"But Mom, I don't want to wear that!" It's the dreaded wardrobe discussion. For some, it might happen once in a blue moon, but other not-so-lucky parents might find themselves in engaged in the clothing power struggle on a daily basis. Whether your child is 2 or 12, there is always the possibility for discourse over those duds. Of course, the difficulties you encounter might depend on your child's age range. {relatedarticles}While a mother of a two-year-old may struggle getting any clothing on, a parent of a tween might be in conflict over what is appropriate and what is not. The key to any clothing conflict is patience. For younger children who want to express their independence and pick out their clothing, limit their choices. Set out a few options and let your child pick from there. It's the perfect compromise where you both win. If your child picks out an outfit that doesn't match, just go with it - unless it's unseasonal and could be hazardous to his or her health.
Give your child positive feedback after he or she has made his or her choice. It's just another way for your child to foster his or her creativity. Obviously, there will be times when you'll overrule a selection, especially on those important occasions when the clothes do matter. Another important rule of thumb is to set the clothing ahead of time so that you're not dealing with the clothing crunch at the last minute.{relatedarticles} If your child is dragging his or her feet during dress time, make a game out of it and race to see who can get dressed the fastest. As for dealing with older children, you need to pick your battles. While you want to encourage your child to be independent, obviously appearance, cost and safety are going to factor to in as far as what makes the cut. Clothing is a way for kids to express themselves. Sure, you may swear off belly-baring shirts, booty shorts, low-rise jeans and low-cut shirts. But if it's not putting your child in harm's way, why not let it ride? Decide what you can and cannot accept... and let everything else be fair game.