The Clothing Wars of 2008

Now that it is near 30 degrees outside, what is a four year-old to wear? Meet Hope, now part-time host of our own What Not To Wear TV show. Here's an excerpt from a day in the life of me: one very tired mother!

Mommy: "Hope, it's cold outside now. You can't wear your sundress to school during the winter."

Hope: "Why not?"

Mommy: "Because it's cold outside."

Hope: "Weeeelllll, can I wear my purple sundress?"

Mommy (clearly forgetting that purple makes all the difference in temperature): "No, Hope. No sundresses in the winter. Why don't you wear your new jeans?"

Hope: "I don't like jeans."

Mommy: "Why not?"

Hope: "They just don't look pretty."

Mommy: "But Mommy wears jeans. Don't you like my jeans?"

Hope: "No. They don't look pretty."

Mommy (forcing a smile): "How about your skort, tights and this turtle neck?"

Hope: "I don't like turtle necks."

Mommy (looking at the 3 new turtle necks I just bought her): "Why not?"

Hope: "They just bother me."

Mommy (big sigh): "OK, how about this sweater and long-sleeve shirt."

Hope: "Can I wear a short-sleeve shirt?"

Mommy (clenching my teeth): "No. Remember? It's winter."

Hope: "How long is it going to be winter?"

Mommy: "Until March."

Hope: "March is so long away! Do I have to wear a jacket?"

Mommy: "Yes."

Hope (tears rolling now): "Why do I have to wear a jacket?"

Mommy (are we even in the same room together?!): "Because it's cold outside."

Hope (more tears): "Can I take it off at school?"

Mommy: "Yes. Now let's finish getting dressed because so far you are still naked and school starts in 3 minutes."

Hope: "Can I wear my polka dot dress?"

Mommy: "No, that's a summer dress."

Hope: "I don't know what to wear."

Mommy (clearly you know what NOT to wear): "OK, how about choosing between this outfit or that one?"

Hope (squeezing out a fresh round of tears): "I don't like any of those."

Mommy (breathe in, breathe out): "OK, I'll pick the skort and tights and you choose the top."

Hope: "I don't want to go to school anymore."

Mommy (waving the white flag): "Fine. I'm going back to bed!"

Hope: "Can I climb in your bed too?"

Mommy: "Sure."

Hope: "Can I wear my sundress to bed?"

Note that what you see Hope wearing in these photos is strictly for giggly dress up. When she actually goes to bed, she inisists on sleeping in her birthday suit - covers kicked off, heater turned off.