I have B/G twins in middle school and stopped buying a winter coat for my son when he was in third grade. He just does not get cold. He wears shorts all year (unless at a dressy event, and then he's happy to put on a suit). He spends plenty of time outside and feels fine. Honestly, I am exactly the same way so don't fight it. His sister, OTOH, is in full winter regalia.

Anonymous wrote:you must be the perfect parent then, and your kids always do what you tell them to do.

She is the mom of a 5 year old girl.

Most boys are like that...including my four boys...and their friends.

OP you have a daughter. Come back and let us know how it goes for you when you have a tween/teen son. I don't know why they like to underdressed for the cold, but they just do.

My son always said, "I'm not an idiot; if I'm cold I will put on a jacket." So who am I to decide if he is cold?

Anonymous wrote:Yes, I might be being a little judgmental but on my way for the school run this morning and afternoon, I see a ton a middle school boys in shorts and a sweatshirt type of jacket. It was snowing, sleeting and raining. Why would you let your kid out the house like that to have to walk to school or ride their bike? Just didn't make much sense to me. I made sure my kid had on a winter coat, gloves and boots and even if I wasn't at home she would have had sense enough to dress for the weather. Who wants to be cold and wet part of the day.

Haha! My son loves running out in the rain and stomping in puddles. I don't get it now, but I did when I was a kid!

11YO boys gonna 11YO boy.

OP, you are correct. However, I have started to let it go. Not my kids.

Tolerance for cold varies by individual. I remind myself of this every time I start to be judgmental about someone in an ankle length parka in 50 degree weather.

Because I am someone who feels invigorated by the cold, and thus, I don't get cold at the same temps as many other people, and gave birth to a couple of kids who feel the same way.

So while you may be wearing a parka at 60 degrees, I'm bounding outside in a t-shirt, happy and comfortable as a clam. Same with my kids.

Because they can make the choice to be uncomfortable. They aren’t on the frozen prairie 200 miles from civilization. They’ll survive and better yet learn to make their own better choices in the future without needing to be told by mommy that the HAVE to wear pants.

Sometimes kids make their own decisions. And allowing them learn from their mistakes makes you a better parent than micromanaging their every move.

Oh, you saw my son! He has a coat, gloves, snow pants, and boots in his closet. My job is to provide - his is to dress his own darn self. He’s 12. If he wants to be cold, have at it. Not my body. Life has been much more pleasant at our place when we stopped commenting on clothes.

So kids can learn from their mistakes instead of being told what to do all the time and having their hand held.

you must be the perfect parent then, and your kids always do what you tell them to do.

Yes, I might be being a little judgmental but on my way for the school run this morning and afternoon, I see a ton a middle school boys in shorts and a sweatshirt type of jacket. It was snowing, sleeting and raining. Why would you let your kid out the house like that to have to walk to school or ride their bike? Just didn't make much sense to me. I made sure my kid had on a winter coat, gloves and boots and even if I wasn't at home she would have had sense enough to dress for the weather. Who wants to be cold and wet part of the day.