In the days BC (before children) I'd see kids in the store wearing the most crazy outfits and I'd think to myself, 'What on earth were their parents thinking???' Now that I have kids of my own, I understand. Kids like to dress themselves and it just isn't worth fighting over.So, your child wants to wear a red sweat shirt, lavender(read purple) pants,I'm not sure why anyone would have purple pants to begin with..., yellow knee socks, boots, and a tiara in July. As a parent you have to pick and choose your battles. Generally it's best to save your energy for the more important things such as when the kids want to build a spaceship from parts they’ve taken out your sound system, blender plus a list of other gadgets or when the kids decide it would be a good idea to paint their bedroom door with nail polish. Stuff like The Hitting My Sister With a Smelly Sock Repeatedly Battle, or The He's Looking At Me Battle, just aren't worth the effort.
I've actually decided to stop buying new clothes for my kids. My son wears the same nasty old T-shirts day in and day out. It doesn't matter that he has a closet full of nice, new clothes. I'm sure his teacher thinks he's an orphan. And when I take the shirts away and toss them in the garbage, they somehow magically reappear in his drawer again and again. when he was younger, he did wear whatever I picked out for him. The only problem was - he liked to dress himself and 99% of the time, he put it on backwards. I mean, he's got a 50/50 shot of getting it right, yet his shoes are always on backwards and his tag is always sticking out the front of his shirt. I have not yet figured out why.
My daughter has nothing to wear. Again, she has a closet full of beautiful, untouched clothing, but I guess the clothes are invisible to her because when she opens her closet door, she sees nothing. She, more often than not, opts to wear my shoes as well. Hmmm maybe I could go raid HER closet for things to wear. I'm sure I'd look quite stylish in her little skirts( Hey dont you all dare check my weight!). This coming from a baby who didn't care what she wore as long as she got on shoes. First thing in the morning, she used to wake me up and bring me her shoes to put on. Before I change her nappy, I must slip shoes onto her feet. Pajamas and shoes. A diaper and shoes. Just shoes. And now my shoes plus the rest which she doesn't see!
My son's best friend and a regular at my place, spends most of his day just hanging out in his underwear. Maybe he's onto something. I'm sure it's very comfortable to walk around in nothing but your undies. But imagine ...well don't!
I have stopped blaming parents for the dresses kids wear!
35 comments:
That was good.
Do we have to get our children dress the way we want them to be?They have their own dreams.I know kids who wanted to dress up like Superman and Spider man, and don't they have rights too? And this is the only time they can walk around semi or fully naked..and let them enjoy it too.
I totally understand when you say your daughter doesn't have anything to wear, despite a closet-ful of clothes.
and yes, I agree that children won't wear what you want them to wear. When my SIL was preggo, we prayed and prayed and prayed for a baby girl, just so that we could deck her up like a doll. And prayers were answered for I have a niece.. but SURPRISE SURPRISE... the girl throws away anything that we make her wear... even begging doesn't help. I bought her all cute hair clips and bands and everything available under the sun that makes girls look super cute.. but she was happy with no accessories. Now that she is a bit grown up and understands the meaning of "Mommy's big eyes", she has started wearing a cute pony tail. Only thing, now I don't get to see her personally! :( :P
wel,this is a good post..i cant imagine from a parent's side bcz i'm not one yet,but i can say one thing didi...all kids wants to wear their dream dresses...yup like purple pants and all..they wont even mind to wear a red underwear outside of blue pants to be a superman...bed sheets helps them to make a cape...when i was a kid i use to wear dresses suggested by my parents(most often) i guess...dnt remember much(may b my mom has a different story abt this)..but when I've grown up and everything was my choice and still it is...
Keep writing...
:)
For one I can't take my eyes off those Mauve UGG Boots :) I don't mind wearing them!!
Haa your son seems to be exactly like my little devil who always wants to do everything himself, but never does it the right way!
But I am with your daughter! I open my closet every single day and fail to notice all the clothes and shoes I have *guilty*
Am all smiles !Love for that old Tee--sounds familiar .I remember when once my mil had to a stitch a rag looking frock for my daughter because she wanted to dress up like Cinderella (not her beautiful gown but the rags).My son likes to dress up like his dad all the time ...and also wears socks on his hands as gloves and a handkerchief over his mouth as mask( dr.).
Very cute write up Sujata:)
hehehee... I just loved your use of BC!! You know I always felt wat kind of parents are those who make their children wear fancy dress competition clothes!! But I guess I should rethink about it after reading your blog!!
Since as a kid, I never questioned my mom's clothes selection... I never thought new gen kids will be sooo choosy!! hehe...
