Why do kids need reminded to zip their jackets?

[Scottish Rhiannon]

My twin 7yr old sisters need reminded all the time when it's raining, they go to go out with them open but they have hoods up so we say "zip it too".

So as the title asks, why do kids need prompted to zip jackets up?

 

[jacks]

They don't think that far ahead...

 

[Scottish Rhiannon]

They don't think that far ahead...

Any ideas on how I can get my sisters to do it without needing asked ?

 

[eleos1954]

My twin 7yr old sisters need reminded all the time when it's raining, they go to go out with them open but they have hoods up so we say "zip it too".

So as the title asks, why do kids need prompted to zip jackets up?

They suspect they don't mind getting wet ;o) Have you asked them why you always have to remind them? I'll bet they will have an answer ;o) even if it's "I dunno" LOL

 

[Kris Jordan]

My twin 7yr old sisters need reminded all the time when it's raining, they go to go out with them open but they have hoods up so we say "zip it too".

So as the title asks, why do kids need prompted to zip jackets up?

= Because they're children. That is why God gave them parents to teach, train and equip them for responsible adulthood.

 

[Ophiolite]

Let them get wet. The two most probable outcomes are :
1. They get wet, find it unpleasant and remember to zip up thereafter.
2. They get wet, decide its not an issue and continue unzipped.

In case 2, what are the downsides? You have to dry their clothes when they get home. Surely that's not a big deal. And sooner or later they will get tired of being wet. Other downsides? They get a chill. That's not very likely and children generally have good immune systems. And it should be enough to discourage further unzipping.

Problem solved. The thing is, we know we learn from our mistakes, and the smart people learn from the mistakes of others, but children generally haven't acquired that skill. (I know plenty of adults who have the same restriction.) Let them make the mistake. After while they'll realise it makes some sense to listen to some adults.

 

[mina]

Kids aren't perfect. Sometimes they are thinking of other things instead of what they need to do. It's not that big of a deal and as an adult you help them by reminding them. Eventually as they get older or they learn it's preferable to stay dry, they will be able to think of it on their own.

 

[Acts2:38]

My twin 7yr old sisters need reminded all the time when it's raining, they go to go out with them open but they have hoods up so we say "zip it too".

So as the title asks, why do kids need prompted to zip jackets up?

Repetition is important. Sure its annoying, but like one poster said, they are kids. We teach them the hows and whys and hope they can carry that along with them when they become adults (responsible for themselves).

My 2 boys (3 and 6) are consistently in learning. Whether by consequences or rewards, they eventually get the point.

Some posters have mentioned the philosophy of just "letting them experience life" kinda thing. I would highly recommend not doing that. It's a horrible idea. Parents are parents for a reason. To teach our kids, not just let them bumble around experiencing life themselves. That's not being a parent.

Just bare with them, helping teach them. Use activities or rewards that help them remember to zip their coats. They will get it soon enough.

 

[blackribbon]

Why do they need to zip their coats? Many adults don't. There isn't a law that says coats need to be zipped. If the end results of not zipping bother them, they will remember. If not, why do you care?

The reverse question would be, why do you feel the need to keep telling them to zip their coats if they are completely capable of doing so themselves and obviously don't care?

My two are 21 and 23. I don't remember needing to tell them to zip it up all the time because at 7, it was their problem, not mine. They figured it out themselves.

 

[GodLovesCats]

Any ideas on how I can get my sisters to do it without needing asked?

Bribe them. "If you zip up your jacket, I will let you stay out five more minutes."

 

[Nithavela]

My mother always wanted me to put on warm clothes because she's cold.

Still only zip my coat when it's windy so it doesn't start flapping around.

 

[Clizby WampusCat]

Some posters have mentioned the philosophy of just "letting them experience life" kinda thing. I would highly recommend not doing that. It's a horrible idea. Parents are parents for a reason. To teach our kids, not just let them bumble around experiencing life themselves. That's not being a parent.

It depends on what you mean by this. Never teaching them anything and only letting them learn by consequence is a bad thing. But I don't think anyone is advocating that. You can let your children learn by consequence for certain things. Things that won't harm them but could teach them a lesson and can be talked about afterwards by the parent.

Letting your children make mistakes while they are in your house and you can control the outcome can be a good thing and a teaching experience for you and your child. Letting them make mistakes while the consequences are low can lead to them making better decisions when the consequences are high, but you need to follow up with advice and teaching. Zipping a jacket is a low consequence thing to let them make a bad decision. My son when he was 5 would not wear a jacket when it was cold, so instead of forcing him to we let him be cold for a couple of days when we went out. He decided that he wanted a jacket after that and we talked about why he did not want one and why he didn't want to do what we asked him to do.