My Daughter Has Been Complaining That Her Pants and Socks Are Uncomfortable

My daughter is the same way! She has major sock issues. She never throws a fit and she is so well behaved, but when it comes to being comfortable in her clothes - she'll put up a fight. I used to get frustrated, but later decided it wasn't worth it. I don't have money to experiment with different fabrics, so I just had to tell her she had to deal with it. And she did.

G.-
Not sure that I have any advice, but wanted you to know you're not alone. My daughter is 5 and just this year started saying her socks and tights are not comfortable b/c of the line...I only buy socks that have the line more on top, and not right at the toe line. She mostly wears pull on velour, cotton, or fleece pants also.
My friend's daughter who is the same age went through the same thing, but w/ almost every piece of clothing, getting her dressed was a nightmare! I'm pretty sure it's normal, sorry I don't have more advice though!

G., I this is a response from my mother. My youngest brother has sensory issues...here's what she had to say! :)->
yes it is sensory. If there was one pair she liked I'd say buy more, but you will have to take her shopping and have her pick out socks that she likes the feel of... you can't try them on so that doesn't guarantee she will like the fit and feel once she tries them on. It takes a long time to find the right socks, to keep them in stock at your house etc etc... and a lot of the time you can have the right sock but it doesn't 'feel' right to them on their feet because of ???????? a sensory issue you and I don't have. We fought, cried and when I heard of other sensory kids who did this I cried the hardest, it's just part of who they are and what they do and you just have to go through it without scarring them over it.... I know always being late, always fighting over it... keep looking for the right socks, let her pick them up, be prepared to waste a little money and be prepared to still have days where those socks may not feel right. Dan has been buying just Hanes socks for years, once in a blue moon do we have issues... but for about 2 years it was a big big issue.
Same thing with the pants... Dan only wears velour, sweats, some cotton but never ever bluejeans, he hates the feel. Same thing with shirts too. You get through it, have them pick out what they like is the biggest timesaver. There is Early Intervention and Occupational Therapy for Sensory issues. Good luck.

Hi G.~ Sounds like a sensory issue to me. I would talk to your pediatrician and her teacher. Perhaps she could see a school based Occupational Therapist. My son also has some difficulty with snaps on pants. Mostly because he is impatient and waits so long before he goes to the bathroom. I found some great pants at Lands End. I am sure they have the same for girls too. Good luck.

I am not much help on this one, but for our kids "sock issues" I have found that if they wear them inside out, they are happy. Also, I buy them the really cheap socks (Like from the Dollar store) so they are thin. I have one child who doesnt like the seam, so inside out works for that and one child who doesnt like the thickness of socks once her shoes are on. I would also try and get her to talk about what exactly it is that is "bothering" her about her clothing. Is it bothering her, or hurting her. I have a son that had mild sensory issues, but he has pretty much grown out of it. But for a child with sensory issues, the irritation can actually be painful to them. Overalls helped him for awhile. The doctor might be able to help more if some mommy tricks dont work.

Check out her skin to see if she is not having a contact dermititis. Have you changed detergents lately? A lot more skin sensitivities are cropping up in people of all ages.

Hi G.. I'm probally not much help. But my 7yr old boy has the same problem with pants. Mainly the waist. But they are adjustable elastic and I think the problem is when you adjust them they crinkle up a little. Once in a great while he gets agravated about the socks....... I dont really know what to tell ya, but perhaps not to make a big deal over it (to her I mean). Maybe see if she can compromise and wear the comfy pants for school and still wear snap up pants on the weekend?

There have been alot of good responses, and I hope she gets the pants part figured out...how about elastic waist skirts? I know winter is coming, but maybe footless leggings under skirts will get her thru the phase. Does she have dry skin? That may be the uncomfortable feeling...the dryness and itchy.

