Inspired by School Clothes Thread...When do you stop buying School Clothes?

[chrisn]

For instance, DD is a HS Senior this year. She works 2 days a week and pays her own cell phone bill and gas. We pay for her insurance and buy all of her school clothes. Am I done because she graduates in May or am I screwed because she's College bound? If you continue to buy them school clothes during college, is it on the same financial level?

The reason for this madness is that I was starting to get excited about the prospect of only having to buy school clothes for 1 kid next year then I thought huh!?

What would you do?

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

I'm not speaking from experience, all my kids are in elementary school, but I would think that the majority of their high school clothes would still fit. I know that when I was in high school my clothes toward my senior year leaned toward more professional outfits for job hunting, etc. I would think maybe just one or two outfits to keep their wardrobe up to date would be all that was necessary, but that could even be for Christmas.

 

[kkaisu]

I know my parents still bought my sister and I "school" clothes when we went to college right after high school, but neither one of us worked much when we first started college. I quit and went back later at age 27 - mom didn't buy my any school clothes this time hehe.

I think I will buy school clothes for my daughter when she is in college. She is only 13 now so I have a while to wait.

 

[MrsPete]

Good question. I think it could be extended to other areas of life too. If your child goes straight from high school to college, do you continue to pay health insurance, car insurance, hair cuts, allowance?

As for clothing . . . I'd continue to buy my daughters' BASIC clothing during college -- a couple pairs of jeans and some sweatshirts in the fall, some new shorts and tees in the spring. Maybe some special boots for Christmas, or a gift certificate to be used for a new bathing suit for their spring birthdays. If they wanted special things (i.e., a new dress for a semi-formal dance or an expensive designer top), they'd have to pay for them.

When they're about ready to graduate, I'd take them on a professional clothes shopping trip. They'll need interview clothes. I'd probably buy them 3-4 career outfits.

 

[jkmmah]

My parents quit buying school clothes for me when I showed them I wasn't taking good care of the ones they'd already bought. When Mom saw my clothes tossed in piles on the floor and saw me tossing all my clothes together in the washer as one big load (whites, jeans, reds, blacks, it all went together) she decided it was time to force me to use my paychecks to buy my own stuff. It was a lesson well-learned! When you have to spend your own hard-earned money on something you tend to take better care of it and treat it right.

I believe I was about a sophomore or junior in high school when this happened.

However, on special occasions my parents would still treat me to something like a new Easter dress, or my gown for the prom, etc. And Christmas presents often consisted of some sort of clothes that I needed.

As for clothes for everyday, back-to-school, just because...that was on my own as outlined above.

 

[BostonTink85]

I agree with the poster who said that during high school you don't really need a whole new wardrobe every year. I only bought a couple shirts and a couple pairs of pants each year (throughout the year not all in the summer/fall).

Back to the original question though, I started buying my own clothes around junior year in high school. I babysat a lot so i always had some cash (I didn't get a credit card until last year-freshman in college). Sometimes if I go shopping with my mom she'll pay, but if I go by myself (and during the school year) I always use my own money (which isn't much )

Hope that helps!

 

[pyrxtc]

I think after high school is a very appropriate time to stop buying clothes. In college they get the stuff they need like books and food but clothing certificates for x-mas, birthdays, and also pay for their special occasion outfits.

 

[Maleficents_Revenge]

Going in to high school, I plan on setting up an incentive plan. She will always get the basics that she needs, but I want her to continue to study and work hard and I will be more than happy to reward her for doing so. I will do the same in college as well if she wants me to.

I do plan on paying tuition and books in college. I don't want her to have to worry about working if she doesn't want to. If she does want to work, that is fine, but I will still do the things I mentioned.

Before high school, I think that you pretty much have to buy most everything. Who knows, the way some of them dress, maybe I should hold on to her 5T's.

BTW, she starts Kindergarten this year so I have a while to perfect my plan.

 

[mamalle]

I have to agree with the previous poster- good grades=rewards in this family. we also are paying for the kids college tution and its something I dont ever want them to have to worry about- study and make good grades is it for me. I will help out and give them clothing and such as needed. there are always holidays that I will figure out what is needed and give them as gifts. Mine too started kindergarten and we have quite a long time to worry about such things but like my mother did for us- we too will do for our kids!

 

[IMALOVNDISNEY]

Once In High School, My Mother (a Single Parent) And I Shared In The Expense Of My Clothes. She Said As Long As I Stayed In School And My Grades Were Good She'd Help. She Did This With All 5 Of Us. She Also Discouraged Us From Getting A "real Job. So We Would Do Well With Our Studies. When We Got Our First "real" Job, We Were Expected To Contribute $$ To The Household. It Was To Teach Us Responsibility And To Budget Our Money. As I Went To College The Offer Was Again, As Long As I Stayed In School And Got Good Grades, She Would Help With Clothing, Pay For My Books And Car Ins. This Worked Well For Me. It Made Me Keep Good Grades, And Stay Focused On School.
Now My Dd Is Only 10 But, I Will Do The Same With Her.

 

[chrisn]

We already utilize incentives. Her car is the best investment we've ever made. Not only does she stay on the straight and narrow but I happily lost my job as Head Chauffer. Really though she's a good girl. An honor roll student and she works hard and is proud of her accademic achievements. We are too!

 

[Stephanie218]

I started working junior year of hs around 20 hours a week...and started buying most of my own clothes. I'll be a sophmore in college next year and I probably buy 80% of my own clothes. I don't see why technically I "need" anymore clothes, so anything I buy is really just because I like it.

