Source
r/toddlers•
steviethetv1

Ideas for 3 yo clothing refusal and change

Question

I know it’s developmentally appropriate. I know it’s just a phase. Independence blah blah. But I am out of ideas and would love input from others who have endured this.

My 3 yo has become very picky about clothing over the past 6 months. We’re down to only one style of pants (have multiple pairs), a few shirts, one style of shoe (that I buy in each size), and two pairs of underwear I wash every other night as I can’t find the same print to buy more. I don’t mind buying doubles or doing laundry often—it’s the changing of seasons that’s getting me. Or the rare special days like family photos or a wedding. Me or daycare can’t get him in shorts or sandals or a spring coat. Getting him to wear mittens almost did me in. I’m also having a tough time finding his preferred shirts in the next size. (Wish I would have bought every size in preferred style but didn’t see this coming. Damn you Old Navy for switching one train shirt style for another!)

I have bought more than 30 shirts and spent over $200 on underwear trying to get him to wear anything.

I’ve tried bribing (food, activities), pointing out me or friends wearing “cool” things, talking it through, he gets to pick between choices, him picking out at store, just forcing it (10/10 do not recommend unless you want to listen to screaming and crying for over an hour), and buying similar but different things. Any tricks I’m missing?

At home he is naked and it’s been like that for over a year. (Note: We’ve talked it over with pediatrician and with his speech therapist, nothing concerning with this issue. They recommend just staying the course and say “yeah kids all have their things.” He, in general, likes routine but is cool with other kinds of change, especially food.)

Posted Apr 28, 2021, 8:02 PM UTC

17
SinghDoubleTrouble•

Since it looks like you've tried everything, I'm thinking you have likely taken him to Carter's/Target and told him he could pick out some clothes?

1
steviethetv1OP•

Yes (and bought some and eventually returned). In those situations he says “I want NOTHING.”

1
SinghDoubleTrouble•

Lol!!! The dramatics!

1
Mama-anom-nom•

No solutions. Just solidarity. My almost 3 yr old is the same way. She will even pick something at the store and decide she doesn't like it later. Or if I try giving her a choice, she will say no to all choices.

Our best bet is telling her to pick something out of her dresser by herself when she is being really picky. But it's a hot or miss sorta thing.

1
steviethetv1OP•

The solidarity helps too! Every time I hear someone else say “oh yeah my daughter wore the same color leggings for 2 years” it makes me happy.

2
eclectic_heart•

My 3 year old is currently in a red stage. If it isn't at least half red he won't wear it. Which is rough, because this is graduating from his pink and purple stage, which came after his his naked stage and before that his leggings only stage. He wants his red dinosaur shirt, that is exactly like his purple dinosaur shirt but red instead, and we don't own a red dinosaur shirt. I know, I'm a horrible mama for not predicting his overnight switch from pink and purple to red and having an entire new wardrobe prepared in his new preferred color. I don't have any suggestions really, but I get it. I can already tell my little one will be this way too, right now when I get her out of bed the first thing she tells me is "dress" and if I don't get the right one out for her she screams... Aren't toddlers fun?

1
OMGewwwDavid•

I know you said you did the just force it thing but have you tried where they dont get to go unless its worn? Mine refused to wear mittens as well. I told him mittens needed to be worn to go outside. No outside unless mittens are worn. He can then choose what color mittens. The first day he threw a huge fit and and we didn't make it outside but I stuck to my guns. The second day he fussed a bit but eventually picked a pair and out we went. Sounds like you've really tried it all. Sorry, i knows its frustrating! Could you get white shirts or underwear or whatever clothing and get fabric paint and paint them together? Or do tye dye? Make it very special, everyone in the family makes one. The next day run to get them and all get dressed in the new clothes together.

1