I’ve got a spirited little guy. As autumn settles into our Pacific Northwest home and temperatures dip from the 60s to the 50s and even into the 40s, my 7-year-old continues to rock shorts and T-shirts like it’s summer.
“Isn’t it chilly outside? Don’t you want to put on some pants?”
“Nope, I’m good, Mom.”
“How about a long-sleeved shirt?”
Not happening. I’ve stopped asking about a jacket altogether because I know he’ll just say no, again.
Maybe it’s because he’s my youngest, or perhaps it’s my laid-back nature, but I really don’t mind his clothing choices. When it’s cold, I usually suggest he wear something warmer. If we’ll be outside for a while, I’ll remind him to grab a jacket, but I won’t force him to wear it.
I’ve seen other parents take a hardline stance on this issue. While I don’t consider myself overly lenient, I prefer to choose my battles wisely. Getting into a tug-of-war over pants or coats just isn’t worth it to me. If he feels cold, he’ll eventually decide to put on something warmer. If he refuses and gets chilly, he’ll learn from that experience. As long as it’s not freezing outside, he won’t catch his death from the cold.
Curious about the wisdom of bundling up, I did some digging. It turns out that aside from the risk of hypothermia from prolonged exposure (which is unlikely in everyday life), letting kids go without jackets doesn’t increase their chances of getting sick. The belief that cold weather leads to colds or pneumonia is mainly an old wives’ tale. Kids catch colds from viruses, not from chilly air. Sure, more people get sick in the winter, but that’s due to being cooped up indoors with germs, not the temperature outside. It’s the shared air with sick individuals that spreads illness—not the cold itself.
I did discover that if a child is already under the weather, being outside in the cold might exacerbate their symptoms. It’s not a hard and fast rule, but I know I don’t enjoy being out in the cold when I’m sick. So, if your child is feeling unwell, by all means, bundle them up. But if they’re feeling healthy? A little short-sleeved freedom won’t hurt.
I believe in using weather preparation as a lesson in natural consequences. Just like a kid may learn to eat their dinner if they go to bed hungry, they’ll figure out to wear pants and jackets if they find themselves uncomfortably cold a few times. Recently, when I mentioned it was cold outside, my son replied, “I’ll bring my jacket, just in case.” He’s learned from experience, so I rarely need to remind him anymore. Some lessons are best learned firsthand. The jacket/no jacket situation is a safe way for kids to exercise their independence and experience the consequences of their choices, provided it’s not literally freezing outside.
Just this morning, as we were getting ready to head to the store, it was a brisk 45 degrees and raining. My son was dressed like we were headed to a beach party—short-sleeved polo, shorts, and flip-flops.
“Did you peek outside?” I asked. He glanced out the window, then trotted over to the coat closet and threw on his winter coat. And off we went to the store—he sported a down jacket with his shorts and flip-flops.
He was perfectly comfortable.
I didn’t say a word.
In conclusion, allowing kids to make their own clothing choices can lead to valuable lessons about comfort and independence. Instead of fighting over coats, let them learn through experience, all while staying safe in mild weather. For more insights on parenting and health, you can check resources like Genetics and IVF Institute, and if you’re curious about fertility boosters, this site offers great information. Also, don’t forget to explore more about our privacy policies here.