Given the chance, most of us would describe our toddlers as spirited. She’s got her own mind, if you know what I mean. She knows what she wants, she’s not afraid to boss people around, and even when it’s twenty below outside, she refuses to wear mittens.

One of our most popular articles last winter was about keeping your baby warm, but now that Baby’s not a baby anymore, it’s not so easy to bundle her up, is it? She can un-thumb her mittens, she can un-zip her zippers. And lo, she does. The little rascal seems bound and determined to get frostbite, leaving you frustrated, exhausted, and — ironically — sweating before you even get out the door. There has to be a better way.

Remember, before we even begin, that your little one is still so young. She’s only experienced a few winters in her life, and she probably doesn’t remember them. Parental insistence that it’s cold outside doesn’t mean much when you don’t know what cold means … but that doesn’t mean it’s not cold outside. Start with telling your child about the changing seasons. Use props if you think they might help: a hair dryer can help communicate the concept of hot, while an ice cube is pretty clearly cold. Books and online videos can help illustrate the changes our world undergoes each season, as can a commitment to actually getting outside on a regular basis to experience said changes up close.

Beyond the theory, however, is a very important crossroads. You have to leave the house, it’s twenty below and falling out there, and your child will not acquiesce to even a jacket. How to communicate the importance of warmth with an opinionated and unreasonable little firecracker?

The most important step you can take in encouraging your child to dress warmly is to do so yourself, every time. Do you own a proper winter jacket, hat, scarf, gloves? Do you wear them every time you leave the house? Make sure you do so at least as often as you want your child to, such that they will never be able to argue, “But you never zip up your coat.”

Further, try asking your child to take responsibility for your warmth before you venture out. Instead of forcing him into his mittens, ask him to find yours, and be clear that you (not he) can’t leave the house without proper protection from the elements. If that’s too transparent an approach, you could also try putting him in charge of a younger sibling’s winter gear, or a special doll’s. Toddlers and preschoolers love to model their parents, to help out, and to feel big, so this could be a great way to communicate the message without having to pull out the because-I-said-so card.

There is, of course, an element of fun to be had with winter gear. All the toddler and preschooler essentials can be found in a rainbow of colours, or festooned with your little one’s favorite motifs or characters. Especially if you’ve been relying on hand-me-downs, consider springing for a little something new in your child’s favorite colour, and see if that makes a difference. Consider whether your child’s current articles might be itchy or otherwise irritating, and see if you can splurge on some merino wool to correct the problem.

Consider turning the temperature down at home --- blasphemy, we know! But stick with us here: turning down the thermostat not only saves you a bit of money, but also makes the pursuit of warmth a more natural part of life in the winter months. It’s not just something to do before you leave the house; it’s something to do inside, too. Woolen slippers (Padraigs, anyone?) can be put on first thing in the morning, only to be exchanged for boots at the front door, and insulting long johns can be worn both as pajamas and as a base layer underneath daytime clothing. One less thing to fight about putting on before going outside.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, you might get some mileage out of, for once, allowing your kids to go outside wearing whatever they want. Your preschooler won’t take off her tutu? Let her step outside to feel the cold on her skin, such that your insisting she’ll freeze out there actually has a muscle memory associated with it. Your son insists that superheroes do not wear jackets over their unitards? Take him with you to get the mail, and see how far you get before someone wants to go back home. Even if your toddler won’t admit he or she is cold (often since they don’t recognize the feeling yet), the appearance of physical signs like chattering teeth or spreading goosebumps offer opportunities to talk about how our bodies send us messages.

Learn to recognize and respect your child’s non-verbal signs of physical discomfort. Cold extremities are among the first signs of encroaching chill, as are a bright nose, flushed cheeks, and a dripping nose. Do what you can to lessen the effects of cold (monitor outside time, bring extra layers just in case, provide hot chocolate), and don’t be afraid to step in and insist your child come inside if you’re seriously concerned about frostbite or wind chill.

Also be aware of the possibility of overheating in winter. An active little one may well get too warm if she’s been forced to wear too much winter gear, so layers will be an important part of your winterizing regime throughout these winter months.