My two-year-old daughter is refusing to wear mittens and snow pants. I am a very patient person and I try all my tricks, calmly, evenly and ever so carefully trying to con her into her suit. However, it ends in a screaming match every day. This is not an isolated incident; she needs to get dressed at least three times a day as her 4-four-year-old brother needs to be put on and off the bus and at some point, we need to play outside for fresh air. I am at my wits' end with her. I just want her to get dressed and she makes the whole process take an hour instead of two minutes. Once outside she is usually fine but until that point, she is unbearable. Please help.
First off, I'd reduce the number of screaming matches by incorporating outside playtime into one of the trips of taking the brother to the bus. That means there's one less time trying to get your daughter into a snowsuit. Needless to say, I'd look for or buy the easiest snowsuit to put on and preferably one with built-in mittens, if you can find such a suit.
Give your daughter plenty of time to get into her snowsuit and try some reverse psychology: "I bet you can't get your snowsuit on by yourself"
If that doesn't work, make the trip outside to see her brother more appealing so there's more motivation to get her snowsuit on. If you're thinking, "I shouldn't have to do that," you're right, but at two and a half years of age, reasoning doesn't work.
I'm not suggesting you bribe your daughter but rather make the bus trip a fun trip, something she looks forward to.
Lastly, turn getting the snowsuit on into a game: "I bet I can get my snowsuit on quicker than you!" Forget about head-on power struggles since a wiggly or limp youngster is sure to win. And don't forget about peer pressure -- invite her friends over and have them get their snowsuits on together.
Good luck,
CT
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