“Mom, I Don’t Want to Get Dressed!”

tips by Julianna  

We’ve all heard it before: just as we think that our morning is going smoothly and the kids are cooperating… “Mom, I have nothing to wear! I don’t want to get dressed!”
*Sigh*. We’ve heard it one hundred times, and we will surely hear it one hundred more. As charming as our kid appears in their pajamas, they know as well as we do that they are NOT going to school dressed like that.
Cue the debating, tantrums, and outright refusal.

What is it about getting dressed that is such a common trigger?

Getting dressed and getting ready for the day indicates an approaching transition. Whether it means the end of a peaceful morning or the beginning of a stressful school day, a child may feel that by giving up their will to argue, they are giving up their control.

Below are 3 productive tips that will save your sanity and get your child clothed!

1. Prepare your child for the change!

 Nobody likes an authority figure showing up out of nowhere, only to tell them to stop what they’re doing to be productive instead.

 Set a timeline for your morning, and be open with your child about where in the schedule they will be expected to get dressed. They might not love the idea, but it will help give them some perceived power in the situation.

Give your child gentle reminders that “get-ready” time is approaching, by saying things like:

 “Hey, sweety! I’m going to lay your clothes out on the bed for you. 15 more minutes until it is time to get dressed.”

“Hey, bud! After you’re done eating your cereal, we are going to head into your bedroom to get dressed.”

 “It’s time to get dressed! Let’s start by taking off your pajamas, and then we will put your t-shirt on next.”

 2. Make it fun!

 Turn changing time into a fun experience for your child by adding some adventure to it.
Try these ideas:

• Sing a song / listen to music
• Play “Red Light Green Light”: When you say green light, close your eyes while your child dresses as quickly as possible. When you say red light, open your eyes and tell your child to freeze!
• Set a timer. Record the time it takes for your child to get dressed and have your child aim to beat it every day!

3. Help your child make decisions along the way.

This is yet another way to help your child feel like all power is not being stripped from them. Dramatic? Yes.
As dramatic as a typical “get-dressed” meltdown? Nope!

 Take your child shopping to let them pick out their clothes. Let them pick out their clothes the night before school. Ask them to help you organize their closet or dresser.
 Taking your child from a full-blown clothing catastrophe to a harmonious morning experience is going to take some time. Let your child adjust to these new techniques and keep in mind that one day, you won’t have to ask twice.