It’s FINALLY springtime in Rhode Island!
Time to switch over the kids’ wardrobe to spring jackets, capris or shorts, and short sleeve shirts! Bright pastel colors and even a little frill capped sleeve sundresses if you have them!
Then you can put away the mittens, scarves, hats and snow boots, until…
The temperature drops 20 degrees, and you DO really need those puffy coats for morning school run. But beware: by pick up, those coats will have been shed with the warm-up of “fake spring” and forgotten at school. The following morning will be another cold one. Good thing we live in New England and have winter so long we have at least two puffy coats!
Fast forward three more days and you may leave the house wearing rain boots, a tutu skirt, and a double polar fleece with sunglasses and a beanie (“just in case”). You will need indefinite access to your summer, winter, fall, AND spring wardrobes for the kids during this and every seasonal transition so when I say “switch over,” I really mean throw your current laundry routine into overdrive.
Currently, we are living off of our sofa where all laundry “lives” until the transition is completed. The cedar chest is flung open, all closets are in bedlam and the totes in the basement are next! We all know that living in New England requires too many options to protect our little ones from the unpredictable elements, so here are my five tips from my past seven years of experience of living the “switch over”:
Resistance is futile!
Don’t try and get by with the “spring is for spring” wardrobe rule; everyone will be wet cold and miserable (although adorably cute) in the process!
Over-Prepare
If you HAVE to have that spring outfit, bring extra layers for the cold and for comfort. Make sure you bring an extra empty bag for layers that need to be shed.
Let Them Choose
Kids tend to not mind changing multiple times a day if it is something they choose. Just like with food, let them choose and they are more likely to comply.
Give It Up
Some of the best advice I got was from a fellow mom of four who told me: “only buy short sleeves, then layer with sweaters in the winter.” Donating all those extra long sleeve shirts freed up space in the kids’ dresser for sure!
Clue Everyone In
Nothing irks me more than when I have weeded out the fleece-footed pajamas to go into storage for our short spring/summer than seeing Dad has helped and dressed them for bed in those very same pajamas. If there must be piles during the transition, let other caregivers know what is off limits to cut down on the shuffling game.
In closing, take it easy on yourself. New England weather is tough, especially when dressing a little one. Keep it all out, try and keep it clean, and donate what doesn’t work for you! See you in summer when we will do it again!