The Girls and Clothing Phase

Has your tween surprised you by announcing shehates everything in her closet? Or, has she made it clear that you are not to purchase any clothes for her without her approval? Tweens can be choosy when it comes to fashion and the clothes they wear, and the change can happen overnight. One day they could care less about what they wear, the next they're scrutinizing everything down to their socks, and insisting that they absolutely have to have a certain pair of jeans.

Tweens face remarkable pressure from their peers to fit in, and to wear certain styles of clothing. Here's how to teach your tween to make good choices (within your limits and budget), and help her maintain a sense of individuality.

Girls and Clothing: Set Fashion Limits

It's important that your child have some say in the clothes she wears, and tweens know what's fashionable and what isn't. It's also important that you give your child the opportunity to establish her own sense of style, and that may mean wearing clothes that are very different from the clothes you would choose for her. As long as these clothes aren't objectionable, give her the space to make her own decisions.

However, be firm when it comes to clothes that are too mature or revealing, as well as clothes that may display vulgar words or images, or conflict with your family's values. Your child is trying to establish a sense of self, but you're still the parent and have the right to set limits.

If your tween daughter wants to wear clothing that you think is inappropriate or too revealing, explain why it's important for her to dress her age, and show her where you want her neckline to be, and where her skirt should fall. If she really wants a shirt that you think is low-cut, try to compromise by finding a camisole or a t-shirt to wear underneath.