[carolynpep73]

I really dislike the word normal, but for lack of a better term, I'm using it. My DD who is 2.5 insists on wearing "soft pants" every day. This means cotton knit shorts, pants, etc. She refuses to wear denim or khaki shorts. She never had a problem with it before and now all of the sudden it's a big deal. Occasionally, if she's in the right mood, I can talk her into something different.

Also, she is a huge sock person. I doesn't have to be a certain kind of sock, but just some kind of sock. She wears them to bed and with every pair of shoes she owns. The only time she'll take them off is in the tub, pool, or at the beach.

Do I need to begin looking into sensory issues or do I chalk this up to a phase? What other signs would I look for if it were sensory? My mother insists that it's a phase, and I'm more inclined to believe that, but I want to make sure I'm not missing something.

Thanks for your advice!

[Tina021994]

My oldest son went through that also but he was a little older so he just told me that he did not like the feel of the harder jeans etc... When I would shop for him I would let him try on all the pants and get the softest waistbands, I found he did not like the fit in the waist of jeans and the cotton pants would have soft elastic. I would give her a little time and let her experiment when trying on things.
Tina

[DPline]

My opinion is while it could be sensory issues, I would suspect it is a phase. My older son (now 9.5) went through a 'soft pants' phase around age 5/6. He would only wear sweatpants or track pants. My daughter went through it this winter at age 4. She only wanted velour pants. Though she would give in to tights and a skirt on occassion as long as they were just right. For my son it lasted over a year. With my daughter it was a few months.

Both my sons always have to have socks on and don't like to be barefoot. Even to sleep and in the summer. Neither even like sandles.

I have a friend whose son has mild sensory issues, and while they are mild, they are much more extreme than this. Not just 'soft pants' but just the right ones with the seams in just the right place, etc. And only just one particular kind of sock, etc.

Really, I think most kids go through this at one point or another.

Good luck!

[Devora]

My 3-year old son definitely prefers soft pants as well -- who wouldn't? My favorite clothes are soft, too! It's no big deal.

As for the socks -- I don't think that's a big deal, either. It's a matter of what she finds comfortable. Right now my son is wearing socks to sleep in. I think he just prefers it because during the winter he wears footed pajamas. Now that he's in his spring pajamas he still wants his feet covered. Maybe they get cold? Maybe it just seems "normal" to him? Maybe he just thinks it's funny?

At this age they get a lot of quirks -- for some kids it's clothes, for others it's food, for others it's that their stuffed animals need to be lined up in a certain order. The can't communicate all the "why"s behind their preferences, but they definitely have them.

[Theslaws]

Since its just begun I'd say watch it for a bit. Definately keep it in the back of your mind that it could well be a sensory issue. Pay attention if she starts to develop any more "quirks". If it starts to get in the way of daily life (huge tantrums related to it) then I'd consider getting her checked out. Im a speech therapist who works with kids with sensory issues and we always say if it gets in the way of daily functioning and life then it is an issue looking into.

Good luck!!!

[bls0708]

My nephews, 5 and 10 years old, have gone through this phase... actually, they're still going through it. With them, though, it is all about the shirts. I cannot buy them sweaters or cute thermal tops. If there's a texture, they go crazy. It has to be smooth, soft cotton shirts or t-shirts.

Kids are funny, aren't they?

[dance_muffin]

I wouldn't worry about it, kids love soft clothing. My daughter hates to wear tights (as I hate to wear stockings). I think it's just a preference for your dd.

Btw, I'm a big sock person myself...love cozy socks in the winter. My dh teases me that's it's really "appealing" that I wear fuzzy socks to bed.

[carolynpep73]

Thank you so much. You've put my mind at ease. I don't blame her for wanting to wear cotton clothing but I have so many cute things that she just refuses to put on...Oh well. It's not the end of the world. It's not a battle I'm willing to fight.

About the socks...I totally understand keeping your feet cozy and warm in the winter but we live in Florida. It's about 85 right now

[brandydawn]

My daughter refuses to wear soft pants or socks. She is three and insists on jeans or khakis (as long as there are pockets) and shoes w/o socks.

She also is having trouble adjusting from pants to shorts and we live in Houston were it is also nice and hot.

They develop their likes/dislikes pretty early, she only wears princess shirts some weeks and hair down while other weeks she is more open and wants a pony tail every day.

I love every minute of it!

Regards,
Brandy

[annaguat]

Maybe it is a phase but the soft pants did bring to mind a little boy with sensory issues who will only wear sweat pants. As for the sock thing, some of mine love socks too. I am hoping it is just a phase and not sensory issues. You have to admit soft pants sure feel nice. Hugs,Anna

[TeeTee]

I agree that it is probably a phase. When my son was 3-4 yrs old he would only wear blanket sleepers...he LOVED them. Even wore them to the mall, anywhere and everywhere. His shoes fit on him with the footed ones so he just wore it like clothes. Oh well...didn't hurt anything, but people probably thhought I was a LAZY Mom for not getting him dressed . It was a battle I chose not to fight and he got over it. He is 7 now and wouldn't be caught in a blanket sleeper for anything now...LOL!

[dpaine]

My DD refuses to wear anything denim--jeans, jean jacket, jean skirt, nothing. One day I just left the jean jacket out and she kept whining and crying and saying no...She is less resistant to Khaki's but still fusses when I put them on. I've wondered the same as you--she's been this way with denim for about 6 months (she's only 2 1/4 now) but doesn't seem to have developed other "issues" with clothes.

she prefers not to have socks but since she has to wear them at daycare, she does let me put them on every morning--just not first thing...

I just packed up some jeans and a jean jacket to give to a friend that I never managed to get on her!

Hoping it's a phase...

Dorie

[jking5344]

I taught special education to students with mild forms of autism for several years. I wouldn't worry about sensory issues unless your daughter becomes ultra sensitive to other areas (noise, taste, smells, textures, etc) and they interfere with daily life. My daughter, 3.5 yrs. LOVES the "soff pants" right now too. It's been fun reading about other kids who do too! Thanks for starting this post.

Jessie

[dawnrenee58]

This thread is so funny! Timo (almost 3) loves his "comfy pants"!!! He will still wear jeans when we are out and about, but the second we get home, he strips them off and goes and gets a pair of sweats. In the morning, he totally goes potty by himself, then takes his jammies off, puts them in the laundry, and then puts on comfy pants and a shirt. Then he comes to me all ready to play!
I thought it was just him who was obsessed with his own comfort!

[wildboyz2]

Welcome to my world!!! Both of my boys have sensory issues with clothes, especially my oldest. We can't have zippers in his jeans although he does wear jean like pull up clothes. His is a sensory issue it has been going on for more than a year.

Keep an eye on her but chances are it's just a phase. Lots of kids go through phases where they will only wear certain type of clothes or colors or whatever. If it continues past 6 months and results in absoulte meltdowns and such then you might contact an occupational therapist then.