Let me be prepared then :P
Wow, great look for the blog, with great music....and congrats for writing like james joyce-my fav.........will come back to read this fully, bit tied down. TC:)
Cpmpletely sympathize with you. I have two orphans. They wear the same old T shirts again and again. They yell at you if you put any of the fav jeans to wash. And they have many types of footwear but prefer to wear the old dusty black sandaks:D
well i never judged the parents earlier . Thank God otherwise that would just add to my oh i was soo wrong list.
but i can understand how you must think and feel. especially the pick your battles line.
whats irritating is parents of older kids advising you on kids wear.
yesterday a parent was telling me that i should let my child wear 3/4ths. (if the kid had worn shorts it would have been, he could hurt his knees falling down). here i am fighting with him that its ok to show your foot and that pants need to be around waist and not hip. and its enough if the ankle is covered and the pant need not become a socks and this parent suggests 3/4ths! (fully aware of my kids obsession with covering foot).
back to your post, i think the worst was your kid's friend he he he. no i didn't imagine:D
but i read somewhere that its better if the kids decide what they want to wear. the more they choose higher their IQ/individuality etc :D so if someone confronts you, use it as your weapon:D
It made me smile. And I really did see the kid, your son’s best friend, walking majestically around in his undies without a care in the world. That’s called freedom,
isn’t it? I envy him.
I know what you mean, totally! Just the day-before I saw my daughter wearing her favourite frock at home with a safety-pin to hold one of the straps that had ripped off! I had to threaten her to take it off, and warn her against wearing it, ever!! And my baby, she does the no-nappy + shoes, nappy + shoes, top + shoes and all that. She wears all of OUR shoes too, heels or without and struts around like a big missy. And she's just two...boo, hooh! I've stopped looking at what other children wear, good or bad.
a few weeks ago i presented bou with a small porcelain hang on tag which read, " i have shopped all my life and have still nothing to wear"... so i guess its not about kids only.....
Absolutely.If we go back down memory lane, we realise that we did exactly the same in our childhood.
baby's doing baby steps..
why to bother?
every time - me try to imagine a beautiful dress for my boy - he stick on with a material - which me always feel an olllldddd stock..
it is happening everywhere..
the best dress selector for them - would be their friends..
Aaahh...Yes. I am so glad you wrote this post. I have been through this stage. I am sick and tired of buying clothes for them and even then I rarely see them wear many of them. Come cleaning time and I can see those stuffed into all corners of the cupboards. I have even threatened never to clean their cupboards ever. NO USE. Its a lost battle. I gave up long back!I have even resorted to bribe to get them to dress the way I want :(
I don't remember telling my mom that I need to buy this or that as a kid. I relied on their choice which luckily, was cool! I see my lil nephew all over your post!
I guess children want to look and feel like grown ups. Take boys in particular. Oversize , jeans and trousers, loose fit shirts rolled up sleeves Unbuttoned shirt over a crew neck. Well they have a right to be themselves dont they?
Children will wear what they like and parents have to change. We did the same :)
Childhood could be quite reflective as well. As a child, I remember my mum getting hyper over just one habit of mine,that of throwing away shoes-slippers out of the window,directly into the gutter ,b'coz I wished to have a new one everyday! Who knew one day, I would indulge in shoe-making! :D
Daughter 1 is raiding my cupboard these days. Whatever little clothes I have end up in her closet. Daughter 2 is always wearing shorts or like your son's friend, only undies. I hope she discovers her feminine side soon. All those nice frocks end up going to my niece. At least she appreciates them!
Ohhhh I thought it s a just a problem with teenagers!!!
Hmmm… generations change so do their tastes ha?
sujata jiiii..thanks ya...sure u having fun in Oman..wishes always:)
I always used to wear my dads shirts ! Now i know that he wasnt particularly amused, although, to his credit and greatness, he never said a word !
Reminds me what my mother often describes as a legacy thats passed on...clothers that were worn by elder siblings were passed on to the younger ones or clothes were brought a size bigger so that they can fit the kids in their growing age and should not be rendered useless in less time ..
Youve got a great blog!Keep up!
:) You should continue to shop for them. But let them decide what to wear! This way, they do not run out of choices!
That was a Nice one......... wait till they get into college and if they have to be in a hostel
Guess being a mom teaches a lot though can't imagine anyone wearing too many clothes in this hot city
what hapnd? where r u? u know the blogworld is missing u...tc wishes
BC - Before CHILD i loved this he he heehe :)
I would leave the kids to do what they want to he he he he but ohhh those childhood fights with the siblings .. i remember i use to pull my sis's hair a lot or try to cut her off while she was talking it made her so angry pappaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa :)
brought back memories although your post is entirely on something else
:)
Bikram's Blog
That was fun. Reminded me of the days my kids were smaller. My daughter came over for a visit and got me a nice shirt and said it was for me and got me to wear it today. She said, 'I want you to say nothing, not that is short, see I even got a size that is slightly large for you because you would not wear it otherwise'. I did wear it and she is looking so pleased. Guess tables have turned! But they still dictate what is to be worn, but this time it is about me!
the colours for children's clothes are decided by designers who've done some research into toddlers and kids preferences. their tastes, at that stage are still unconditioned, mind you. i think, bassicall, the humans lie bright colours
Happy Bijoya to you and your family
I don't hv your email ID to send you greetings
warm regards
kahan hai ji? kuch update tho dena...how can u forget yr blog friends like this bahhh:(
Very true. Kids decide what they want to wear. When some cloths become their favorite, they always want that only.
Funny!
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