What to do when your child picks out her own clothes

Q: I just went shopping with my six-year-old daughter, and she picked out a few lightweight dresses. She wants to wear them right away, but it’s not warm enough yet. What should I do?

A: You can save yourself a fight by simply allowing your daughter to wear the lighter clothes she loves. She will quickly experience for herself the discomfort of being chilly and, after a few days, she’ll probably decide to wear something warmer. This approach is developmentally appropriate for age six; she’ll figure it out. Expect some creative problem solving — she may add leggings and a sweater — but this lets her learn to be self-sufficient and imaginative.