How can I get Jack to wear collared/henley shirts again??!! - Support Group for Moms, Dads, Grandparents and other caregivers of Babies with Infant Reflux and GERD

***Aim*** · 10-04-2009, 04:19 PM

The only shirts Jack will wear are T-shirts and it's driving me and DH crazy! He will not wear polos, button-downs, henleys or anything that has a placket against his chest. I tried having him wear an undershirt to "buffer" the placket against his chest, but no go. Which makes me think now it's more of a control/mental issue than a true sensory one like he claims. But if we can even get him to put a shirt on like that, all he'll do is whine and tug at the placket and fidget incessantly until we let him take it off. He used to have issues with tags (I do, too), so I KNOW there is some sensory stuff at play here, but he wore these kinds of shirts with no problems when he was younger and now in the last 6 months-to-a- year, he has developed a complete and mysterious aversion to them.

He got a bunch of short and long-sleeve polo shirts for his birthday that would be great for school, but they just sit in his closet untouched. Of course, there's the hope/expectation that at least Michael will probably be able to wear them, but I feel like we need to get Jack over this sensory hump since he can't avoid wearing "dress" shirts his whole life!

Any suggestions? I still have his old OTs e-mail address...maybe I could/should send her a message to pick her brain...? I still have his brush from when we were doing the brushing/joint compression therapy, too...worth a try?

kerrinry · 10-04-2009, 07:17 PM

OMG! I know it's been awhile since I popped on but I can NOT believe those are your boys in the profile pic. They are so big and handsome

Sam is the exact same way. I don't know how much is comfort vs actual dislikle but he will only wear t's. It is very frustrating b/c Jack is the opposite and loves dressier type shirts. All of Jacks Hand me downs were refused by Sam. I guess I just accept it now. 1/2 the time he wears his pj shirts b/c he has batman, darth maul, etc... pjs. lol

I know that didn't help but wanted to pop in and say hi

***Aim*** · 10-04-2009, 08:43 PM

Hi, Kerri!

I JUST updated my sig pic yesterday because I still had photos of the boys up from last year. This photo was taken in early August before their bowling birthday party. I'm amazed sometimes, too, when I look at them (and remember how far we've come!)

Jack would LIVE in pajamas if we would let him! LOL I'm sure it's something he will eventually outgrow, but I'd like to nip it in the bud sooner than later (if at all possible)...KWIM?!

***Twins plus Two*** · 10-05-2009, 03:04 AM

Sorry, no ideas

DS1 (nearly 12) has refused point blank since a toddler! Since he will wear the school uniform shirt I put up with the refusal since tbh there are so many other battles to fight which I would rather put my energy in

However, I hear your frustration!!#

kate xx

AvasMommy · 10-05-2009, 06:25 AM

T-shirt undershirt under the collared shirt??? Would that help...like a tagless undershirt? If not, I've learned to just pick my battles. If it's not imperative that he wear a collar, like if he's golfing or going to a club

, then I wouldn't worry all that much.

Katey · 10-05-2009, 07:16 AM

I have been lucky, Sebastian is getting way better with his sensory stuff this year. He will wear the paint smock at school now (except once he starts something he takes it all the way and insisted on wearing a paint smock to Aquadoodle) The other day I was helping him with his shoe and he said "my sock is a little wrinkly, but that's ok, you don't have to fix it mom" I almost fainted!!!!!

I hope it is something he gets over soon. It would drive me nuts to have cloths that I could not get any use out of. Sebastian lives in his polos and henleys, they are so much cuter the tee shirts! Though we can't do button downs, cuz he undoes the buttons and let his sexy chest hang out!!!