Dressing the Strong-Willed Child

I may have to write a book with this title someday.   Or...maybe not.   But nearly every morning this summer, I've had the following argument with the Wee One, who likes to dress himself.   Well, let's not gild the lily here -- he likes to do EVERYTHING himself, but that's beside the point.  

So, pretty much every morning since the weather's gotten too warm to wear long pants, Wee One puts up a fuss about having to wear shorts. Even on the days when the temps were already near 80 at 9 am, he would throw a tantrum when I refused to let him wear his heavy, red Buckeye sweats that he loves more than life. He likes to pick out his own clothes, and I'm okay with that (he's able to match clothing better than either his father or his brother on most days), but I'm NOT okay with him getting heat stroke in the name of fashion.

So the argument goes pretty much like this every day:
N: Mom? Shorts and T-shirt?
Me: Yes, honey.
N: WHYYYYYYYYY?
Me: Because it's going to be hot today, baby. And I don't want you to get overheated and get sick and not be able to run and play.
N: But Mommy!!!! I'm COLD!!!! My wegs are COOOOOOLD!!!
Me: Your legs are not cold. You were sleeping nearly naked without complaint. Put on shorts, please.
N: I don't WANNA put on shorts! I don't WIKE shorts! I wike WONG PANTS!!!
Me: Yes, honey. I know. *sigh* Please put on shorts. When it gets cold again, you can wear long pants again.
N: But Mommy -
Me: Honey, would you like to pick out your own shorts and t-shirt, or should I come pick them out for you?
N: NO! NO!!!! I'll pick dem!!!
Me: OK, then. See you downstairs.


I do love my darling, strong-willed baby boy.   But he makes me work so haaaarrrrrddddd....