Holiday break is over! Back to the grind. Back to getting kids dressed. Back to looking up tips for morning routine… things that will avoid a looming wipeout of my positive attitude for the brand new day in one swift screech.
The other day I got a door slammed in my face by my usually-agreeable 5 year old. My FIVE year old. We were having an argument about how she needed to wear long sleeves (and NOT a tank top) because it was cold outside. For no rational reason, I became livid. She became beyond unreasonable. No. You’re not wearing a tank top today. Because it’s too cold outside to wear a tank top today! It was like there was a 15 year old in my house. She wanted the tank top. I stood my ground. She screamed at me and slammed the door in my face. (She then got both of her favorite dolls promptly taken away for the next 24 hours. No, I did not give them back despite her hysterical crying about how sorry she was and how she was going to be nice from now on. Sorry cutie. You slam a door, the dolls are GONE for 24 hours.) I knew I was right but I also wanted to cry. She was crying. I then told her (and her sister) to get their glitzy fuzzy cozy boots on and get in the car before I took away more dolls.
Fabulous sparkle ‘fuzzies’ courtesy of FabKids.com
What a fabulous way to kick off the morning routines for 2016. I’m guessing and hoping we’ve all been there. 5 year olds. Who knew.
And let’s not forget about my 3 year old: How she insists on only wearing nightgowns around the house… and to the grocery store… and outside to play… and to preschool (although I don’t let her get away with that one). Nightgowns equal happiness. No nightgown, no happy. Even with an oversized princess doll. Threenagers.
Dresses & shoes courtesy FabKids.com
I guess these girls have their own style and here I am jacking it all up. I’ve asked my mom about whether my sister and I were ‘challenging’ to dress when we were small kids. “You two were awful,” she’s told me (more than once). Well then.
The one major tip I’ve noticed that actually helps quell some of the irrationality surrounding which-top-what-pants-I-don’t-want-those-shoes attitudes? Letting them pick one item of clothing to wear the night before. A shirt, a pair of pants, certain socks, even a tutu… you pick ONE, Mommy picks the rest according to dress codes and weather patterns and general propriety concerning participating in a classroom in winter.
Outfits courtesy FabKids.com
FabKids.com gives moms and kids controllable options to pick and choose the most on trend looks for the whole family. Looks that are affordable, durable, expressive, fun, sparkly and hip. Looks that my girls actually dig without drama. Like magic. Who says you can’t play outside in sequins? You CAN. Because we HAVE. I still get some mini-sass here and there, but I’m not expecting everything to evaporate overnight… I’m calling this a win.
If you’ve got a favorite tip for getting everyone dressed and out the door in a civilized way, please leave a comment below and be entered to WIN a $50 gift certificate for FabKids.com, the children’s fashion brand and personalized shopping site that creates outfits for boys and girls. Each month, FabKids launches a collection of on-trend, age appropriate outfits and shoes that are perfectly styled and durable enough to withstand playground fun all year long. FabKids also gives VIP Members extra access to competitive pricing…
Even if you don’t have a tried and true tip for conquering chaotic morning routines, leave a comment below and enter to WIN anyways. We’re cool and accepting here. Contest open now through Monday January 11, 2016, 11:59pmPST. (Continental U.S., Hawaii & Alaska only.) Winner will be announced Tuesday January 12, 2016.
DISCLOSURE: I was provided complimentary FabKids and JustFab outfits for purposes of this post and various television appearances. All opinions and experiences are my own.
I want one for ME ?
My tip is put the dress on the bedroom door the night before with tights, gloves, shoes, purse you plan to use near it. I know that if I have to get dressed for an early morning event my stress level is less if I have all the elements of my dressy outfit figured out before I go to bed. It also helps to prevent doubt about am I picking the right tie, and such from getting into my head.
My 3 year old ready insists on being a dress and boots kinda girl. I want to be my race her fun choices and allow her to be creative with her ensembles… Hey, Punky Brewster was cute right?
