As a pediatrician, I encounter various parenting styles every day, particularly regarding clothing choices in changing weather. Living in the Pacific Northwest, I’ve seen firsthand how children can be resistant to dressing appropriately as temperatures drop from the 60s to the 40s.
Take, for instance, my spirited 7-year-old son, Max. Despite the chilly weather, he insists on wearing shorts and T-shirts, regardless of whether we’re indoors or outdoors. “It’s freezing outside; don’t you want to wear some pants?” I ask, to which he simply replies, “No way, Mom.” I’ve learned not to even suggest a jacket anymore, knowing his answer will remain the same.
Perhaps because I’ve navigated this terrain with my other children, or maybe due to my laid-back nature, I don’t feel the need to impose strict dress codes. When it’s cold, I usually recommend warmer attire, and I encourage him to take a jacket along if we’ll be outside for an extended period. However, I believe in letting him make his own choices. If he’s chilly, he’ll likely make a different decision next time. I don’t worry excessively about him catching a cold; as long as it’s not freezing, he’ll be fine.
Curious about the common belief that not dressing warmly leads to illness, I did some research. Experts agree that unless a child is exposed to extreme cold for long periods—hypothermia is rare in everyday situations—there’s no direct link between cold weather and catching colds. Instead, colds are caused by viruses, not by the temperature itself. While it’s true people often get sick more in winter, this is largely due to spending more time indoors and close to others, sharing germs rather than the weather itself.
Interestingly, I found that if a child is already experiencing illness, being outdoors in the cold might exacerbate their symptoms, but this is generally not a concern for healthy kids. So, if your child is feeling well, letting them wear short sleeves won’t pose any harm.
I like to view preparing for the weather as a valuable lesson about natural consequences. Just as a child learns the importance of dinner when they go to bed hungry, they’ll discover the need for warmer clothing after feeling uncomfortable in the cold. Recently, when I mentioned it was cold outside, Max responded, “I’ll grab my jacket, just in case.” He’s started to understand the impact of his choices, so I rarely need to insist he bring a jacket anymore. Some lessons are best learned through experience.
Just today, as we prepared to head to the store, the temperature was 45 degrees and rainy. Max was dressed as if we were heading to the beach—short-sleeved shirt, shorts, and flip-flops. “Have you checked outside?” I asked him. He glanced out the window, then promptly retrieved his winter coat, and off we went—his down jacket paired with shorts and flip-flops. Remarkably, he felt perfectly comfortable, and I didn’t see the need to comment.
Navigating these daily parenting challenges reminds me of the importance of autonomy and the learning process. For more insights on preparing for family growth and parenting topics, check out this article as well as Cryobaby’s at-home insemination kit, which is an excellent resource for those considering home insemination. Furthermore, Resolve offers valuable information on family-building options, including intrauterine insemination.
In summary, I choose to let my son learn about dressing for the weather on his own terms, trusting that he’ll make the right decisions as he experiences the consequences of his choices.