Posted on 11th Sep 2010 @ 9:35 PM

Does your child dress his or herself? Does it always involve gumboots and rainbow colours? Or stripes and spots together? Have you even resorted to hiding certain items of clothing that just really don’t go?

I am lucky to have two boys; one of them is too young to know what is going on, the other one I quickly lay out clothes for him to wear every morning, before he can chose his own. We (for the time being) are both happy with that arrangement. If however, I forgot to do that, his outfit will invariably include gumboots, board shorts and his superman cape.

I just read that Suri Cruise dresses herself – according to Tom, “just so you know, she dresses herself. She picks out everything on her own.” Hmmm I am not sure I believe that. Unless poor Suri doesn’t own a pair of Dora gumboots, rainbow tights or fairy dresses? Suri is a little fashionista in the making, she never looks like a madcap clown. Though I suppose in her reported $25,000 a month budget on clothing there is little room for mismatching outfits.

The experts say that letting your kids chose their own clothes is supposed to build confidence, independence and decision-making skills so take comfort in the thought you are letting your child express themselves, allowing their personality to develop without keeping the stripes all vertical.

But if it really is just so tragic, just so awful that you can’t bear to go out in public well I am sorry to say there is nothing much you can do short of their censoring their entire wardrobe to include only subdued and neutral mix and match colours.

You can try limiting their choice everyday, a heavy session of negotiation or just go shopping and find some items of clothing that will match those wacky rainbow items.

Or better still, Minymo clothing that is sold right here at Charlipop Kids might satisfy your child’s craving for seriously bright and fun colours, while keeping the parents happy because Minymo is still seriously cool!

Ali - The Whole Hoot

www.thewholehoot.com.au