If getting your kids dressed in the morning involves an endless battle of tantrums and tears, try letting them choose their outfits. This simple change will help them look put together and ready for success.
It will also prevent you from rethinking your choice once you’re dizzy and upset. However, you must reserve the right to veto clothing items inappropriate for an occasion or situation.
The Right Size
As kids grow and develop, they naturally want to have a say in what they wear. Having suitable clothing options, including having them choose their clothes and helping them dress themselves, can be a great way to give kids that independence.
It’s also essential to be sure children are wearing the correct size. Many clothing brands have sizing that follows a child’s age, but some children outgrow those sizes faster than others.
Having kids try on clothing before buying it can help ensure they get the best fit. Parents can also encourage their children to shop with them or give them a little pocket money and let them buy their clothes (but with parental supervision, of course). That way, they are less likely to have an outfit that never gets worn. This can save both time and money! This is also an opportunity to teach kids about budgeting.
The Right Color
While children need to express their style, there are some rules that parents can follow to make sure their child looks great. The kinds of clothes parents are choosing are always the best! For example, darker colors can make someone look slimmer, and pastels complement lighter skin tones.
One way to avoid clothing battles in the morning is for parents to lay out an entire outfit before their child goes to bed the night before. This will prevent procrastination in the morning and narrow down options for the child to pick from so they can handle decisions.
Parents mustn’t get emotional about their child’s wardrobe choices, as this can backfire in the long run. Instead, they should help their child choose an outfit that makes them feel confident and happy. This will set a good precedent for them as they grow older and develop their independent style.
The Right Texture
There are plenty of stressful situations kids encounter during the day that require problem-solving and brain power. Clothing shouldn’t be one of them.
Parents are often sensitive to how their children look, especially if they can’t find something they feel good about or that fits well. Some note that they may even be tempted to get emotional about their child’s outfit choices, but this can backfire on the parent and child.
The last thing you want to see is your child fighting with a friend over the latest trends or refusing to wear the shirt that you yelled at them to put on because it doesn’t “look right.” A little time spent making sure an outfit looks neat, clean, and pressed and explaining why you chose this specific clothing item can help set a standard for how they will dress. This will also give them confidence that they can do it independently.
The Right Fit
As children grow up, they have to learn many different things. They’ll have to deal with adolescent drama, work hard in school, and eventually take on responsibilities like cleaning the house or managing their finances. Thankfully, many of these building blocks are introduced at an early age.
It’s also important to instill good habits in your kids. For example, taking a few extra minutes to ensure your child’s clothing is clean, free of creases, and looking tidy sets a significant precedent. This will help them develop the habit of taking care of their appearance in the future.
When shopping together, it’s an excellent opportunity to teach your kids how to read garment labels and product descriptions. They can learn to look at garment specifications like the suggested age or height and determine if they are the correct size. This will save them money in the long run, as they won’t have to buy clothes they’ll never wear.