Parenting Perspectives: Keeping our Houdini clothed

It’s no secret we want our children to learn to do things for themselves. After all, it makes our life as parents much more manageable.

My son, Carter, a 5-year-old who loves life and also happens to have Williams syndrome, has had many bumps in the road while learning everyday care like dressing, brushing teeth and potty training.

Many 5-year-olds still need help and guidance in these tasks, and Carter is no exception.

He recently made great strides in learning to dress and undress himself. He can even tackle those rascally buttons and zippers. For you parents of children with special needs out there, we all know what an amazing milestone it is when your child learns to master those little finger pinchers. For many, this comes naturally, but for others it’s not so easy picking up something with two little fingers.

Carter has been learning to master this skill since before his first birthday. I remember reading evaluations about how he picks up his cereal puffs off his high chair tray, all while thinking, “Really? Is that such a big deal?”

Sure enough, it truly is. And he accomplished it when he was ready, regardless that it was after several years and much hard work and therapy.

But with this great dressing success comes a new challenge – keeping him dressed.

It doesn’t surprise me to walk into the living room and find him naked on the living room floor. Luckily I have heard of no such problems while at preschool. Fully dressed for pickup? Wonderful.

The real problem comes during those night-time hours. I have a monitor but cannot possibly watch him every second. He becomes this little Houdini, breaking out of any type of pajamas we put him in.

With the first sounds of grunting, a sign of his hard work undressing, his father or I run into his room to guide him into keeping his clothes on at night.

I admit I finally gave up. I gave up the running into his room. I gave up telling him over and over to keep his clothes on. I gave up the constantly checking the monitor to see if he’s indeed clothed.

I went online shopping for some amazing pajamas called the Little Keeper Sleeper. These pajamas are specially designed for little Houdinis like my Carter. They zip up the back and have three clips that go over the zipper to prevent your Houdini from escaping his pajamas.

These don’t solve my daytime undressing problems, but they are fewer and farther between now anyway.

So far, I am definitely winning this challenge. Now if only they were a little bit cheaper.

If you’re like me and have a little Houdini in your house, you probably 1) need more sleep and 2) want to know where to find these magical little pajamas. You can buy them at http://littlekeepersleeper.com.

Parents of little Houdinis, you’re welcome.

Kerri Kava is The Learning Forum coordinator for The Forum. She can be reached at kkava@forumcomm.com.

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