Every parent out there will tell you that the process of dressing up your baby boy or girl in adorable clothes is one of the greatest joys of parenthood. However, there comes a time in every parent’s life when they have to step back and assess whether their child has reached that age when they should start choosing what they wear. There is no exact age when it is okay or recommended to let your kids choose their clothes, as it depends on many things. However, if you think your little one is ready but you are not sure that you are, let us provide you with a few reasons why you’ll want to step back and let them become more independent. All you need to do is ensure you capture the moment with your iPhone.
First things first – it will be fun
It’s no secret that kids love to have fun. Truth be told, not all children will enjoy picking out their outfits, but there are many that will. And it’s safe to say that your kids aren’t the only ones who will be having fun. Just think about the prospect of letting your toddler choose what he or she wants to wear. You’ll never know what they are going to put on and match, so your toddler could end up wearing outfits with humorous prints that might not be suitable for a play date or a walk in the park. Still, you can rest assured that you will laugh your heart out once you see your toddler wearing a funny combination that just warms your heart. These are the memories you’ll remember for a lifetime.
Clothes are the best way for your child to express himself/herself
Would you love to know what the attitude and character of your three-year-old are going to be like? To get a glimpse of what your child’s identity might shape up to be, let them choose their own outfits. This is especially important if you have a school-aged child. You might want to dress your child in an everyday outfit, but that’s not what really matters. If your son or daughter wants to wear Metallica shirts, let them. Clothes have always been a form of self-expression, and you don’t want to be the one to limit your kids and suppress their wishes. Children who can freely express themselves are usually more confident and will more often develop excellent communication skills. We don’t have to tell you how important that will be down the line.
Let your kids choose their clothes to build confidence
We can bet that you feel super confident while wearing clothes that look and feel good on your body. Clothes play a powerful role in our daily lives, and they can shape how we see and think about ourselves. Rest assured that it’s no different for kids. If you want your child to build confidence, as well as all the skills and qualities that confident people have, you ought to let them choose their own outfits. And if you are not sure whether your little one can handle such a responsibility, we suggest you start small. Encourage them to pick an outfit to wear to the park while you keep choosing their clothes for special occasions. Once you see that they are doing a good job, you can pretty much stand back and let them take charge.
Everything you buy will be worn
What do you think will happen if you go out and buy the clothes that you like for your six-year-old? You just might arrive home only to realize that they hate everything you purchased. They might choose not to wear those outfits, which will result in a lot of wasted time and money on your part. On the other hand, if you let your child buy the clothes they like, you can rest assured that nothing will go to waste. Besides, wouldn’t it be easier to let your child pick and choose instead of racking your brain? Speaking of shopping for clothes with your child, that brings us to another important point of order.
You get to teach your children how to balance a budget
One of the biggest reasons why you should let your kids choose their clothes is the fact that you can take them shopping and use that as a great learning opportunity. If you are dealing with a school-aged child, you could give them a budget and watch how they spend it. Will they choose to buy just one item that will blow through the entire fund? Will they opt for several cheaper items? You can never know until you give them that opportunity. It will provide you with valuable insights into how good your child is at money management and whether they know how to save money. If you aren’t satisfied with how they decided to spend the cash, you can always teach them how to do better in the future. In other words, you’ll get to nip their potentially bad habits in the bud.
Your child will develop a sense of responsibility
Finally, we come to the last important reason why you should let your kids choose their clothes. It’s entirely reasonable to try to provide your child with as carefree of a childhood as possible. However, this is where parents often make mistakes that could have long-term consequences. Childhood is precisely the right time to start teaching your little one about responsibility. Believe it or not, you can do it through something as simple as letting them pick their own outfits. Or take them shopping for their clothes and let them make all the decisions. Of course, don’t expect your child to do a perfect job at the start. Nobody gets it on the very first try.
