Fall/winter gear requests

[Artsand crafts]

I tell parents what has happened to kids for not using the right clothing, like "Michael was tripping and was having difficulty walking because his feet are growing. I think he need big shoes". "July was crying during outdoor time since she was very cold. I think she needs a winter jacket now" This kind of things had happened even after I informed everybody about the proper outweard they should bring. This usually works when they heard how uncomfortable, not able to play, not able to walk, etc their kids were.

I currently have everybody's winter jackets, snow pants, mittens and hats here. They leave them here everyday. I return them on the weekend for washing only if they are heavily stained.

[sunnydays]

I do send out a winter gear email in the fall, but at this time of year I also give parents a bit of time to get it all together. Where I am it has become very suddenly cold this week and none of us are ready...so we are mostly staying in this week and I am sure this weekend all parents (including me) will be scrambling to stores to pick up missing items such as mitts, hats, snow boots so that we are more prepared for next week if it stays cold. I will send out reminders though that it is cold and I remind them of what kind of gear we will need. Some first time parents don't know what to buy as their baby has never played outside.

[torontokids]

I am in the process of writing this as well for my families. I have one of those 3 y o that won't wear a jacket for the parents but they bring it because he knows with me he doesn't have a choice. Any kid that refuses to wear something I have them sit out until they put it on e.g. jacket, hat. They get cold pretty quick so I only usually have to do this once per season.

I am curious as well about asking families to be more understanding of how much work it is to get them ready. I have one girl who wears converse lace ups every day but cannot lace them or even put them on. I am going to include a line in my email to think when purchasing if their child can put this on themselves or with a little assistance. I am also confused as to why a 14 mos old was sent with gloves. Yeah that's not going to work.

How does everyone handle the wet snowsuit/snow pants issue? I don't want to throw dirty snow pants in my dryer that I put clean clothes in. Is it too much to ask for a spare pair of snow pants?

[playfelt]

How does everyone handle the wet snowsuit/snow pants issue? I don't want to throw dirty snow pants in my dryer that I put clean clothes in. Is it too much to ask for a spare pair of snow pants?

I have one of those coat stands with two layers of hooks. I put an old blanket down on the floor and the stand on it - our outside door is off the kitchen. I bring it into the kitchen and get it ready before we go out. Then they stand on the blanket for dressing and undressing. I have a chair their to put them on for doing boots. The wet stuff is then hung up and stays there rest of the day. At some point during naptime it will have finished dripping and I just pick up the stand and carry back to the front door area, move boots to matt and hats and mitts were put on one of those dryer things over the register at the front door anyways so already there, dry , and warm for home time. Blanket is shook out the door for mud and folded - washed at the end of the week.

In winter we do lunch early and outside after for about 20 minutes then back in to bed. That way we are taking advantage of the warmest part of the day and going to bed keeps them away from the drying clothes in the kitchen.

[2cuteboys]

I currently have everybody's winter jackets, snow pants, mittens and hats here. They leave them here everyday. I return them on the weekend for washing only if they are heavily stained.

Thats a good idea! I offered this and had one parent take me up on it.