Getting (And Keeping) Clothes on My Preschooler

I don't believe in corporal punishment either, but I do think you can have certain expectations and rules in place and stand firm on them. You can't keep her from taking her own clothes off and going naked in the house but you can tell her we are going out and you need to be dressed, period. Don't present it like it's an option for her to stay home because she doesn't want to wear clothes. She's 2 and you still need to be in charge. I will throw it out there that maybe she has some sensory issues and certain fabrics, tags, etc. may bother her. But she needs to learn that she has to follow the certain rules like being dressed when we go outside, just like she is going to have to follow certain rules everywhere. Maybe you could designate a certain time every day as "naked time" where she gets to run around nude, as long as she keeps her clothes on the rest of the time. Offer her an incentive, like a sticker or M&Ms, for keeping her shoes and socks on in the car. Give her 2 simple choices for outfits and socks and let her pick what she wants.

I don't know anything about "love and logic," so forgive me if my suggestions are in any way contradictory.

One thing that really helps my kids (2 1/2 and 5) get ready faster in the morning or prepare themselves to leave my parents house or some place they hate leaving is to give a 15 minutes "heads up." I try to be very matter-of-fact. I'm kind and firm but don't show much emotion.

You could try something like, "in 15 minutes we need to get in the car to go to dance class. Remember, we always wear clothes when we leave the house."

When my niece was about 2 and we were all at my parents' house for Christmas she asked my sister why she had to get dressed for church. My sister simply said, "You can't wear pajamas to church. That's just silly!" My niece laughed and the saying stuck. Eight years later, she and I both use it from time to time. My son thinks it's funny when I say something like, "You can't go outside without shoes on. That's just silly!"

I would try to be matter-of-fact. If she is having trouble complying, try to come up with your own cutesie reaction. She needs to know, this is the deal. Clothes are worn outside of the house. Period. But you don't need to be mean or angry or oppressive about it. Firm but kind.

Good luck!

What worked here was that the dinosaurs do NOT play with boys who's winky is not covered up!

Sounds like it's becoming a contest. I agree that you need to offer her time when SHE gets to choose, but that you stick to your parental guns when it's YOUR time to decide.

Sometimes, things will come up in our house where my husband and I tell our kids they don't get a vote but we do want to hear their opinion. Other times, it's their issue to decide. And then, sometimes, we make the choice and really don't need or want to hear their view. You need to decide for your own family which of these viewpoints to use and when.

Hang in. Like most things, this will just be a phase that passes. Still, you might need to put your foot down and not ask her what she thinks or wants.

It's a stage that may develop into a personality trait for later in life, I know I have friends that I "always" call ahead of time to give them time to get dressed before I drop by.

I like L&L too. I think to stop this and make it not a choice you need to put stuff on her that she cannot manipulate. Such as overalls, button the shoulders and pin them from underneath or put them on her backwards. Put her in a onsie and then some sort of outfit that buttons or snaps in the back. Anything that cannot be done by herself is good.

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i would simply tell her (because she is smart enough) that big girls that wear underwear need to wear clothes. if she doesnt want to wear clothes you will have to get her a diaper and baby clothes for her because running around naked is a baby thing and shes a big girl.
my daughter is 4 and still runs around the house in her underwear. but when its time to leave or we have company over there must be clothes on. she has even stripped down at a couple friends houses (in which it was ok because neither of us minded).
its not really innapropriate as long as she is in the house but leaving the house she should have clothes on.

My 5 year old would probably run around naked if I let him. Mostly I use the "it's cold (outside, at night, etc)." Also he has very comfortable clothes for at home (t-shirts with no tags, sweat pants, etc). But sometimes I have to be pretty firm about getting dressed and occasionally threaten consequences (usually a toy in time out). He knows at 5 you can't go out without being dressed or go into a store or restraunt without shoes (but being barefoot outside in warm weather is usually okay). It may take a while to fight this battle.

Keep doing what you're doing. She'll get over it eventually. Keep putting clothes on her. =)