As far as the socks, she has my sympathy. I'm 37 and almost NEVER wear socks, no matter what the weather. I just can't do it, and if I do they need to be fitted (with the heel) and need to be inside out. It's a quirk, noone would be concerned that she wouldn't wear hats, and to me this is just the same. Good Luck and hang in there :)

I am going through this right now, my son is 7 and has been doing this since kindergarten. He will not wear what I pick out and then has a fit if I say he has to. He has a problem with socks when we put his shoes on. This is over anything with clothes, sock, shoes, coats. It drives me crazy. We are always rushing and being late because of his complaints. We are now in the processes of letting him know that if it continues (late for cubscouts last night) that he will be going to bed 15 minutes early for every outburst. We didn't have any problems this morning, keeping my fingers crossed for tomorrow. I know that they are asserting their indepence at this age but I try to let him know that he has some choices, like on the weekends and we don't have anywhere to be I let him choose his clothes, sometimes it doesn't match but its meeting him half way. Hope this helps to know that your not the only one who is going through this. good luck

Hi G.,
My daughter too goes through this. She is now 9. Trust me, it will get better :) Although not soon enough for you I'm sure. What I did was when she found a type of sock she liked - I bought about 20 prs. She still wears this type ONLY - it has been about 2 yrs. And, good thing, the company still makes them. Same goes for underwear. I hate to admit it, but she went for almost a year w/ not wearing underpants every day because we couldn't find the "good" knid. We finally did, and I did the same thing - 20 prs. But watch out for this method too - because sometimes the type will change and start to bug them. The same for pants! Finally, this year she started wearing blue jeans-and life is so much easier - but again, they have to be a certain kind. Goodluck and keep your chin up. It WILL get better! J.

Hi. I am sorry about the struggles that you are having with your little one. I don't want to scare you but I believe in considering everything. Does she have/been checked for diabetes? Food sensitivity is very common but can affect other parts of the body too.

I went through the same thing with my daughters it is normal. However in my case my children have tactile sensory intergration. Keep an eye on this if it continues you may want to see an ocupation therapist for an evaluation. Watch for complaints of other clothing, brushing teeth, any sort of touch issues. Any clothes that are constrictig if this is the issue she will complain about. It is common for kids to have this. Children with sensory problem don't just complain they usually have fits and abnormal behavior.

Check with your doctor if you have questions on Sensory problems.

best of luck

T. L.

At the most it sounds like sensory issues. You can try talking to your pediatrician, but I have found that most are not very good with the topic. Like the previous resonder, I would recommend talking with the school & trying to get some OT. You may even want to try putting together your own sensory diet at home to work on your daughter's specific problems (there are lots of great books & websites to guide you).
On the other hand, it can just be a part of growing changes and in a few months she'll stop complaining. In the meantime, try taking her sock shopping where she can choose her own socks/pants. You can also make your own snap practice board with materials purchased from the fabric stores or ask relatives to get her presents for the holidays that assist with fine motor skills.
Be patient, you'll find something that works & good luck.

HI G.. I just wanted to let you know, you are obviosly not alone with this problem. My 7 year old daughter is a sweetheart, but will put up a fight when it has to do with her clothes. She will only wear certain socks (inside out) or really fluffy chenille with NO SEAMS.
No edging, lace, smocking or embellishments. No jeans or pants with a seam she can feel. The fact is, these clothes bother her and irritate her skin. She is not a stubborn girl but she gets SO upset when wearing uncomfortable clothes it is not worth making her wear them. I'd rather have her comfortable and happy, even if it means my other 3 girls match and dress up and she dresses a little different. She will wear leggins with skirts but not tights. She will occasionally compromise on certain outfits. Try different combos and see what works. Kohls carries soft cotton seamless tagless shirts, and yoga pants and Old Navy fleece outfits with plain cotton T's work for us.
Also, have her try her clothes on the night before or on the weekend so its not a major issue in the morning if you can. I just think everybody's different and it may just be a sensory issue. While it can be a pain for us, I just thank God it's nothing serious. Good Luck and let me know if you come up with a good solution or find some comfy cute clothes.

Socks are hard to find that dont bother their feet! Try looking for thinner socks. Bobby socks or something similair. Nothing to thick, go thinner. As far as pants, have you checked Sears? I was thrilled to findthe brandTKS (the kids source ). They look like normal jeans in the front, even have a snap. BUT, instead of a zipper, its just sewn, so they're really pull on pants, the back of them are elastic. Less work/stress for the kids. Its hard for them when they go to school, they have to be able to snap all their snaps & stuff. Have her try them on at the store to make sure she can work them herself. My daughter is forever in a rush, ending up with her underwear hanging out the top of her pants, shirt 1/2 tucked.
Good luck!

L. - married fulltime workin mom w/ 2 girls, 3 & 6.