Woudl you let your toddler wear footie pajamas to Target? - Page 4

[mrspineau]

I just feel that, if other people that I see when I leave the house are important enough to see me when I look my best, then my family is too.  I feel more awake and ready to go, if we were invited somewhere or had to go out, then we are ready and I don't have to rush around to get everyone ready.  I think that it's a good habit to have, and one worth teaching to my children.

Originally Posted by MusicianDad 

What is the purpose of getting dressed if you aren't going anywhere? I am genuinely curious. It's not like anyone is gonna see you in your pj's or anything. And sometimes it's nice to just hang out in them.

[waiting2bemommy]

haha, I saw this thread earlier and was all "I'm going back later to post that pajamas are for in the house!!!!" And then ds was going potty and missed and splashed pee on his jeans, and then I discovered that every single pair of jeans in the house was dirty.

So guess what ds wore to the store this afternoon? You guessed it. Brown and green dinosaur pants, with a blue hoodie and black and red jordans. No socks or underwear, either. If it had not been a case of HAVING to drop dp off at work and HAVING to go buy disposable diapers for dd because right now we can't wash anything I would not have taken him out looking like that.

I generally DO make him change into at least sweats or track pants or something comfy but not straight up pajamas. But obviously, things happen and I don't think going out in footed pj's really THAT serious.

[*bejeweled*]

No.

[EviesMom]

I would let them, but I wouldn't let them walk around the parking lot or store without shoes on. They do pj day at least a couple of times a year at the local public school, and at different preschools, so I don't think anyone would notice beyond commenting "Oh, must be pajama day at school!" 

I've taken both kids out a couple of times this winter in footie pjs/nightgown, coat and snow pants, snow boots, hat and gloves. Of course, no one can tell under all the winter gear, so no comments!

They're warm enough, and it was the fastest way to get the dog out for a walk in the morning. Her kidneys are failing so she has to go out much more frequently and if DH is out of town or can't do it in the morning due to leaving at the crack of dawn...

[MrsBone]

lol, love this!

Originally Posted by Chamomile Girl 

My kid can wear whatever he wants. Dress codes...ALL dress codes are lame and society should bite me.

[MusicianDad]

Originally Posted by mrspineau 

I just feel that, if other people that I see when I leave the house are important enough to see me when I look my best, then my family is too.  I feel more awake and ready to go, if we were invited somewhere or had to go out, then we are ready and I don't have to rush around to get everyone ready.  I think that it's a good habit to have, and one worth teaching to my children.

 

The second part make a bit of sense. The first though, not really. I get dressed before leaving the house because the people I meet when I do leave aren't important enough to be allowed to see me in my pj's. (Neighbours not withstanding, they get to see my pajama's when I go get the mail.)
 

[sdm1024]

Totally would have let her wear them. *shrug* this is def one of those issues I tend to let go.

[mrspineau]

See now I feel like, why should my family be reserved for my scruffy lazy look?

Originally Posted by MusicianDad 

The second part make a bit of sense. The first though, not really. I get dressed before leaving the house because the people I meet when I do leave aren't important enough to be allowed to see me in my pj's. (Neighbours not withstanding, they get to see my pajama's when I go get the mail.)
 

[MrsBone]

It's a danger and germ thing for me. Danger because he could step on anything, and what if it was glass from something that broke in the grocery store, I mean, anything. What if some kid had a potty accident and they hadn't come to clean it up yet? That would just GROSS me out if he stepped in something like that. I'm sorry, I'd allow jammies, but shoes would have to be worn. I also don't like my kiddo to walk outside barefoot unless it's at home for the same reason. But then again my son's only 2, and doesn't have much of an opinion about it yet, so I may change my mind if it becomes a power struggle, of course :)

Originally Posted by Channelle 

Can I ask why all of you said as long as she wore shoes? My toddler barely ever wears shoes...Just if she's walking around outside, and even then she still doesn't as long as the ground is ok...She's much more happier wearing just something on her feet like footie jammies or just socks. Is this a danger or germ thing?

