This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Community Corner

Moms Talk: You're Leaving The House Wearing That?

How much freedom do you give your child in choosing their outfits?

Welcome back to Moms Talk, a feature that is part of a new initiative on our Patch sites to reach out to moms and families.

Each week in Moms Talk, our Moms Council of experts and smart moms take your questions, give advice and share solutions.

Moms, dads, grandparents and the diverse families who make up our community are all welcome to weigh in and use the discussion forum as a resource. Each week, we'll pose a question and solicit feedback on a wide array of issues, but you should feel free to suggest questions you'd like to see discussed as well.

Find out what's happening in Bethesda-Chevy Chasewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

This week, our discussion turns to the outfits your children want to wear.  My kids are trying to pick out their own outfits in the morning:  plaid shorts, pirate socks and a "My Grandparents Went to Aruba and All I Got Was This Stinking T-Shirt" top.  Let's just say, I don't always approve.  But, frankly, it's not worth the battle when I just need to get them to school so that I can get to work.  But I look at the "tween" girls roaming around Bethesda Row or White Flint Mall and I think "GEEZ!  What are they wearing?  And why did their parents let them leave the house looking like that?"  I didn't know that a 12 year old could look like a hoochie.  And I know for darned sure that a 12 year old shouldn't! 

From talking to my girlfriends with little girls, it is obvious from a very young age that they have a much stronger desire to control their appearance.  It starts off with a "those are baby clothes" protest and it ends up with ... short skirts?  Makeup?  Tight tops? 

Find out what's happening in Bethesda-Chevy Chasewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

What are the rules in your house for how your child should dress?  When did you let your kid choose their own outfits?  When did they start choosing the clothes that you buy?  When did you make them pay for their own clothes?  What kind of veto rights do you hold in your house on outfits?  What do I have to look forward to?  Or am I safe with two boys?

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?