My 3 yr old is already a dress and boots kind of girl. She already has an opinion. I want to embrace her style and creativity. Hey, Punky Brewster was cute right?
Punky Brewster WAS cute!!! (Different colored socks, remember?)
My son only wants to wear shorts and shirts and it is 35 degrees here! Such a battle! SO, I put sweat pants on and the shorts on over them- lol. It is definitely a unique look:) Thankfully, my little girl is wanting to wear pants but isn’t a fan of long sleeves.. Is it summer yet – lol??
Summer! Summer! Please send summer to Becca’s house asap!!! Love it… these kids of ours…
I don’t know much about civility but I basically check the weather the night before and put their clothes down to socks and shoes on the coffee table every night and I let them pick out of options I’ve picked. My 4 year old would look like a big red crayon if I let him dress himself because he would wear a red shirt, red pants, and red converse. So I pick a few shirts and let him pick one and work my way down. The boys “approve” it the night before so it eliminates that argument in the morning.
We have bigger things to argue about I the morning – like eating – something (anything!)
Mornings with 3 boys under the age of 5 are super fun! -said no one ever 😉
Awwwww — I do love a kid who likes his red crayons! Too cute. I agree — breakfast can be a whole lotta drama! Hang in there!
I have my ten year old daughter, Ms. Sydnee Rose, who’s motto is “who says our clothes HAVE to match?”, she even followed it up with “remember mom, school is not a fashion show~we are there to learn!” So, instead of arguing with her about her zebra print pants, floral shirt, black boots, and yellow bow, I let her wear her daily fashion statement-as long as it is within dress code…not, without snapping a photo first! Then, there’s my nine year old son, Brenham, who thinks it’s summer year around! He wants to wear shorts all the time and puts up a fight when I tell him to put his jacket on during the winter months. After numerous challenging mornings, we finally found success! I told him if he wants to wear shorts when it is cold outside, then he needs to wear his jacket and beanie. But, if he wears pants on cold days, he has to layer his shirts, wear his sweater, and his beanie. Score!!!
Your daughter is amazing with her quote! (I hate to say it, but she is right…)
I give my almost four year old a few options and she picks one which usually works….same for hair styles!
Ah…. hairstyles are a a whole other story!
We pick out 5 complete outfits on Sunday and she can pick and choose out of those what to wear each day. Otherwise? I don’t think both of us would survive.
Love this idea too! FIVE… pick what you want, when you want. No cuts, no buts, no coconuts…
My 3 year olld grandson went through a stage when he would not changeI from his PJ tops to a shirt in the am to go to school. Solution. Put on a shirt he could wear to school at night and slippped on appropriate bottoms when his night diaper was changed. A win-win. I remember when his dad was about the same age. I took him to school in PJ’s with his clothes in a bag. I think I have more tolerance as a nana.
Jan this is brilliant!!! Grandmas know all the answers… you’re putting us all to shame! (Although I am now tempted to send my kids to school with clothes in a bag! Too funny!)
So many cute outfits.
You did an excellent job on KCAL. Your dress looked very nice.
thank you michael!
Madison started that at 5 as well! From then on, I only buy clothing she approves of and deems “cute enough” and then I let her choose the night before accordance to weather, down to the shoes lol Chase is SO much easier! I couldn’t imagine another girl, you’re a rockstar! I fear for her tween/teen years, she’s so emotional already! Welp! Haha
Oh my! Well at least we are all in this together… haha! I guess the days of “here I got this for you, wear this” are OVER for us moms of girls!
I feel ya…I lay out two options and see which ones she takes…now hair and toothbrushing are a whole other story?!!!
aaahhhhh….. the toothbrushing is always quite an experience. diggin’ the 2 options. pick one and DONE.
The USMC wifey in my LOVES picking out clothes the night before so we have zero squabbles with “I don’t like that.”
ha! love it! SMART.