Clothes are a form of self-expression, which is why they can be a hot topic when your child starts forming his or her own self-identity. The only issue, of course, is that not every decision your child makes is in their own best interest. There is a line between supporting their creativity and being forced to put your foot down. Finding the happy medium can help your child develop appropriately, and it can also put an end to the never-ending struggle between you and your child’s wardrobe. To help you reach this peace, follow these steps:
Allow Options
When it comes to making the compromise between choosing your child’s clothes for them and letting them pick out things that they want, it can be challenging. A great way to avoid this challenge is to choose brands whose styles and quality you trust. For instance, if they want a new pair of sneakers, but they’re looking at cheaper options that’ll only break, encourage them to look at more reliable brands known for being good quality.
If you agree and like all the designs on offer, then there is no harm in having your child pick out things they want.
Train Your Child to Recognize Quality Clothing
Clothing is so cheap that your daughter could go to the mall with her friends and buy something with the money she gets for her allowance. This habit, however, could easily turn into an overstuffed closet full of clothes she never wears and never did wear. Instead of encouraging this wastefulness, have her go through a checklist instead. You shouldn’t say no to experimental pieces, but these pieces should be appropriate and of adequate quality.
Ask her to keep the receipt. Also teach her how to ask the following:
- Can I wear this at school?
- Who am I trying to be?
- Will I still want to wear this next year?
She won’t always get it right, but that is what the receipt is for. Having clear guidelines on what is and what isn’t appropriate will help her find pieces that express herself without being inappropriate, and if she does make a mistake, take her with you when you return it.
Dressing for Their Bodies: A Lesson
If your child is allergic or sensitive to any material, it’s wise to teach them about it early on and how to look out for it. Nickel, for instance, is a very common skin allergy to have, and it can put a lot of affordable jewelry out of reach. When that is the case, teach her about searching for skin-friendly companies like Blomdahl USA who offer hypoallergenic earrings made of medical-grade plastic.
The goal is not to dictate what your child wears because what they wear is crucial for their development and self-expression. Instead, help steer them in the right direction in terms of quality, appropriateness, and their health. You don’t want to stifle their creativity, but you do need to help them navigate what is and isn’t okay. Using these techniques you can also help teach your children to value the clothes that they have, which will help them be more mindful of the environment and of their own spending habits in the future.