Back-to-School
Shopping
The back to school rush is
one of the most hectic and stressful times of year for parents.
As most are pressed for time and attempting to stick to a
budget, all the back-to-school shopping expenses and tasks
(clothes, new shoes, school supplies etc.) can seem overwhelming,
especially when you have a whining child on your hands who
most likely either detests shopping or wants everything in
the store. There are a few tips and ideas parents can keep
in mind to help maintain their sanity and ensure that their
child gets what he/she needs without breaking the bank or
spending the end of you summer in a constant rush back and
forth to the mall.
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- Only shop at stores where you can really afford to stock
up so that you and your child won’t be frustrated
in stores where you can only buy one or two items.
- If
your child is age 10 or older, let her be in control of
her own budget. Tell her how much she’s allowed
to spend, and let her make the choices.
- Stage
a fall fashion show with your child to figure out which
clothes she’s outgrown and should be given away.
- Think
about items that you need that you would rather not buy
new. Who can you ask for hand-me-downs?
- Check
the status of sneakers and shoes for the fall.
- When
shopping for back-to-school clothes, have your child wear
tight-fitting shorts and a top, so she can try the clothes
on without going to the dressing room.
- Mail-order
catalogs can be time-savers. Have your child help pick
out what he likes, and it saves you a shopping trip.
- Try
on new shoes in the evening, since feet can swell as much
as half a size during the day.
- Make
sure your child can remove and pull on his own shoes.
Velcro works wonders if your child has not yet mastered
lace-tying.
- Buy
clothing that is easy to manipulate for using the bathroom
at school. Zippered jeans might look adorable, but your
child will be embarrassed if he needs to ask for help
zipping them up and buttoning them closed. Elastic waist
pants are the way to go in nursery school and kindergarten.
SAVING
MONEY
- Ask friends and family for hand-me-downs, and express
your appreciation with movie tickets, homemade cookies,
or an outfit for their older child.
- Host
a children’s clothes swap party. Invite neighbors,
friends, and family to bring outgrown clothes, have everyone
help sort clothes into piles by size, and then let selections
begin. Donate the leftovers to a homeless shelter for
children, an orphanage, or local charity collections for
families in need.
- Before
ordering from a catalog, measure your child around his
waist, crotch to ankle, waist to ankle, and around his
chest. When you call, take advantage of a salesperson’s
expertise, and ask how the store’s clothing sizes
run.
- Shop
at retail sales in July and buy clothes for the coming
year.
- Avoid
resentment over hand-me-downs by calling them "Preschool
clothes" or
"First-grade clothes."
- Label
everything so that your child's new $100 coat does not
go home with someone else and stay in someone else's closet
after being forgotten on a playdate.
About
the Author:
A dynamic national speaker, consultant, corporate spokesperson,
and writer, Stacy DeBroff is President and founder of Mom
Central,
Inc., a company devoted to providing pragmatic tips and advice
to
strengthen busy families and enhance the home environment.
Stacy has
written several best-selling books on household and family
organization including The
Mom Book Goes to School; The
Mom Book: 4,278 Tips for Moms; Sign
Me Up! The Parent's Complete Guide to Sports, Activities,
and Extracurriculars; and Mom
Central: The Ultimate Family Organizer.
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