Cape de Superman? Écharpe incrustée de beurre d’arachide? T-shirt singe? Pyjama cowboy? Caleçon rubis? Les tout-petits ont des opinions bien arrêtées — sur ce qu’il faut faire, ce qu’il faut manger et ce qu’il faut porter (et reporter).
À moins qu’il ne s’agisse d’un repas endimanché avec la belle-famille, il est sans doute préférable de les laisser faire à leur tête.
La fixation sur un même vêtement relève de la recherche systématique de régularité et de contrôle chez l’enfant en bas âge. Le monde est un endroit immense, inquiétant et sans cesse changeant; c’est pourquoi les tout-petits semblent réconfortés par la répétition, qu’il s’agisse de porter le même T-shirt tous les jours, de chanter le même refrain tous les soirs ou de regarder le même DVD encore et encore (et encore).
Voici quatre astuces pour aider votre bambin à affirmer son indépendance tout en restant propre.
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.
