Why do some mother's dress their siblings like twins?

Question

I am perplexed. I work in the childcare field and I have seen this more than 2-3 times. A mother dresses siblings like they are twins, when in fact they are a year or two apart. Fathers do not take part in this behavior, as we have carefully evaluated who is dropping the child off in the mornings. It is always the mom. Any thoughts on that? Is it a need for attention? PS: These are great mom's; no doubt...just a little concerned why a 3 year old and a 5 year old are dressed exactly the same. I worry about the oldest child going to public school. Will this affect her identity at all? Curious for opinions.

Answer 1

Some moms just think it's cute. Maybe at some point the kids really liked it. Might also prevent some arguing over clothes.

I don't see it really affecting identity unless they are forced to dress alike past the point where they want to do it. That would likely have more to do with how they are treated at home than how they are dressed.

If the child is asking  for different clothes, I'd just tell the mom  "Sally didn't like her clothes today because they were just like Susie's. She asked to change. I don't think she likes dressing the same anymore." That's assuming that Sally SAID that was the reason she wanted to change. Leave it in the mom's court. If she wants to change at school, let her.

Answer 2

From my experience in childcare when Ive spoken to the mums (light heartedly) about it they say its the childrens choice...they moan and complain if sister gets a new top and they often want the same one so they up being the same to give mum peace and quiet...the dad's tended to only be there in the morning occasionally due to work and were often less likely to give in to the children :)

I dont think it will affect identitiy-there will come a day when they just dont want to do it anymore! They will have own friends, interests etc once higher up in the school chain :)

Answer 3

i dont no

Answer 4

I am a mom that dresses my girls alike! I think it is cute and have never heard any complaints outta my girls! My 8 & 3 year old like to match and the 1 year old doesn't know any better! I don't dress them like that for attention! I love having three girls and try to make them look nice!

PS my 3 year old is really picky when it comes to clothes. Maybe the little girl just didn't want to wear that outfit that day!

Answer 5

My two boys dress alike alot of the time (3 and 4).  The younger one thinks the older on is just the coolest person on Earth and wants to be like him.  I have absolutely nothing against it, even when they were to young to care, I would dress them alike.  Usually not exactly, but if one had jeans and a striped polo, the other did to, just different colors.

Answer 6

I also noticed when I voulnteer in classes. Where the 5 1/2 year old is dressed like there 7 year old sibling and a 5 year old is dressed like her/his 1 year old sibling. To me it takes the personal identity of each person away. Trust me I know a lot of twins and they even hated it when they were dressed a like they say it takes away from there own form of style and personality.

Answer 7

I have 2 boys, 11 months apart, and they could pass for fraternal twins.  But that's not why i dress them alike.

1- It is easier to deal with them in public when they're dressed alike (such as at the park), if one goes off somewhere... "Sir did you see a little boy that looks like this?"  Just had to do that one at McDonald's on Thursday!

2- It is easier buying their clothes, if they are on the same rack!

3- It cuts down getting out the door time.  The younger looks over at the older to see what to do next.  Pants... like this... ok!

4- Yes, I constantly get the qn "They're twins? No?"  and it is sometimes annoying, since i'm not doing it for attention (see above).  I do believe they enjoy it now.  When they start hating it, they can pick out their own clothes, and get themselves ready - completely on their own.  No pressure from me!

One last thing, I'm more of a mother that doesn't want my boys to feel *excluded* (as i was as a youngest child).  Whatever I do for the older (soccer, music lessons, whatever), i want to be able to do for the younger.  They will more notice exclusivity since they are so close.  That may be how dressing them alike started, but it is a less important factor.

And, BTW, my hubby participates by buying the clothes alike just as often as I do!  He doesn't always dress them alike tho.

Answer 8

they do it because they can. they think it is cute or something, but these kids r individuals.

all this about asking them whether they want to wear differrent stuff is just dumb - they are too young to make proper decisions at that age!

yes it is restricting their identities, but sadly its the mums choice/dads choice if hes into that sorta thing.

also, twins shood not b dressed the same! (sure, its cute 2 start with, but...) these kids are individuals who will come to resent being the same as a sibling if they are always made out to be the same. i no several sets of twins where this has happened, and it is rather sad.

Answer 9

im not a childcare person or anything but my mom dressed me and my sister alike a lot when we were little

she thought it looked nice

sometimes she still wants us to dress alike even though now i am 14 and my sister is 12

Answer 10

my friend is in the(going) 5th grade (like me) and her sister is going 2 7th and they used to dress the same. disgusting

Answer 11

i think those mom's just think it's cute and that it draws attention to their children.  personally, i don't get it either except for maybe a family portrait.  i would think they'd want to foster that sense of individuality and self style for each child.  plus, the poor second child will probably have to wear the hand me downs so that poor child doesn't get new clothes but seems to wear the same ones over and over again.

Answer 12

It stops the fussing and wining in the morning over what to wear and who has the 'better' outfit. I see it all the time in children who are close in age and really young, usually it is more the younger child wanting to be like the older.

I had been a nanny for a family of 'irish' twins one was exactly a year older, they were constant with 'I wants'  and 'buts' when getting dressed or when getting presents. I never understood at first why they were dressed like twins but I understood by the end of week one. It cut my dressing time in half simple as that.