So, how do you navigate clothes choices with your kids?
At any stage, there seem to be more and more choices for kids as they grow up. And, we as parents have countless more choices as we guide them on their way to independence. We got to choose between breastmilk and formula (don’t get me started on that debate!). And, then came kindergarten. Don’t forget sports and extracurricular activities to raise a well-rounded child. The choices and possibilities are endless.
We parents are doing the best we can with what we have. We love our kids more than we can say or show—but we try. And, each decision we make looks different for each kid. In fact, in our own home and in the same situation, the decision was a clear “yes” for one child and a clear “no” for the other.
It’s not always clear, and it’s definitely not easy. Here are some tips to help along the way as you make decisions for and with your children.
- Keep communication open. And, I keep reminding myself that this requires me to listen—really listen to my kids. They share what they want and why they want it. This is also an opportunity for me to share how excited I am and mention—briefly—any major boundaries within the decision.
- Take time. Try to avoid hearing your child’s ideas and desires for the first time at the department store the night before a big dance. This almost always leads to a disagreement. Instead, begin talking and researching weeks before. This helps establish some healthy expectations.
- Listen to what God says in the Bible. I’m not suggesting that John the Baptist should speak into your clothing choices (clothing of camel hair, complete with a leather belt??). You’ll see that God looks at the heart (1 Samuel 16:7)—just as Austin complimented his daughters’ inner beauty. I wonder if that’s a starting point for this discussion.
- Major on the majors. Yes, parents, we have the responsibility to speak into our kids’ lives. But, let’s not take that too far. Set initial boundaries for major decisions, and let your child take part in making the decision.
And, parents, let’s be supportive of each other. We’re in this together. When you see other students and their clothing choices, you have no way of knowing the background story. Enjoy the discussion, the shopping, and the dance.
