leading by example, and saying “this is what we are doing as a family right now…” and not giving them a choice (because we are the parents and know that it is best for them to get outside…and do it safely! The good news in your situation is that your child is young so as long as you do lots of practice (which means a great excuse to get outside daily) they will pick it up easily! Good luck!!!
Does she seem interested in going out? If she doesn’t, then there isn’t much you can do besides force her to dress for the outing that she will possibly resent. I don’t recommend that. If she does want to go out, but wants to dress inappropriately (for the weather), let her go out with whichever clothing she chooses. You can lay out the appropriate clothes and explain why you chose each piece for her to wear (this hat will keep your ears from feeling the cold, these warm fleece pants will keep your knees and legs warm and happy etc)… but don’t push any of the items on her, just explain that they will be available for her if she chooses to wear them. Then dress yourself in front of her labeling and explaining why you wear each piece. And then, go outside! She will be cold or uncomfortable and will most likely choose to return inside rather quickly. The next time you wish to go outside, repeat. It may take few times, but in my experience, the child will eventually start making the choices that will keep her warm in inclement weather. And then, it will be her choice and she will feel good about it because she was taking care of her own body. I chose this method with my daughter starting at about 16 months. It took two trips outside in the snowy weather in her slippers and shortsleeve shirt for her to choose the more appropriate clothing. She is now 2.5yrs and happily runs to collect her cold weather gear and even asks for suggestions if she is unsure of the outdoor temp.
First I’d make getting outside enticing enough to overcome clothing issues. Second I’d make it house rules that everyone, mommy and daddy included, has to wear appropriate clothing. Third, if you can get her in the decision making process it helps (do you want to wear your blue or red mitts?). That’s what works in our house so that we’re able to get outside everyday. If all else fails, like Amelia said, we’re not above wrestling our son into the right clothes.
We have had some success. I thought I’d share for anyone with the same struggles:
Thanks to some awesome Lake Effect snow, we had several days of fresh lovely white stuff outside each morning. So, we made it a rule that we all went outside to shovel the walk, “so that our guests can be safe!”, right after morning snack. Really a nice short job. We bribed her with the promise of hot chocolate that she could serve in her new tea set. Day 1: refused boots, socks, mittens, hat and jacket. Stood on some cardboard in the garage quite unhappy for a couple of minutes and then… put her jacket on! Cajoled a smile out of her by throwing snow balls at the dog. Inside for hot chocolate. Day 2: no argument about the jacket. _lots_ of talk about the hot chocolate. put boots on with no socks. out to shovel the walk… and she wanted to throw snowballs at the dog! and experienced the utility of mittens! hands were too cold for her to want to stay outside, so inside for hot chocolate. Day 3: jacket, hat, mittens, and boots (no socks yet), no problem! but she discovered why the magic stretch mittens don’t really cut it- they get soaked pretty quick. but no worries! hot chocolate apparently justifies any of this outdoor clothes trouble.
So, we’re making progress, thanks to some good advice gotten here, random weather, hot chocolate, and it being vacation so we could all go out together.
Yay! So glad some of the suggestions helped. I knew my readers would have some sound advice.
Love the progress and thank so much for sharing. Keep us posted on how it continues to go. Thanks!