As autumn rolls in and temperatures in the Pacific Northwest drop from the 60s to the 50s and even into the 40s, my spirited 7-year-old insists on sporting shorts and T-shirts every single day, whether we’re indoors or out.
“Isn’t it chilly outside? Aren’t you going to put on some pants?”
“Nope, I’m good, Mom.”
“How about a long-sleeved shirt?”
Not a chance. I don’t even bother suggesting a jacket anymore; it’s an exercise in futility.
Maybe it’s because he’s my youngest, or perhaps it’s my naturally laid-back attitude, but I’m not concerned about his clothing choices. When it’s cold, I typically recommend he wear something warmer and I make sure he grabs a jacket if we’ll be outside for an extended period. However, I don’t force him to wear it.
I’ve seen other parents take a firmer stance on this matter. While I don’t consider myself overly lenient, I pick my battles carefully. Engaging in a power struggle over pants or jackets just isn’t worth it to me. If he’s feeling cold, he’ll eventually choose to wear something warmer. If he insists on going without and ends up chilly, he’ll learn from the experience. As long as temperatures aren’t dangerously low, he won’t get seriously ill from a little cold.
Interestingly, experts agree with this perspective. I was curious about the rationale behind ensuring kids bundle up, and my research led me to understand that, apart from rare cases of hypothermia from prolonged exposure to extreme cold, allowing kids to forgo jackets doesn’t increase their chances of getting sick. The belief that cold weather causes colds or pneumonia is largely a myth. Kids catch colds from viruses, not from the outside temperature. While illness rates do rise in winter, this is primarily due to people gathering indoors in close quarters, sharing germs rather than being exposed to low temperatures.
I did discover that if a child is already sick, the cold can exacerbate their symptoms. It’s not a hard rule, but I know I don’t enjoy being outside in the cold when I’m not feeling well. So if your child is under the weather, by all means, bundle them up! But if they’re healthy? A short-sleeved outfit won’t do any harm.
I see preparing for varying weather conditions as an opportunity for lessons in natural consequences. Just as a child learns to eat their dinner after going to bed hungry, they’ll understand the need for pants and a jacket after experiencing discomfort from the cold. I’ve noticed that when I inform my son of the chilly weather, he often responds with, “I’ll grab my jacket, just in case.” He’s encountered enough uncomfortable moments from his own choices to know better, so I rarely have to insist on a jacket anymore. Some lessons must be learned firsthand, and the jacket scenario is a safe way for kids to exercise their independence while experiencing the outcomes of their choices—assuming it’s not freezing outside.
Just today, as we prepared to head to the store, the temperature was a brisk 45 degrees and rain was falling. My son was dressed as if we were on a tropical vacation—a short-sleeved polo, shorts, and flip-flops. “Have you checked outside?” I asked. He glanced out the window, walked to the coat closet, and donned his winter coat. That’s how he ventured out—cozy down jacket paired with shorts and flip-flops. And surprisingly, he was perfectly comfortable. I didn’t say a word.
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Summary
This article discusses the author’s relaxed approach to her child’s clothing choices, particularly during colder weather. Rather than engage in arguments over wearing appropriate attire, she believes in letting her child learn through experience. The piece also dispels myths about cold weather causing illness and highlights the importance of natural consequences in parenting.