[CrunchyChristianMama]

Originally Posted by mrspineau 

I just feel that, if other people that I see when I leave the house are important enough to see me when I look my best, then my family is too.  I feel more awake and ready to go, if we were invited somewhere or had to go out, then we are ready and I don't have to rush around to get everyone ready.  I think that it's a good habit to have, and one worth teaching to my children.

 

My sister is this way too.  Everyone in the house is dressed before they come down for breakfast.  That would drive me crazy.  I love lounging around in comfy clothes.  She just doesn't feel awake and like she can start her day though until she's dressed and her hair is done.  And before you think she's change her mind once she has a few kids - she has 4 boys 5 and under!

The shirt she ended up putting on yesterday (that she originally didn't want to wear) instead of wearing her jammies has been on her since and she is now running around in just it and underwear.

[justKate]

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrunchyChristianMama 

My sister is this way too.  Everyone in the house is dressed before they come down for breakfast.  That would drive me crazy.  I love lounging around in comfy clothes.  She just doesn't feel awake and like she can start her day though until she's dressed and her hair is done.  And before you think she's change her mind once she has a few kids - she has 4 boys 5 and under!

The shirt she ended up putting on yesterday (that she originally didn't want to wear) instead of wearing her jammies has been on her since and she is now running around in just it and underwear.

Priorities. Fighting about clothing is not one of mine.  DH and I both like to be comfy too, although he thinks it is distasteful for me to leave the house in anything that resembles pajama pants. I think it is inappropriate for him to wear flip flops when it is below 40 degrees, so we accomodate each other.  To each his own, right?

[JollyGG]

I would totally let her wear pajamas to target.

[hildare]

yes.  with shoes or boots/whatever.  but my parenting choices tend to run along the lines of "forgodsakesanythingbutscreamingyesyesyes"

[Greenlea]

My child can wear whatever he wants, I don't care and I don't want to fight about it, seriously - and he is only 2 as well.  So far we haven't had this issue, but I really don't see it as an issue if it does come up.  And honestly there are times I just leave him in his jammies and we go all sorts of places.  There's no way I can stop my child from wanting to wear jammies to the store anyways, because I will wear my jammies to the store as well (and I'm talking about polka dot / dream girl / crazy colored jammes!)

I've never been one to care about what society thinks they can dictate I should or shouldn't be wearing, and neither has my DH.  We were skateboarding punk rockers in H.S. with multi colored hair, tattoos, crazy clothes, etc anyways so I can only HOPE my children have just as much creativity when it comes to their clothing choices too.  I believe our clothes, and our hair, are ways to express ourselves and our creativity.  A child can be outrageous or creative for only so long with their clothes choices anyways before they need to grow up and be adults and go to work in their suits or ties or khakis or highheels, etc. 

I remember at my Grandpa's funeral, my brother was lik 3-4 or something.  My mom had a suit for him to wear but he refused to wear the dress shirt.  So he went to the funeral in suit pants and coat with a tie dye t-shirt underneath instead.  He was fine, the world didn't end, no one made negative comments, and he isn't emotionally disturbed now that he's an adult. 

[HollyBearsMom]

Can some one please explain to me how pajamas are "inside" clothes and sweats and tee are "outside clothes"?   I get the footie part of a small child's jammies not being acceptable footwear in rain/snow, etc but how are other styles of children's PJ's unacceptable in public?

And why can you wear "outside" clothes indoors but not "inside" clothes outdoors?

[TwoMoons]

I don't necessarily get the "inside clothes" and "outside clothes" thing either, barring footies for outside walking of course.  How is a pj set for a kiddo really all that different from a t-shirt and stretchy pants for a kiddo, for example?  It has to do with others' expectations.  I think anyone who is bothered by seeing a toddler in pjs needs more to do with their time, personally...

