Parenting
As the chilly fall air settles in, I find myself navigating the classic battle of wills with my spirited son. Here in the Pacific Northwest, temperatures have plummeted from the comfortable 60s to the brisk 40s, yet my 7-year-old continues to insist on sporting shorts and T-shirts every day, regardless of whether we’re indoors or outside.
“It’s freezing! Don’t you want to wear some pants?” I ask, hoping to coax him into something warmer.
“No, thanks, Mom,” he replies with a grin.
“What about a long-sleeved shirt?”
“Nope, I’m good!”
At this point, I’ve stopped asking if he wants a jacket, knowing full well that the answer will be a firm no.
As a parent who has weathered the ups and downs of raising kids before, I’ve learned to choose my battles wisely. I don’t consider myself overly lenient, but arguing over clothing just isn’t worth my time or energy. If he feels cold, he’ll eventually reach for something warmer. And if he chooses not to, he’ll learn through experience. As long as it’s not dangerously cold, I’m confident he won’t suffer serious consequences.
Curious about the common belief that cold weather leads to illness, I did some digging. Experts agree that the idea children catch colds or pneumonia simply by being cold is largely a myth. Instead, viruses are the culprits behind those sniffles. People are more prone to get sick in winter months, but that’s typically due to being cooped up indoors with others rather than the temperature itself. It’s the close contact with germs, not the chill in the air, that makes us sick.
There is some evidence suggesting that if a child is already feeling under the weather, cold air can exacerbate their symptoms. So if your little one is sick, it’s definitely wise to bundle them up. But when they’re perfectly healthy? A little short-sleeved freedom won’t hurt.
I like to use these moments to teach my son about natural consequences. Just like kids learn to appreciate dinner when they go to bed hungry, they also learn to dress appropriately when they experience being cold. Lately, I’ve noticed that when I remind him it’s chilly outside, he’s started to say, “I’ll grab my jacket, just in case.” He’s learning from his own experiences, so I don’t have to insist on a jacket every time.
Just the other day, we were getting ready to head to the store, and it was a damp 45 degrees. My son was decked out in a short-sleeved polo, shorts, and flip-flops as if we were headed to a tropical beach. “Have you looked outside?” I asked. He peeked out the window, then promptly went to the coat closet and grabbed his winter coat. Off we went—he looked a bit like a fashion statement with his down jacket paired with shorts and flip-flops, yet he was comfortable.
Sometimes, it’s about allowing kids to make their own choices, even if those choices seem a bit misguided. This approach can foster independence and teach valuable lessons, especially when the stakes aren’t too high.
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In summary, as a parent, it’s important to prioritize your battles wisely. Allowing kids to choose their clothing and learn from the weather can be a valuable lesson in autonomy, provided the conditions are safe.
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