Clothing Issues?

Question

My daughter will be 5 this month and for the last year or so I have been having issues with her and her clothing. She wants to wear nothing but dresses and skirts and thinks it is punishment to wear shorts or pants. I don't think skirts and dresses are always appropriate attire when at school or doing outdoor activities. I get such grief from her (including the guilt giving tears), but I put my foot down. Does anyone else have this problem?

She has skorts, but I want to her to wear shorts or pants when playing outside. She doen't need to rough and tumble in a skirt (or skort). If it were up to her, she would have nothing but skirts, dresses and fancy shoes.

She has skorts, but I want to her to wear shorts or pants when playing outside. She doen't need to rough and tumble in a skirt (or skort). If it were up to her, she would have nothing but skirts, dresses and fancy shoes. I tell her if she wore a skirt/dress one day - the next will be shorts or pants. I think that is fair.

Answer 1

OH MY GOD - I thought I was the only one! I've got a daughter who will be 5 in October - EXACT same problem... We live in Germany, and it's FREEZING here on most days, but she insists on the skirts... Her pants aren't ugly - so it's not a thing of fashion.

Have you talked with her teacher or daycare provider to see if they've noticed a trend in the behavior? In my case, most of the girls in my daughter's class all get together as soon as they arrive at school and compare dresses to see who has the one that spins the best, etc. It's a silly little girl thing.

I won't let my daughter wear one every day. In fact, because of the weather, I make her pick out pants on the days that it's too cold... Your best bet is to tell her that you'll pick her clothes out the night before - and that there is NO DISCUSSION... and just alternate... shorts/pants/skirts/dresses... every other day, whatever it takes. Eventually, they'll turn back into regular clothes instead of the life altering things they're choosing to wear on a daily basis!

Good luck.

Answer 2

When I was in elementary school, I hated wearing jeans. I would have rather worn a dress every single day. I can't even remember why, to be honest. My parents almost never let me wear dresses. I would give in to her request every time it's reasonable. Give her the choice of wearing leggings or shorts under her dresses, or picking out some skorts, or some really pretty, girly tops that will make her feel pretty even if she's wearing pants or shorts. If you feel strongly about her not wearing dresses and skirts to school and outside acitivities, at least let her pick out the pants, and let her wear her dresses once she gets home. Maybe some baby-doll swing style shirts would be a good compromise... a longer style shirt with a princess waist, that looks great with a pair of leggings or spandex/bike type shorts. Good luck!

Answer 3

You've got a princess. Why don't you let her be the princess she wants to be? Why don't you share her dream while you still can? The only problem I see is that she has to learn how to behave in skirts and dresses, but I guess she is very motivated for that learning.

If you feel skirts are inappropriate, ask your grandmother or someone that only wear skirts for religious reason. They could/can manage these problems, so you cannot it is impossible.

In a not so long time she will stop wearing skirts and dresse. Then you will miss your princess and start pushing dresses and skirts onto her.

Answer 4

Stop buying them! Even girls of five know when they are dressing to impress! Ask her if she feels like she 'has' to be pretty to make friends, or if there is a clique going on. Ask ber teachers, too. Then, as she gets dressed every day, make sure she has heavy tights (I know about Germany, so maybe find some wool ones!). You can also use bike shorts under her skirts to keep her modest. Try enrolling her in an activity with a uniform, like soccer or softball, that is girls-only but skirt-free. Show her pictures of all kinds of *girly* women- in all kinds of professions- wearing pants, suits, uniforms, and still looking pretty. Pretty is a state of mind, not what you're wearing! And, if all else fails, make culottes out of her current wardrobe. Try the link for some cute ideas for tights.

Answer 5

I used to be a nanny for two little girls who would end up in tears if they didn't have dresses, They said they did not feel like girls if they weren't in dresses. They were VERY girly girly. I live in a warm climate so long pants were never necessary per se.

We just had a rule that they could wear dresses, but if they were anywhere outside the house they had to wear shorts under their dresses. They seemed OK with it since no one could see the shorts. I was much happier because my playground flashers were now kept descent. See if she will go for that. Inside the home they could wear any dress or skirt they pleased with nothing under it. Most of their dresses were just simple cotton things that were OK to mess up a bit. They even had 'dress' night gowns to sleep in.

I remember one day dressing them in pink shorts and trying to get them outside the house. The moment I opened the door to go they both burst out into tears.... they didn't feel pretty. Sam did this from the ages of 4-6. After that she grew out of it. Lily was just mimicking Sam. She will lighten up in a year or so. Just buy a decent supply of spandex shorts to put under her dresses. We had them in all the basic colors to match their outfits.

If you NEED her to wear shorts try doing something to make her feel girly in pants. The girls had school uniforms and used to hate the pants. So we would paint their nails pink and use pink hairbows so that they still felt girly, and some clear lip gloss. That was the only way to make them happy in pants for awhile!

Answer 6

Not the same problem as that.
Pick your battles - maybe wearing a dress all the time isn't such a bad thing. You could get her some inexpensive ones to wear in the high "wear-and-tear" situations.

Answer 7

Skorts!
Or just tell her she can wear a dress whenever she wants, as long as she wears tights, or if it's warm, shorts underneath.

Answer 8

i would not make a big issue out of it but make her wear shorts under her dress and if she says no the just say you can were these shorts under your dress or with a t-shirt and say come tell me when you have made your decision and leave the room and just wait her out it will take a bit but she will see that you are in charge and it will be hard but you are the mother so you can do it in the end everything will be fine.

Answer 9

I agree with one of the other respondents: choose your battles. She will outgrow this eventually. The short bike shorts underneath the dresses is also a great option. There are a lot worse things she could be insistant upon. Smile and love her.

Answer 10

The trend now is dresses with leggings instead of tights. Hanna Andersson has some great play dresses that would work well for her age. They are made of a knit material. They can be a bit pricey, but are easily found on eBay. As they are made well, they last through more than one kid.

http://www.hannaandersson.com/style.asp?from=SC%7C3%7C2%7C24%7C25%7C1%7C%7C&simg=32551_S21