I have an energetic son, and this autumn, as temperatures in our area have dropped from the 60s to the 50s and even into the 40s, my 7-year-old insists on wearing shorts and T-shirts no matter the weather.
“It’s chilly outside. Don’t you want to wear some pants?” I ask.
“No, thanks, Mom.”
“How about a long-sleeved shirt?”
He’s adamant. At this point, I don’t even bother asking if he wants a jacket, as I know the answer.
Maybe it’s because he’s my youngest child and I’ve been through this before, or perhaps it’s just my laid-back nature, but I don’t stress over my son’s clothing choices. If it’s cold, I’ll suggest he wear something warmer. I make sure he takes a jacket if we’ll be outside for a while, but I don’t force him to put it on.
I’ve seen other parents take a firm stance on this issue. While I wouldn’t classify myself as overly permissive, I choose my battles wisely. Engaging in a power struggle over clothing simply isn’t worth it to me. If he gets cold, he’ll learn to dress appropriately. If he refuses and ends up uncomfortable, he’ll figure it out for next time. As long as it’s not freezing out, he’s not going to suffer serious consequences from the cold.
Interestingly, expert research indicates that he won’t catch any illnesses from the cold weather. The belief that children get colds or pneumonia from being cold is largely a persistent myth. Colds come from viruses, not from the chill in the air. While people do get sick more often during the winter months, this is primarily due to being indoors in close quarters with others, not the temperature itself. Sharing air with sick individuals is the real issue.
However, I did uncover some evidence suggesting that if a child is already unwell, exposure to cold can exacerbate their symptoms. So, if your child is sick, it’s advisable to keep them bundled up. But if they’re healthy? There’s no harm in letting them wear short sleeves.
I like to use the changing seasons as an opportunity to teach my child about natural consequences. Just as a child learns to eat their dinner when they’re hungry, they’ll understand to wear pants and a jacket if they feel cold often enough. Recently, I’ve noticed my son starting to respond to my reminders about the weather. When I suggest it’s cold outside, he’ll say, “I’ll bring my jacket, just in case.” He’s learned from his experiences with chilly arms and legs, so I seldom have to insist on a jacket anymore. This scenario allows kids to assert their independence while experiencing the effects of their choices, assuming temperatures aren’t dangerously low.
Just the other day, as we were preparing to go to the store, it was 45 degrees and raining. My son was dressed as if we were heading to a beach—short-sleeved polo shirt, shorts, and flip-flops.
“Have you looked outside?” I inquired. He peered out the window, then walked over to the coat closet and put on his winter coat. That’s how he went to the store—wearing a down jacket with shorts and flip-flops. Remarkably, he felt perfectly comfortable. I didn’t intervene.
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In summary, while it’s important to encourage children to dress appropriately for the weather, allowing them to make their own choices can lead to valuable lessons about natural consequences and personal responsibility.
Keyphrase: children’s clothing choices
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