¿La capa de Superman? ¿Mantequilla de maní incrustada en la bufanda? ¿Remera de mono? ¿Pijamas de vaqueros? ¿Zapatillas de rubí? Los niños tienen sus opiniones, sobre qué hacer, qué comer y qué usar (y volver a usar).
Y, a menos que tengas una cena formal con los parientes políticos, probablemente sea mejor seguir la corriente.
Querer usar lo mismo una y otra vez se trata de que un niño pequeño desee mantener la regularidad y el control. El mundo es un lugar grande, aterrador y cambiante, y los niños pequeños parecen sentirse tranquilos con la repetición, ya sea que usen la misma camisa todos los días, canten la misma canción todas las noches o vean el mismo DVD una y otra vez (y más).
Aquí hay cuatro consejos rápidos para que tu pequeño afirme un poco su independencia y aun así se mantenga aseado.
Sneak it into the super-secret late-night wash
After bath, put your child's current obsession to bed, too. If your child is so attached that she insists on clinging to some extremely grubby item all night long, wait until she's in deep sleep (at least 15 minutes) before you try to slide it out to toss it in a nighttime wash. Even if you just give it a quick rinse, that might keep it fresh (or fresh-ish) until laundry day. Or, if it's a cloth item, why not let your child wash it in the bath with her, then hang it up to dry in the bathroom for the night? (Hint: don't attempt this with stuffed animals.)
Get them on the clean team
Another way to persuade your child to give up the Monkey T for washing is to let her be involved with the process. Toddlers are fascinated by big, metal washers and all of their noises and buttons. Let her put it in the washer and push the button to start the machine. If you child cries for Monkey T, you could explain how Monkey T is taking a bath. You might even distract her by turning the whole experience into the story of the Monkey T's fun adventure in the washing machine waves.
Buy doubles
If your child's obsession is long-lasting, and if you're able to do it, pick up a twin of her favorite item. Sometimes they'll be okay with switching between the two. And you'll have a little more time to keep at least one of them clean.
And finally — let it go
Yes, it can be annoying if your child leaves the only hat she will wear at daycare over the weekend in a snowstorm, or if she wants to wear a too-small chocolate-milk-stained t-shirt to Nana's wedding. But remember, as in all things parenthood, this phase will pass. Because, admit it, she also looks pretty cute. So take lots of pictures. One day, when you offer up that tutu, she'll look at you like you're insane. And you may even be a tiny bit sad that shes moved on.
