By Kimberley on Wednesday, November 2, 2005 - 10:55 am:

Hi everyone, just wondered if anyone has any advice about refusing to get dressed as Elsbeth would run around nude all day if I let her, regardless of the temperature. She loves putting on her shoes and socks, but doesn't like putting tops on. I tell/ask her if she wants to get dressed and could try half a dozen times without success. I don't like forcing her. Any advice appreciated.
Thanks Kimberley

By Amanda on Wednesday, November 2, 2005 - 11:16 am:

Yeah Jesse has been like this it seems forever - since he was able to roll over I think. Not interested..too many other things to be doing than getting dress it seems lol. I just try to be quick where as other times he just fights me the entire time and ends up crying...hmmm
There was a breif period of time where he would lay still to have his nappy changed recently but alas no longer.
I dont have any suggestions sorry. Perhaps just a phase as with all the others.
I always hear ask them to engage in the activity and well we do this but unless I can do it in 5secs hes off...
I guess just do your best. Sorry Im no help Amanda

By Michelle on Wednesday, November 2, 2005 - 12:12 pm:

Yeah, Taliver loves being naked too. If I make a chasing game or a game out of boo, Taliver will come to me to get dressed. Other things I do, is dress him near an open window (especially good on bin day because he loves watching the garbage truck)or while watching t.v or while david reads to him. Taliver loves putting on shoes and socks too. He says shhooos and shhocks LOL
To be honest, sometimes I just do it, get it over with as quick as possible, and then give him a cuddle and praise afterwards (though once its over hes usually fine anyway)
Hope that gives you some ideas.
Michelle

By Kimberley on Wednesday, November 2, 2005 - 12:41 pm:

Thanks girls, good tips re being quick and offering distraction. It's reassuring your littlies are similar. That's very cute Michelle shhooos and shhocks, bless his cotton socks!! Kimberley

By Jo on Thursday, November 3, 2005 - 10:27 am:

I have this book called "I'm TWO years old"
Written by Jerri Wolfe but as if it's written by the two year old. Here is what it say's on dressing. I think you're kids might be a bit younger than this but it's worth a try....

I like my PJ's they're so nice and cuddly. Why do I have to put on day clothes? Getting dressed hurts. I don't like things being pulled over my head, pulled up my legs, tucked in around my middle, and put on my feet. I don't like having things done to me.

INSTEAD OF STRUGGLING WHY DON'T WE TRY THIS:
Teach me to dress myself.
I like to do things myself. Lay my shirt out for me and show me how I can put my shirt on myself. make sure it is a shirt with a big neck. It doesn't feel good when the shirt pulls down over my nose and my ears. I can put my own pants on if you hold them out and have me put one leg in at a time. Then I can pull them up. I like tracksuit pants the best they are soft and easy to put on. Hooray! I did it. Learning to get dressed takes effort, so please plane lots of time I can't be rushed..

By Amanda on Thursday, November 3, 2005 - 03:07 pm:

Great quote Jo and I will definitely do this for when Jesse is older but presently hes too little. He has started to help by pushing his arms through. But really our problem is that he wants to go play and dressing isnt a priority.
Oh and Kimberley I was observing us and realised that Jesse is more willing if after his shower to have a play first and then get dressed. Its like ok they let me have some room and so now I can handle being handled again. Make sense?
Cheers guys Amanda

By Kimberley on Thursday, November 3, 2005 - 10:19 pm:

That's really sweet Jo, and you know what, Elsbeth has big ears and it would hurt if I squeeze on a small necked top, thanks. Thanks Amanda, that makes sense with letting Jesse play first and then get dressed. Tonight, Elsbeth was running around nude after her bath, no surprise, and did a wee in the kitchen and she was sort of shocked, 'cos she hadn't experienced it running down her leg before, so I told her it was a wee and made the ssss sound (I think as was described in Kathryn Dettwyler's article about african women and how they toilet train their bubs, from birth with no nappy) and anyway she was ok with it and we wiped it up like any spill. Maybe the nude thing is like a precursor to toilet training, a thought....Thanks again guys, cheers Kimberley

By Amanda on Thursday, November 3, 2005 - 10:32 pm:

Hmmm perhaps good thought Kimberley.
I didnt read that article. Will have to revisit the website.
If Jesse goes bare bummed he often wees.
He usually grabs his penis as if hey whats that doing... Its pretty cute.
I just wipe it up and away we go.
Did you find she way any happier to let you dress her after the play? Take care Amanda

By Kimberley on Thursday, November 3, 2005 - 11:32 pm:

Cute, like his own little fire hose. Elsbeth looks at D when he wees and is a bit facinated, Freud would call it penis envy!!! I wonder when it's time to start being a bit more discreet around her, but it's natural so who knows. Obviously if she has a brother, she'll see it anyway. My brother used to wee up into the air in the bath and we'd scramble out, eeeeeww.

By Amanda on Friday, November 4, 2005 - 08:39 am:

Lol boys or brothers... I remember being scared and creeping in to my brothers room and asking if I can sleep with in and of course he would let me but then let a huge fart go. Now theres something that would send anyone running.
Its cute that she has noticed that D is 'different'. Very perceptive really.
I wouldnt worry about nudity too it. I have a friend who has two teenage daughters and one son who is a bit younger and they are all very free with their bodies, bath together and what not. I think its healthy but also as long as they respect an individuals need for privacy when asked. Which of course I imagine they would.
Actually now that I think of it Jesse has noticed my pubic hair and gone to touch it lol I just point it out and move on... No big deal (at the moment that is). He nearly lol did the same to Steve and was going to grab it lol but thought better of it hehehehe Now that would have been funny.

By Michelle on Friday, November 4, 2005 - 08:14 pm:

LOL!!!
Taliver does the same thing, Amanda. But then again, he loves cuddling the hair on my head, and I can't imagine he would see any difference!

By Amanda on Friday, November 4, 2005 - 08:43 pm:

Haha!
Nahh Jesse doesnt do that with me sadly...
Though he has started to become more affectionate which of course I am loving...just comes up and lays his head in my lap or on my shoulder. So cute!

By Michelle on Saturday, November 5, 2005 - 12:46 pm:

aww, how cute. I used to think that Taliver wasn't very affectionate, but I think they need to learn how to be, just like everything else!
I love it so much when he cuddles me for no reason (and of his own volition), I feel like I just well up with love, you know? There is no greater high!!

By Amanda on Saturday, November 5, 2005 - 02:30 pm:

Yeah I know what you mean... Warms the heart.
Haha guess what? It happened to Steve this morning...isnt that funny!!! I had a good old belly laugh! Steve wasnt so amused but still ok with it lol...

By Kimberley on Saturday, November 5, 2005 - 05:25 pm:

It is so sweet when they're affectionate, it's funny, Elsbeth doesn't give me heaps of hugs, but we're in close physical contact a lot so maybe she doesn't think that way about me, but when she does hug or kiss me out of the blue it's so lovely. Yeah, she's noticed the pubic hair too, what can you do, not much eh. Poor Steve, hope it didn't hurt lol!!