Avoiding Coat Combat!

Sometimes you'll find it's tough to get your young childthe visible part of any outdoor clothing - you don't want
into his or her coat, no matter how cold it is outdoors.to give strangers the means of attracting his or her
Though having to put on clothes at someone else'sattention. Scruffy's Bookshop has loads of great
command may prompt resistance from a toddler, aillustrated books - why not transfer one or two of our
coat or snowsuit is probably top of the list forpictures onto fabric and apply them to the coat? You
wardrobe rebellion. This is probably because no othercould tell a whole story around the hem maybe?
item of clothing restricts their freedom of movementDistraction
so much. Additionally, whilst there's often scope forTalking fast or drawing their attention to other toys,
individual expression in other areas of dressing, therehousehold objects or family pets can take your
usually isn't with a coat - when you need one, youtoddler's mind off resistance when you it's time to put
need one! So, how can you make getting that coaton the dreaded coat.
onto your child less of a struggle?Make it into a game
With the right materialsDo something silly with the hated garment before
Some thick winter jackets make it almost impossibleattempting to put it on your child. Put it on yourself
for the wearer to move. Avoid coats that are too tight,(which should be quite amusing!) and announce that
bulky, itchy, heavy or too restrictive. Chooseyou're ready to go. Or drape it over the dog, play hide
light-weight insulating materials over heavier ones suchand seek with it .... there are loads of possibilities.
as wool.Hopefully your toddler will find it all so funny that there
Offer choicewon't be any protests when it's time to actually put the
Obviously you can't stuff your toddler's closet with acoat on.
variety of expensive outerwear so they can chooseTry reasoning
the coat they like that day. But you can make the nextIt can work sometimes! Before a tantrum has
coat you buy a reversible one. That way he or she willdeveloped, after which there will be no point in trying to
be able to decide which side out to wear on any giventalk sensibly with your child, explain why you want
day. And if it's not too cold, perhaps you can dispensethem to dress for outdoors, that it's cold outside,
with the coat and give them the option of wearing aneveryone else is dressed for the weather. Maybe
additional sweater or fleece.fake a few shivers.
Add interestOf course if all else fails, you're the boss and you'll
A boring old coat can become a top favourite whensimply have to put the coat on your child anyway. Be
it's been adorned with appliques, colored patches, braid,firm but understanding, "I know you don't like to wear
bobbles - whatever takes your (and your child's) fancy!this, but it's cold outside to day so you have to," and
But remember, never ever add your child's name toquickly distract him or her once they're ready.