I did want to come back to respond to the if-we-don't-teach-proper-behavior-at-2-when-will-we-this-is-what's-wrong-with-coddled-youth-today thing.  My 3.5 year-old may wear pajamas for days on end, asserting her choices for her body, but she is a kind child, polite, considerate of others, says "thank you Daddy" when she is asleep at night and he pulls her covers back up... I think my time and energy has been much better invested teaching her and modeling her these traits than fighting daily over trying to control *her body*.  I don't think society is going to come screaming to a halt if we don't force our toddlers into "appropriate" attire.  If it really matters, like a wedding, I explain to her that because it is a very special time, it will make people she cares about happy to see her in desired attire, or that wearing her pajamas might make them sad, and she changes with alacrity.  I am not prepared to try and tell her society's whims are more important than her deep cares on a regular basis though.  As long as she's covered and safe, I'm fine with her wardrobe choices. 

[Just1More]

My kids wear pjs to the store sometimes, too.  Mostly, though, we don't.  I agree that people ought to look presentable when you are out and about.  And I try to look presentable for my dh by the time he comes home.  I have 4 littles, too, though, and somedays I just try to switch to new pajamas before I go to bed.  It's just life, whatever. 

But, to me the issue with your morning isn't about whether or not it was okay to wear pajamas to Target.  The issue was how you want your interactions to go with your dd.  If she was being hysterical and impossible, I wouldn't have let it go without a serious discussion.  I think those interactions set us up for more like it.  Yes, I know she's two.  I am on my third two year old, and I know that they can be unreasonable.  But, I don't have kids that throw fits all over the place either.  We just don't do that around here.  I think they ought to be allowed to express their opinions, and mine all do.  But they do it nicely, and if they don't, we don't talk.  And two is not too young to learn that either.

Just my two cents.

[Just1More]

Originally Posted by CrunchyChristianMama 

My sister is this way too.  Everyone in the house is dressed before they come down for breakfast.  That would drive me crazy.  I love lounging around in comfy clothes.  She just doesn't feel awake and like she can start her day though until she's dressed and her hair is done.  And before you think she's change her mind once she has a few kids - she has 4 boys 5 and under!

The shirt she ended up putting on yesterday (that she originally didn't want to wear) instead of wearing her jammies has been on her since and she is now running around in just it and underwear.

Uhm...your sister?  :D

[StephandOwen]

With a typical child- yup, I would have no problem letting them stay in their jammies to go to the store once in awhile.

With my ds- NO WAY. Why? Because he has autism and when he does it once he thinks it's okay to do allll the time and then it goes further and further until it's no longer socially acceptable. THEN it's harder than h*ll to get him back to wearing clothes. Take, for instance, an example from when he was in preschool (age 5). He was having a lot of sensory/autism issues and wouldn't wear pants. He just wanted to wear some of his flannel pj bottoms. His teacher said "no problem". However, that soon evolved into wearing pj pants and tops. And then he wouldn't wear those pj pants, he would only wear the tight cotton pj's. With no underwear underneath. And then he wouldn't wear socks. Or shoes. Only slippers. It was a HUGE downhill slope for him and it took us quite awhile to dig our way out of that (it was NOT appropriate for him to be wearing the tight cotton pj's with no underwear on to school). It took a couple weeks of being super mean and hardcore (his therapist came in every day and worked with him the entire time he was at preschool for almost 2 weeks until he accepted that he had to wear the clothes and shoes) but eventually we got him wearing clothes again. Our rule now is that pj's are for in the house, clothes must be worn outside the house. No if's, and's or butt's. The ONLY time we stretch this rule is if ds is ill and going to the dr or when he's been admitted to the hospital (a couple times over the past couple years).

[Honey693]

If DD is wearing clothes I'm happy.  If it's jeans and a sweater or snowman footy jammies and a tutu I don't care.  I do make her put shoes on though.  I refuse to fight about clothes unless it's a safety issue, like shoes in parking lots.