Coworker: Make sure you’re bundled up because it’s cold enough that the baby can feel it.
Reeeeeeeeally.
The baby has me as a coat. I think she’s fine.
So here’s the deal: I hate wearing coats in the car. They make me feel confined.

Plus…you can’t put your arms down.
If I’m walking 30 feet to my car, I often don’t put a coat on.
The same is true of exiting my car. Unless it’s super windy or snowing, I’m not wearing my coat to walk 30 feet to the building I work in.
I’ve always run hot. Because that comes from my dad’s side of the family, my own mom struggled with this. Here was her coat evolution:
- Put on your coat and gloves on.
- Put your coat on and put gloves in the pockets.
- Zip it up.
- Zip it up all the way!
- Where’s your coat? Why aren’t you wearing it?
- Fine. You don’t have to wear a coat, but you do have to put it in the car in case you get stuck somewhere.*
*You’ll notice there is no mention of hats. Hats were a lost cause.
And that’s how I’ve rolled ever since. I may not be wearing a coat, but I always have one.
Will I make the baby wear a coat? Of course. But not while she’s still in my tummy. That’s just overkill.