Clinical Reference Systems: Pediatric Advisor 10.0
Refusal to Dress
REFUSING TO DRESS SELF THOUGH ABLE TO DO IT
- Premise
Once a child is old enough to dress himself, the parent
should never need to dress him again. Avoid situations
where you feel that you are pressured into becoming
involved in the dressing process.
- The rule
"You're old enough to dress yourself."
- Discipline technique
If you're going to stay at home, don't allow your child
to watch TV or go outdoors until he is completely
dressed. Also, avoid buying clothing that is hard to
get on.
PROCRASTINATING DRESSING WHEN THE PARENT IS TRYING TO LEAVE
- Examples
You need to take your child to school, day care, the
store, or on some other errand. Your child won't dress
herself (despite being able to) and eats breakfast
slowly.
- The rule
"You must be ready to leave the house by 8:30 each
morning because we can't be late to school."
- Discipline technique
Logical consequences.
- Give your child 10 minutes' warning before departure,
preferably using a kitchen timer. Encourage your
child to "beat the timer."
- If your child is not dressed at departure time and
you are driving somewhere, put her clothes and shoes
in a bag and take her to the car dressed as she is.
If she likes, she can try to get dressed in the car,
though that will be difficult with the seat belt on.
If your child is going to school, try to get there a
few minutes late to provide some additional pressure
to speed up the next morning. If your child misses a
school bus, take her to school yourself, but be sure
again that she's a few minutes late.
- Provide breakfast in the morning, but if your child
is not finished with breakfast at the time of
departure, that is her problem.
- Don't nag during the time your child is stalling and
dawdling. By all means don't dress your child at the
last minute.
- Praise
Praise your child for trying to dress herself,
completely dressing herself, dressing herself promptly,
or being ready to leave for school or other appointments
on time.
- Model
Dress before breakfast. Show your child how you
sometimes dress in a hurry.
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Written by B.D. Schmitt, M.D., author of "Your Child's Health," Bantam Books.
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Copyright 1999 Clinical Reference Systems
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