Most people assume that if they have boys, they won’t run into the same issues that girls typically have. Specifically, issues relating to clothes. Well, not so and I have a two-year old boy to prove it.
Kyle has decided to show us his independence through his choice of clothes. Unfortunately, it’s not as simple as the colour. In fact, Kyle insists on wearing brand name clothes only. Now, I’m not talking brand name like Hugo Boss, Louis Vitton or Lacoste. I’m talking, Elmo, Thomas, Cars and smurfs. Unless it’s one of those, he refuse to wear it.
The problem is, 80% of the clothes he owns, are not his brand of choice. About a year ago, when I went to Joe Fresh, I found tons of great shirts for him size 2T (about a year out). They were all on sale for approximately $3, so I couldn’t resist buying them, and smiling to myself about what a great super saver shopper I am. Well, I couldn’t have been any more wrong! I’m lucky if I’m able to persuade him to wear any of those shirts.
Some of the tactics that I’ve used include: “The Elmo shirt is itchy, mommy needs to wash it so you HAVE TO wear this one until the Elmo shirt is clean”. Or, “look, there’s a backpack on this shirt, just like Dora. Don’t you want to be like Dora?” and my all-time favourite “look at the _____ (fill in the blank with whatever animal is on the shirt). Let’s go and try to find this ‘animal’ today”. I’m usually lucky enough that these work, especially if he hasn’t spotted one of his favourite shirts. 
I’ve even decided to go and purchase a few more of his brand name shirts, but then my husband keeps reminding me that we have a closet full of clothes that he’s never even wore. He’s right, I can’t justify spending more money on 2-year-old clothes. I just have to do laundry more often I guess!! During a more recent shopping trip, I just let Kyle pick out the clothes. While they didn’t have any of his favourites, he did choose two. One had a cool dinosaur on it, and the other was of a bulldozer. And since he picked it out, he hasn’t minded wearing them all that much. If you are struggling to find clothes that your kids will love wearing, feel free to shop on sites like Boutique Lilo & Stitch.
Girl or boy, do your kids have any funny / frustrating phases like this one? I’m sure that just like every other phase, this one is sure to pass. But in the meantime, please share your secrets with me. I’d love to hear 🙂
You should buy Thomas stickers and when he complains, just put the sticker on his shirt!
So smart Anna! Thanks for the suggestion 🙂
When my son was about 3 he decided that he wanted to wear certain things and not others. My husband looked at him and told him matter-of-factly that making a big deal out of what to wear was a “girl thing” and he was a boy so whatever his mother told him to wear that’s what he’ll wear. So that was that till about the age of 6 when he decided he can only wear clothing that has something to do with sports. Now I just do laundry very often and let him choose his clothes the night before from whatever is in his drawer. If there is something he wants to wear that happens to be in the laundry bin he will take it out and place it in the washing machine and then I know I better get a load done quickly! Oh, I forgot to mention that my 8 year old daughter couldn’t care less about what to wear as long as it’s comfortable…there goes my husbands theory!
ah! So funny. Must be a personality thing! Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Interesting – I am not looking forward to this. Especially because I am not a big fan of brand clothing…let’s hope she won’t mind wearing whatever. I have about another year to go, right? Love the sticker idea though!
A friend of mine who has twins said that the biggest “concern” for her daughters is the colour. So hopefully the same goes with your little one. 🙂