Top 8 Reasons Why My Teenagers Aren’t Wearing Their Winter Coats
They don’t want to. This is a good reason since they are becoming their own individual person who has unique likes and dislikes. Personally, I like wearing my winter coat.- They don’t think they need it since they only go from the car/bus to the school and then from school to the car. This seems logical since they no longer have recess.
- Their sweatshirt is “fine.” It keeps them “warm enough.” Since I do not know their exact body temperature, I will again defer to their own growing awareness of when they need a warmer coat.
- There is not enough room in their locker to fit their bulky coat, all their books, and their backpack. Again, their ability to logically solve the problem of a crowded locker is to be commended.
- No one will die. They may have the bus heater break or have a car accident on the way to school, but I bet someone will take pity on the cold child and find them warmth sometime before hypothermia sets in.
- It’s cold in some classrooms so they need their sweatshirt, but a coat over a sweatshirt is too bulky. Comfort always makes sense.
- “It’s not that cold.” Now I simply disagree with this point, but when they go outside after school, they always wear their winter coat. When they ski, they wear a winter coat. When they sled, they wear a winter coat. So “not that cold” is simply teenager speak for “it’s not that cold to go a short distance outside in my sweatshirt.”
- I didn’t make them. So when someone says, “Hey, didn’t your mom tell you to wear a winter coat?” They can reply that I suggested it. I announced the temperature, wind chill, and wind speed. I even modeled how to wear one. But, alas, I let them own this decision.
So, moms with preschoolers wondering why teenagers aren’t wearing coats, this should explain it fairly well. To fellow mothers of teenagers wearing only sweatshirts when there’s snow on the ground, I know you made every attempt. And to moms with teens who fight the coat battle every morning, you can join us if you want to feel the freedom and joy of watching a child become an adult right before your very eyes…a cold one…but a growing adult nonetheless.
Totally. In fact my teen on Monday, despite being on a two hour delay for temperate, still refused to take the time for gloves. “Mom, my hands are cold!” She says. Mine weren’t
because I had on gloves. Lol.
Too funny!
I’ve said it for years . . . teenagers are impervious to cold.
I have a daughter who turned thirteen earlier this year and I am adamant about her being bundled up. I dress her in a sweater, a thick fleece jacket, a puffy vest, a down coat, and a heavy parka. She also has to wear insulated snow pants and knee high winter boots. I always make sure she puts on lined gloves, a thick hat, and a scarf. I always have her wear her hoods up.
Before anyone accuses me of being over protective let me explain why I think these winter clothes are a necessity. My daughter has a thirty minute walk to school and usually during the winter the temperature ranges from the low twenties to the low thirties. My daughter plays basketball in the winter so by the time she goes home at around six or seven o’clock it’s usually below freezing again.