A few weeks after Amos had been home (jan 23) I wrote a post asking for help!!! I stated that if you have four kids I need to know your secrets. Oh was it fun reading what all 47 of those comments suggested I do. At that time I felt as though I was drowning and couldn't even catch a breath of air. Going from 2 to 3 was hard back in October, but then 3 to 4 was butt kick hard. Not sure that's a phrase, butt-kick, but now it is.
One of my favorite things that I have taken to heart since then was how someone told me that they let their kids pick out their own clothes. She said that sometimes they go out mismatched and crazy looking, but it's one less stress that she has to deal with. I loved that and I have taken that to heart these days! I had always been okay with dress up clothes, but I also laid out their clothes each night and would fight about it every day. Ugh!
Amos is a weirdo and gets dressed as soon as he wakes up and usually shows up in my room when I'm still in bed fully clothed. So he gets himself his own clothes. Deacon also dresses himself and does great. Cayden would prefer to wear pajama pants and no shirt all day long, so he only gets dressed when I demand he gets dressed.
I don't care if my kids don't match. I don't care if they have on a costume. I don't care if they have on 4 pairs of underwear. I just don't care. That is one less stress that I don't have to worry about. 🙂
I admit that if we're going somewhere nice I would maybe help their choices, but actually I can't think of the last time I took any of my kids somewhere nice! Wow, who would do that with four kids!
So, here's some of the clothing choices these boys have gone with.
2008 bike ride with dad
red & orange. Not so much. Rain boots? You never know.
We went through a stage where we wore capes everywhere!
Yes, Cayden has a wig on!
Don't think that fits Cayden. Yes we went to the store like this!
Yep we're in Target. Marathon medal, too big sweat shirt & of course shin guards!
Not so good at matching! But who cares?
This is when Cayden made himself a vest so he could be a real cowboy. We did go out to dinner like this, but I did ask him to put a shirt under his vest!
See that red apron Amos has on. Yes he wears it everywhere! Who cares?
Cayden is “peter pan” in this picture. Yes we were on our way into a restaurant!
Do you let your kids go out in anything they want?
I had to go back and read your other post first – wow, lots of great responses. I went from 2 to 4 kids with the adoption so it was a major adjustment. Thankfully ours are older – 11, 10, 9 and 7 and that makes a huge difference.
But yes, we let them dress themselves. The boys turn out pretty well because jeans and dark colored shorts kind of go with everything. The girls are a little trickier but unless it’s church I just don’t care.
I actually smile when I see kids in the store dressed like yours because I think it’s cool that they’re allowed some freedom and self-expression.
I will echo what someone said on the other post and find ways to get your kids to help – no matter what their age. I have a hard time delegating and am a control freak and I was making myself nuts trying to do it all myself. With some training, and some changes to how you do things, kids are able to do quite a bit.
I have Clorox wipes in all the bathrooms and my youngest, when she was 4 could wipe down a sink or toilet. All the kids can “pick up”. Give each kid a bucket and make them pick up toys etc.
Kids are pretty good at laundry too. I just stopped sorting my laundry by colors. I only do laundry once a week. The girls clothes in one load, boys in one, ours in one. When it comes out of the dryer they fold and put away. It’s not perfect but I don’t care. Sheets only get washed about once a month 🙂
When they started complaining about how much there was to fold I encouraged them to figure out if their outfit from the day could be worn again (if it passed the smell test).
When we added the last two we color-coded the kids in re: to cups and dishes, etc. That way I know who hasn’t cleared their dishes and I don’t get the “what cup is mine” question 12 time a day…which leads to said child getting a new cup and doubling the dishes.
We also use lots of paper plates and napkins!
Way to let your kids express themselves. What a great mom you are!
Now I know what to do with our marathon medals. Have you seen this? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFYPtIp_CXE
I LOVE this about our kids… i mean, yes slightly embarassing when we are in Target and Cayden looks like he stepped out of a Village People music video… but i love that they are creative and free to pick out crazy stuff and just rock it!
Yup, yup, yup. My kids always dress themselves. And all of my kids wear their rain boots when it’s not raining (even the 14 year old). What is up with that? 180 degrees and they’re clomping through HEB.
On Sunday, one of my boys came out wearing a blue and white striped shirt with cammo pants (he’s 11). He could care less. We asked him to put on pants and a shirt – so he did. They were both comfortable … ya’ know … so they matched! 🙂
Ever seen this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFYPtIp_CXE
I was laughing SOOO stinkin’ hard at these pics! I just love them! Emily is a fan of dressing up in not “real-clothes” as well…she would so love hangin’ with your boys! Currently her favorite outfit is her Superman costume from last year that comes up to her knees, complete with cape. She then ties a jumprope around her waist with a knot on the end…for a lasso. My favorite pic of her dressed up for an outing was her wearing an adult-sized bicycle helmet that was covered in duct tape and her soccer uniform with striped toe socks and a kitty cat mask and blue and yellow boy’s Pumas. That was awesome!…like I said, too bad we don’t live down the street. Our kids would be an interesting sight:):)
I think not only is it easier on you for the kids to pick out their clothes, but it also gives them a chance to “express themselves.” They get to make choices all on their own–it’s something mommy and daddy don’t decide, so they can own it for themselves. It teaches them a little bit of responsibility yet at the same time teaches them to “be themselves” and not worry about what they look like in public, as long as they aren’t at a wedding or dining at Vespaio. 🙂
OH my! I am crying I am laughing so hard. Cayden’s outdits crack me up! I thought the same thing Aaron did that Cayden looks like he stepped out of the Village People! So funny! This is something that I probably stress to much over. Jack dresses himself, but he always seems to be able to match. I can’t imagine what would come up if I let Mabry dress herself!! Ha!
this post cracks me up, my favorite is super small buzz lightyear outfit! i have a 2.5 year old who is already wanting to pick his own clothes. it does, indeed, make it easier!
My girls are 22 and 16, and yes, I let them pick out their own clothes. There were periods when my oldest wanted to wear the same dress every single day (I bought two, so I could eventually wash one). My mom is a teacher and she really believes that kids need to have a way to be empowered and also show individuality and clothing is a great way to do it (her argument against school uniforms). If we do need to dress up (a wedding, or something like that), I would pick a few outfits and let them choose. But honestly, there really is nothing they could do that would shock, including showing up at family Thanksgiving dinner without shoes. No one cared!
Pretty much. I draw the line when they want to wear swimming suits to a retail store or to dinner. I also draw the line if it’s something that is going to cause enough discomfort which will induce whining. Such as I’m hot..I’m cold…my feet hurt! I have 6 kids and I have to reduce the ‘whineage’ as much as possible. Otherwise, go for it…who cares.
p.s. Loved the wig!