For the Child Who Won’t Get Dressed

Four lines you can say out loud tonight. Word for word. Free to save.

What to say

1. Clothes on before breakfast. That’s the order every morning.

2. Taking off something that feels right and putting on something that doesn’t is a real loss.

3. Shirt first, then pants, and I hand them over one at a time instead of all at once.

4. You put them on yourself. I stay in the doorway and keep my hands off.

When to use it

This is for the moment it actually goes wrong — not the calm version you rehearse in the car. Pick one line. Say it once. Then stop talking and wait three seconds. If they push back, repeat the same line, not a new one. Say the same thing for five nights before you decide it doesn't work.