As the season rolls in with hot cocoa, cozy sweaters, and twinkling lights, I find myself facing a yearly conundrum. My boys seem to think we’re experiencing a summer heatwave, choosing to dress in shorts and t-shirts even when it’s freezing outside. Seriously, folks, it’s like they’ve never heard of winter.
After over four decades on this planet, and being a mom for more than a decade, I’ve come to terms with the fact that some things will always baffle me. Take quantum physics, for instance, or the baffling world of Common Core math. I also can’t wrap my head around why my kids find joy in watching YouTube channels dedicated to unboxing baseball cards or toys. And don’t get me started on how staying up late somehow results in them waking up earlier.
But honestly, the biggest mystery remains: why do tween and teen boys insist on dressing for the beach when it’s blizzarding outside? They could be standing in a snowdrift, and yet, you’ll find them in shorts and a t-shirt—no coat in sight.
To be fair, my kids seldom complain about the cold; they’ve learned that shivering in my presence only earns them a disapproving glare. So, I’ve stopped nagging them about proper attire. If they’re chilly, I figure they’ll eventually wise up and grab some warmer clothes—at least in theory. But my stubborn boys would rather risk frostbite than admit their old mom was right about needing a hat and gloves.
Truth be told, it’s not really their choice of clothing that irks me; it’s the endless passive-aggressive commentary from onlookers. No, grocery store cashier, my son isn’t going to catch a cold simply because he’s coatless. That’s not how this works! If he gets sick, it’ll be due to the germ-infested classroom he spends his days in.
And yes, Aunt Marge, I do buy my kids warm clothes. They just choose not to wear them. I’ve decided to let them face the natural consequences (aka freezing their butts off) and hope it leads them to make better choices down the line.
No, random passerby, I can’t force my kids to wear their coats; my 11-year-old is nearly as tall as I am. It would be an exercise in futility to try and stuff him into a coat against his will. You know, body autonomy and all that jazz.
One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned in parenting is the importance of picking my battles, and this isn’t a hill I’m willing to die on. So here we are, with temperatures hovering in the low 30s, frost covering the ground, and snow on the horizon. My boys are still rocking their shorts and t-shirts while I fight the temptation to shout, “Put some clothes on!”
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In summary, while I may not understand my kids’ fashion choices in cold weather, I’ve realized that sometimes, it’s best to let them learn from their own experiences.