Every Time I Think I Know What to Expect
Alexis and I have had many battles as of late over her daily choice of attire. When the battles first started, I had thought about just letting it go. There are, after all, much more critical issues for us to fight over. (Like how she WILL quit wasting Snickers bars by putting them in her mouth then saying "I don't like it" and throwing away a perfectly edible piece of chocolate bliss.) However, after further pondering, I figured I'm bigger, I'm the boss, and really I plan to have a say in what she wears for the next 16 years or so.
With images of slutty Halloween costumes and super-short mini skirts in mind, I went to war.
I've mentioned that Alexis flat-out refuses to wear anything other than sleeveless sundresses. That was really a very predictable response that she developed after way too many people told her she looked beautiful/cute/pretty/whatever in the sundress of the day all through the summer. So, I implored everybody to start working on reversing that effect over the past few weeks. In order to get people to compliment her shirts and pants, though, I had to get her IN them.
That's been fun.
Like, a going to the dentist for a root canal variety of fun.
Yet, I've persevered. The weather hasn't been all that warm and cozy, so really I'm doing the kid a favor when I force her to don long sleeves and pants. If you asked her about it, though, I'm sure that she would tell you I'm the most horrible mother of all time.
Whatever.
I made it through three days last week. There were three good-sized battles, lots of tears, many screams and shrieks, and a generally unhappy Toddler. She was a warm toddler, though. A warm toddler who was repeatedly complimented on her super-cute owl t-shirt, or whimsical Snow White sweater, or adorable little jeans.
Then came Saturday. A warm-ish Saturday at that. Alexis and I were to have a girls' day out shopping, and I really didn't care what she wore. So, I sent her off to her closet to pick something. Anything.
She came back with a simple little Hello Kitty t-shirt. Then she said, "Momma, where's my pants?"
Or, at least I think that's what she said. I can't be entirely sure since I passed out cold from the shock of it all.
(You would think I would have a photo of this monumental occasion where the Toddler willingly wore pants and a shirt. You would be wrong.)
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Reader Comments (28)
WoooHooo score for mom.It is nice when we occasionally win battles.I am fighting my own right now.Pray for a win for me.
ah, i always say pick your battles, but once picked, stick to it. you never know when victory will be yours.
and that really is the cutest minnie mouse ever.
In an effort to give you hope for the future, I thought I'd share these two things with you: 1) at about age 12, my taste in apparel started meshing with my Mom's, and 2) my (step)daughter's taste in apparel has ALWAYS meshed with mine. Go figure! Just wanted to let you know there might be light at the end of the tunnel on the apparel front. And if all else fails, just keep her in the Minnie Mouse costume 24/7 for as long as possible. Because, that is truly the cutest thing I've ever seen, and she looks ADORABLE in it! I'm sure she would say "Dank you." BWAHAHA--I will always think "dank you" is one of the funniest things ever!
I'd call that success right there!
My oldest would not wear pants until last year--you got Alexis starting much earlier :)
I love that picture - she totally has the Mr Husband look going on there. I'm missing you & hope you return to the public soon, pumpkin. And, SBB, you know women have the ability to change their minds on just about anything, right? Get use to it Mom.
You're an effing genius with all that psychology stuff. I'm way impressed.
excellent use of the psychology! Luckily Boog doesn't seem to care too much about his clothing yet. It could be he's not there yet age wise or just that he's a boy. I'm hoping it's the latter since that won't change with time. He is partial to certain types of PJs though. That could be the beginning I guess. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
Replace Princess dress for sundress and you have my problem with Miss Peach...Every. Day!
Oh, with all the problems that arise around here, thankfully we haven't hit this one.
Although, the little one does have requests from time to time. But I have found a trick to fix that.
As soon as he starts out with his "I want to wear this", I usually whip out the lollipops. He immediately forgets.
Try it out sometime!
You HAD to post that photo....that's beautiful!!!
You are genius! Getting everyone to compliment her pants and shirts! There's nothing like everyone telling you that you look cute to make you want to wear certain clothes. I mean, it would totally work on me!
oh but I love it when they catch us off guard with things that we would want them to say/ask/do!
Been there. Done that battle thing. Twice. Over mismatched outfits and/or wearing the same dress day in and day out for three months and/or "No, I'm not spending $300 on your prom dress." Both older daughters. They've now graduated from college, and their clothes are clean and matching and affordable. Without my help.
There now. Not doing that battle thing. She's eight. Her clothes are clean. Her clothes are mostly from Target. And they never match. I see the looks from other parents when she walks into school, but she LIKES pink camo pants with a red-striped shirt. She told me so. Whatev. Third child.
Score one for Mom and reverse psychology!!
Isaac went through a phase where he refused to wear socks. I finally gave up arguing with him. Sending a kid to Kindergarten with no socks is embarrassing, but for some reason, sending him to church like that was worse. And his stinky feet? I swear I can still smell them!!!
I'm sure they do it on purpose to play with your mind! It's all about their sense on control :) and it's enough to drive me mad!
Can't believe you didn't get a photo!
I don't even know her and I love her. She's so stinkin' CUTE!!
She'll come around to our way of thinking eventually. You won that day, at least!
It took my 2 year old a few days for her to get used to wearing pants again. She freaked out the first day I tried to put them on her but she got over it!
You know, writing this may have cursed you. Good luck getting her in pants TOMORROW.
;)
Drat, I was looking forward to picture after picture of striped stockings and turtlenecks under those sleeveless dresses. Because I can't wear them on my boys without Sam coming unglued.
@Karen--Just wait because that still may very well happen. I'm thinking that now that I've thoroughly documented my efforts to dress her appropriately, she won't be able to blame me for hundreds of photos of her dressed like a goofus.
Sounds like it's starting to work. Maybe she just finally got cold! ; )
Been there, done that. Big Sis went threw a phase where she'd wear nothing but dresses. It passed, thankfully. Now if the Hannah Montana phase would pass...
That is one adorable picture!
So I guess I shouldn't tell her how cute her sundresses look and that Mom says she can't wear them because she's jealous that they won't fit her?
lol. great post. :)
Wow! My kids have a tendency to make a liar out of me by doing exactly what I tell someone they refuse to do. It's great. Everyone thinks I'm an idiot!
At the risk of repeating myself: You are in soooo much trouble. LOL! Good thing you've got proof here that you tried to guide her down the path of wardrobe righteousness. LOL!