As the chilly season unfolds, it’s time for hot cocoa, cozy evenings, and all the comforts that come with it. However, while everyone else is bundling up, my sons seem to dress for a beach vacation, completely ignoring the biting cold outside.
I’ve been around for over 40 years, and after being a parent for more than 12 of those, I’ve accepted that some things will forever baffle me. For instance, there’s quantum physics, Common Core math, and my kids’ obsession with watching YouTube videos of people unboxing toys. I also scratch my head at how staying up late somehow results in them waking up even earlier than usual. But the biggest enigma? Why my preteen and teenage boys insist on wearing shorts and T-shirts in frigid weather.
To be fair, they don’t often complain about being chilly. They’ve figured out that if they shiver after I’ve reminded them of the freezing temperatures, they face my infamous disapproving glare. So, the “I’m cold” whines? Not happening.
At this point, I’ve given up on pressuring them to dress appropriately. They’ll figure it out when they get cold, right? In theory, yes. But these stubborn kids would rather endure the frostbite than admit that their mother might have been right about wearing a hat and gloves.
Honestly, it’s not their choice of clothing that frustrates me, nor am I overly concerned about them getting cold. What really gets under my skin is the unsolicited advice from the public.
No, random grocery clerk, my son won’t catch a cold just because he isn’t wearing a coat. That’s a myth! If he does get sick, it’ll be from the germ-filled classroom he spends his days in. And yes, dear Aunt Linda, I provide my kids with plenty of warm clothing; they just opt not to wear it. I believe in letting them experience the consequences of their decisions (like being cold) in hopes that it will inspire better choices down the road.
And to the stranger on the street, I can’t simply make my kids wear a coat. My son is 12 and nearly as tall as I am. It would be impossible to force him into a coat, and even if I could, I wouldn’t—it’s all about body autonomy.
One important lesson I’ve learned in parenting is the art of choosing your battles. This one? Not worth dying on. So here we are, in the mid-30s, with frost on the ground and snow looming. My sons are still sporting their shorts and T-shirts while I resist the urge to nag them into wearing proper clothing.
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In summary, while I might not understand my kids’ fashion choices in cold weather, I’ve learned to let them navigate their own experiences, even if it means facing the chill.