Having Problems, please help

[I'm Confused]

Im having trouble with my nieces they keep saying Im being unfair to them, let me explain. They are eleven and fourteen and regularly come to stay with me for a few days. I love to have them as I live alone and its company for me. One of the things I like to do when they stay is dress them up in nice clothes, this is were the problem is as they don't like the clothing I choose for them. You see they always wear jeans, trainers etc but I like to dress them nicely in lovely material. I love to dress them in velvet or satin dresses and nice coats but they say its not the fashion and they feel silly. For example the last time they stayed I put them in two lovely satin dresses, they fanned out from the waste into a wide skirt and for shoes satin pumps with bows on the front. They looked lovely but all they did was complain. They said they felt silly when we went out and that it wasnt the fashion. It's the same when I do their hair. I like them to have their hair in ponytails with a ribbon in it. It looks lovely but again they say they dont like it. They do wear what I want in the end but they always moan. The clothing I buy for them is top quality and very expensive so I dont understand why they complain. This time when they visit I have got my eleven year old niece a crushed velvet dress that buttons up at the side. They hadnt got the dress in my older nieces size so I've got her a velvet two peace dress the bottom half a skirt and the top is a velvet corset top that ends in a V shape at the bottom and ties up at the back with lace. It's really a bridesmaid dress but the skirt is straight so its practical for her to wear. Ive got them two lovely long hooded coats again they are bridesmaid coats. They have large cloak type hoods; they will look lovely up. For shoes two lovely pair of suede slipons and their hair I thought ponytails with ribbons they will look like two princesses. I dont understand why they are so ungrateful the clothing I buy them is top quality. You would think they would love to wear it and look nice. Why are they being so ungrateful.

[smackie9]

I remember when my mom tried that on me. Being a tomboy I reacted the same way. These girls are too old for that now. These days girls are more mature and indepentent at an earlier age. Find out what their interests are. Maybe you can do something that they would like to do ie: shopping at the mall. You don't want to make them resentful of you.

[I'm Confused]

I think I will compromise with my nieces. One time my younger niece can wear her own clothing but with the bridesmaid coat and the hair ribbon and the next time she will wear the clothing I had planned the crushed velvet dress and the suede shoes but she can wear her own coat. My older niece just this time I will dress her as planned because the bridesmaid dress I have for her is so lovely. Together with the coat, suede shoes and the hair ribbon she will look like a princess. Then next time I will use the same system as with my younger niece. One time they can wear their own clothing but with the bridesmaid coats or any other coat I choose and their hair how I choose, the next time they will wear a dress and shoes I choose but with their own coat. I’ve seen two lovely satin coats with fur lined hoods I might get them next. I think this system is fair.

[smackie9]

Why do you have this obsession with dressing up your nieces? They are not dolls. Why is it so important to you to do this with them? Why not play games or make some popcorn and watch a movie? How would you like it if someone always made you do something that you didn't like or made you feel uncomfortable? Not fun.