Fights getting dressed

[mama Adhiambo]

My daughter fights kicking and crying and rolling and all that entails and takes it back off while you are still putting the clothes on. It is better if she picks the clothes out but still she fights. It doesn't matter if it is pajama's of daytime clothes. It's way to cold let her be naked. Help! This started when we moved 3 months ago (in October) and our schedules changed. I started working evenings instead of mornings. She's used to the schedule by now but this issue hasn't resolved itself. Any Ideas?

[stormborn]

Eh, don't worry about your schedule.. I think it's just the nature of toddlers. I've minimized it with my 2.5 yo by letting her go naked unless we need to be somewhere and trying to let her choose. Or, best of all, getting the older kids to dress her because she doesn't resist them at all;) There are still tantrums about it but they do grow out of it eventually!

[crunchy_mommy]

I bet it's just a phase that happened to coincide with your change in schedule -- don't blame yourself!!

I'd suggest turning the heat up a little & letting her go naked. DS pretty much is always in just a diaper or lightweight pants at home. Obviously he still has to get dressed to go out, but then it's more purposeful and he doesn't fight it as much.

Also helps if we play games ("Where'd your arm go??? Oh there it is!!"), sing silly made-up songs about getting dressed, or make up little stories while we're dressing him.

And go with super simple clothes when possible -- things you can just pull over her head rather than onesies or shirts with buttons etc.

[Courtney-Ostaff]

Perfectly normal. My daughter is generally naked at home.  If I psych her up for going out, she knows that she has to wear clothes out of the house, so she's more willing ot put them on then

[faithrainbow]

One thing you could try is go into her room with a relaxed attitude.  Sit down somewhere and snuggle her onto your lap, and read a book, or tell a story, and start talking about what's going to happen next.  Come up with something that you know she'll want to do, and get excited with her about doing it.  Then say, "Yes!  Let's do it!  Let's hop into your clothes like a quick little bunny, then you'll be able to (help set the table for breakfast, get something special for daddy, whatever it is)."  Then while you dress her, talk about your plans for afterwards, instead of focussing on dressing.  Then go and do that fun thing.  It might or might not work, but it's worth a try!

[Spring Lily]

Originally Posted by crunchy_mommy 

Also helps if we play games ("Where'd your arm go??? Oh there it is!!"), sing silly made-up songs about getting dressed, or make up little stories while we're dressing him.

And go with super simple clothes when possible -- things you can just pull over her head rather than onesies or shirts with buttons etc.

This is our tactic. I get out a few choices and let them pick their outfits out. They rarely match, but I don't care!

I also find that if they start getting into the independent stage, they don't want people doing things to them, so I'll challenge them--"can you get your hands in your sleeves by yourself?" "Can you help me put on your socks?" "Can you pull up your pants by yourself?" Of course I gently do the majority of the work, but they just love the concept of doing it by themselves, or "SELF!" as I always hear. That is a big motivator at this age, in my experience.

[mama Adhiambo]

we do try to make it a game with her too. We sing the "hokey pokey" and say things like "are fingers going to come out here?" But even if we are going to go somewhere fun, like go to her cousins' house or something she still resists. I try not to fight with her about it unless we actually have to leave. So I'll tell her Okay we won't go to the library we'll stay home. Sometimes that works and sometimes it doesn't. I'm glad to hear that it is probably a stage, because she doesn't actually like to be naked really. She just doesn't want to change clothes, but it's easier to get her clothes off and sometimes she does take them off herself and then she's naked or in her underwear or something. Luckily, there are two outfits that she will always put on no problem so if we absolutely have to go I offer one of those. - but sometimes those are dirty and it's getting frustrating dealing with this every day. Fighting with my child. One day I told her she could nurse for 5 minutes if she got dressed - that worked.

[mama Adhiambo]

I'll try the "Can you do it by yourself" thing.

[faithrainbow]

Since she's into saying No, you might try a little reverse psychology with her.  "I wonder if you could do it by yourself?  Do you think?" (look at her excitedly for a second, then) "No, no, I'm sure you could never do that.  It's too hard."  (pause for a moment, then) "Well, maybe!  Do you think you could?  No....."  Then if she does it, show complete amazement, like you thought she'd never be able to do it.  I've used this to get picky eaters to eat their entire bowl, for dressing to go outside, for going to the potty by themselves (I have a home daycare).  Lots of kids love it.

[brennan]

I used to chase dd around the house growling (playfully) and then (playfully) tackle her with clothes, I could usually get one item on at a time and then would chase her again.  She was nakey all summer so it was quite an adjustment when we moved somewhere that is SO MUCH COLDER.  She hated it so so so much, but has since gotten used to it.  I know you said that she fusses for both daytime and nightime, but just make sure that her clothes are comfy for her