Adventures in the Lives of D&Z: Dressing Ourselves

Getting Dylan dressed has become such an ordeal and a feat that I've been trying to figure out how to survive such a simple task. So I decided that it is time to start working with Dylan on helping him learn how to dress himself. He still needs a lot of help and guidance, but I feel that is expected. He's learning that the tag in his clothes go in the back and that one leg goes through each side of the pants or else you can't walk right. And most importantly his involvement in the process has helped us both survive this morning and night ritual much more peacefully. Of course I must admit I have found that offering a "reward" of a peppermint for his cooperation and "trying" to dress himself helps dramatically along with words of praise and affirmation.

The other morning Dylan was all set to earn his accolades and peppermint by dressing himself. I usually have him get started and then I help out. (This is what ideally happens as long as we are not in a time crunch.) So we were both sitting on the floor in the kitchen. As usual Dylan did a fantastic job of taking his PJs off. Then the first thing we do after undressing is put our clean underwear on our bottom. Dylan thought it would be "hysterical" to put his underwear on his head and then run around and dance and sing. I had to just let this moment be and let go and so I watched him enjoying making himself laugh. I was laughing too at him which he found delightful. Dylan asked "Mommy, is this funny?" I told him it was. Then he looked at me and said "I am hysterical!" That's my Dylan! Always the entertainer and always looking to get a laugh out of you.