solution for morning clothing battles

We are in back to school mode here, even though we don't go back for almost three weeks. But my anticipation (read purchasing back to school items) for new year is keeping my spirits up.

If you are one of our regular readers, you know one of my favorite morning activities is the treadmill/elliptical machine + Today Show. Especially of late since the summer lovin' has ended in our house and the gym means childcare! This morning I caught a great tip from one of the guests and wanted to share it.

For those of you with little kids, you may think I'm insane for thinking this is the perfect solution to our morning wardrobe fights (from one child). But every morning we have "negotiations" with my younger child about clothes. She has a beautiful assortment of clothing from many wonderful retailers. Yet, every morning is crap shoot on what she will end up donning to school. Even when I present her with a few choices, you can count on tears, lots o drama and pleading to wear something from the opposite season.

This idea may be one I'm willing to adopt:

--Decide, with said child, the entire week's "what to wear to school" wardrobe on Sunday night. Put each outfit in a ziploc back, complete with undies and socks, and mark "Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, etc."

Now this may not work with some kids. In fact, it may not work with my five-year old, but the arguments are painful enough to excite me in trying something new. Heck, I might try it with both kids in the hopes it will make mornings a little more efficient and easier to get everyone out the door.

Comments

[Diane]

I lay out the next day's outfit the night before and it seems to work well - I think knowing what she is going to wear gives her time to prepare. If she helps me select the outfit it gives us a chance to talk about what we are doing tomorrow and what clothing might be appropriate for that activity. Sometimes she chooses a completely new outfit in the morning, which is usually OK, but the battles have been cut by 75% and that's a win in my book!