My little boy (4 1/2) HATES to wear clothes. He would wear nothing but his undies 24/7 if he could. He is generally understanding about wearing clothes when we go out, or he is going to preschool, he doesn't fuss and lets me dress him in just about anything. He does however let me know that he doesn't like "button shirts" or "fancy clothes". But never fusses and goes with whatever I choose. But when we are just hanging at home, I typically let him pick what he wants to wear. This is typically undies and sometimes a superhero t-shirt. This was fine by me for the summer, but now that the weather is chaning I'm not so sure this will work. Like today it was cold in the morning and I got him some comfy sweatpants and was in tears over needing to wear them. We talked about the season and weather and just was still so upset. He claims he is not cold. I didn't even want to bring up socks! I just don't know. The weather is getting colder and I can't keep the house at 80 all winter. I'm wearing long pants and shirt and socks and still feel a little chilly. I want him to be warm, but not sure if it's worth the battle. I'm definately a Pick Your Battles kind of mom. I just make sure I win the ones I pick. Plus I don't want to turn dressing into an issue. He really is good when we need to go somewhere, and I want him to feel comfy when we are at home. I just don't know what to do when it's snowing outside and he still wants to run around in his undies. What do you think---should I set some ground rules on dressing or let him stick to his undies and tshirt and assume he will let me know if he gets too cold?
I say let him wear what he wants at home. Just because you are chilly, doesn't mean he is. In fact, he's probably moving around so much, that he gets warm! This is not a battle I would pick.
I would let him decide in the house. He will learn by the natural consequences of being cold to put clothes on. He also may be a warmer kid. My husband and son run around without shirts on while I am bundled up.
If he says he's not cold, take his word for it. Let him wear what he wants at home.
Your post had to make me chuckle a bit, not at your expense - believe me! I have four kids and two of them whip off their clothes and run around in their undies ALL THE TIME!!! I am typically layered two to three items deep with a scarf in the house with socks and slippers whilst my two kids are running naked! I am a "pick your battles" mom as well and have conceded that if they are cold they will put something on or get under a blanket. I fear the day that someone comes to my door, I answer and my naked children are running amok in the background! Can you say, "MOTHER-OF-THE-YEAR!"
I wouldn't worry about it, it's just like eating, they will eat when they're hungry, they will cover up when they're cold. = )
Enjoy!
He'll let you know when he's cold. Keep going with the clothes for school, company, etc., but let him have his little bit of control in the house.
Don't know why, but women tend to run chilly compared to men and children. If he says he's not cold for him in the house, then he's probably comfortable. I'm usually chilly when my hubby and son are comfy, and if I'm comfy they're warm.
I think that as long as he complies when you are out, let him choose at home. If he says he's cold, then tell him to put on pants/sweatshirt. My DD will refuse to get dressed in the AM and then be cold and she knows where her hoodies are. I would let this be a lesson he learns - the house gets colder. You either wear more clothes or you get cold, too. I would force the clothes he needs when you need to force them (i.e. go out - my DD learned pretty quick why I made her wear mittens).
I have one of those too. Okay, maybe 5 of them lol, but one is much worse than the rest. I found that footie pajamas were an acceptable substitute for running around naked for him. That way he could go without underwear if he wanted, and still be covered. hth
I fight this with my daughter all the time. I don't even try anymore! She wears what she wants and as long as she is within the school dress code, i don't say a word. With the cooler weather, you might try this- let him choose a pair of superhero slippers. Maybe he would wear them without a battle. At least his feet would be warm :) Also remember that he might not be feeling the cold like you do. If he is playing and running aorund the house, his body may be a lot warmer than yours.
Make a deal. He can wear whatever he wants on his body but he must wear socks and shoes. If he gets cold he will put something on, if he's not cool then he may have a different thermostat than you.
I was laughing when I read this, because at 7 my little naturist would still spend most of his time wearing nothing but his skin if he could. Or, if he really must have something on, underpants and a superhero cape are enough to make him feel dressed.
Here's the agreement we have. Inside our house, naked is okay in his own space, by himself. Out in mixed company in his own house with family, he needs to wear underpants at least. If anyone else is here, he needs to have on pants and a shirt. If we're going out, he needs weather-appropriate clothes and shoes, and mama gets veto power. I don't negotiate about what is appropriate to wear out the front door - that is where I've drawn my line. Indoors, if he says he's cold, I remind him that he has clothes he could put on. I do not change the heating for the convenience of he-who-doesn't-like-clothes. While it won't be warm enough for him to be comfortable, he's in no danger from getting chilly in the house. I'm hoping that eventually common sense will prevail, but I've decided that while we're indoors, I really don't care if he's an underpants and superhero cape kind of guy.
All my kids do the same thing at this age. I think this is a typical behavior.
What I have found (I have one in the stage now) that the battle, on some days is won by him and some days by me. He, like your little guy, will cooperate but his preference is to be in his undies all day...and to sleep in the buff.
If it were me I’d let him win some days and you others. I wouldn’t make the house warmer for his preference to be naked. He’ll put on cloths or his blanket if he’s cold enough.
We call my son "nature boy" for the same reason. He is shirtless and barefoot as I type this (he will be five in a couple of months). Don't worry, just have the clothes available and if he gets cold there they are. As for going outside the house? Your rules about being dressed should stand firm.