 

[rockyroad]

Good question. I think it could be extended to other areas of life too. If your child goes straight from high school to college, do you continue to pay health insurance, car insurance, hair cuts, allowance?

As for clothing . . . I'd continue to buy my daughters' BASIC clothing during college -- a couple pairs of jeans and some sweatshirts in the fall, some new shorts and tees in the spring. Maybe some special boots for Christmas, or a gift certificate to be used for a new bathing suit for their spring birthdays. If they wanted special things (i.e., a new dress for a semi-formal dance or an expensive designer top), they'd have to pay for them.

When they're about ready to graduate, I'd take them on a professional clothes shopping trip. They'll need interview clothes. I'd probably buy them 3-4 career outfits.

I agree. I also have three kids in college.

It depends on many factors.

Does the kid work?
Can they work and keep up with classes?
Do they already have an adequate wardrobe?
Do they need... or want?
Has their size changed?

I usually buy them some jeans, shoes, and other items that they need.

Hopefully, no one here is like my husband's dad, who cut off all child support and paid for nothing once he turned 18. Like an 18 year old kid can be expected to be totally self supporting.

 

[ceecee]

I will continue to buy DD's clothes until she is on her own with a job. Probably will still buy some from time to time. My mom buys me things she sees that she thinks I would like all the time. I get her things too. I've been out of college for 20+ years!

 

[Danemom]

I think that once they've stopped outgrowing their clothes they don't need you to buy official back to school clothes. After all, I don't buy new work clothes every year.
I'd just add something here and there as you see items they'll like or can't live without. If you give clothes for Christmas and birthdays gifts, I wouldn't think they'd need a lot at other times.

 

[MomofKatie]

My parents stopped buying back-to-school clothes for me when I turned 16 and got my own job. By that time, I really wanted more trendy items, anyway, and Mom wasn't about to pay $50 for a Polo shirt, when she could get a Fox at Penney's for $15 (yes, I grew up in the Preppy late '70s/early '80s)!

She bought me a few things from mid-high school on, but for the most part I bought myself what I wanted. Plus, as it has been posted already, for me the main purpose of buying new school clothes each year is to replace those that are outgrown. Especially for girls, once in high school, you don't outgrow your clothes anymore.

 

[LuluLovesDisney]

Going in to high school, I plan on setting up an incentive plan. She will always get the basics that she needs, but I want her to continue to study and work hard and I will be more than happy to reward her for doing so. I will do the same in college as well if she wants me to.

I do plan on paying tuition and books in college. I don't want her to have to worry about working if she doesn't want to. If she does want to work, that is fine, but I will still do the things I mentioned.

Before high school, I think that you pretty much have to buy most everything. Who knows, the way some of them dress, maybe I should hold on to her 5T's.

BTW, she starts Kindergarten this year so I have a while to perfect my plan.

I totally agree!

My parents bought me back to school clothes every year throughout college. I didn't have a job, except during the summer, so I didn't have a lot of money. They also treated it as a reward- for being in French Club,Soup Kitchen, Honors Society, etc. throughout high school and for being in 2 Honor Societies (Education and Women's and Gender Studies) as well as Vice President/Pledgemaster of my sorority. I was very lucky because as overprotective as my parents were/are, they were/are very generous.
Now, I pay all my own bills, car insurance, groceries, etc. I still live at home so I don't pay rent but I try to cook them a dinner (or take them out) every month or so.

My mom bought me 5 suits when I needed them for interviews my last year of college. I don't know how I would have afforded them otherwise! She also bought me a few items to wear to work the summer before my first teaching job 3 years ago. Since then, I've bought my own clothes.

Since I recently lost 20 lbs, some of my clothes were getting loose and my mom bought me 2 suits and some pants and sweaters for "back to work" this year, which was extremely generous of her!

As a high school teacher, I just want to point out that even if parents don't pay for all the clothes their child wears (if they are at the age to get a job) I really hope they know what their child buys/wears/looks like at school. I have to enforce the dress code and I am amazed at some of the things some kids wear- shirts with marijuana leaves, profanity, sexually explicit sayings or illustrations on t shirts, girls who wear see through shirts, visible bras, or no bras, and skirts that look like dust ruffles. It's such a small percentage- but believe it or not, it makes a lot of other kids uncomfortable and distracts even more.

And I also want to commend everyone- I don't know if I could ever have kids- the emotional work, the huge responsibility and the financial responsibility is really huge. I am so thankful when I meet the parents of my wonderful students because they make my job so much easier!

 

[NancyIL]

As I think back, my parents stopped buying my clothes once I was in college, but they paid for the first 2 years of college, so I can't complain.

My oldest daughter will be a college senior this year, and my 2nd daughter will be a college freshman. We're going to some outlet malls in Chicago next week, and I do expect to buy at least a few things for the older daughter, a few more things for the college freshman, and quite a bit for my 15-year-old son...who is growing like a weed! I'm pretty much a pushover if they're shopping with me and they "need" something!

 

[patsal]

Never really thought about it--my kids are still kind of young. I'll most likely do what my parents did with me, since I had no issues with it LOL! I worked full time since I was 16, and I bought all of the things I really wanted and my personal things as well (yes I went to school too--my employer didn't adheare to child labor laws, my parents didn't have any problem with it (most likely because I was pulling my own weight and they didn't have to pay for me anymore). I will not let my children work like that--I do have issues still about that. However, when in college I bought all I wanted and could afford and in just befoer school started my Mom would give me a set amount to spend as I wished on things I still needed (usually about $100--which is why I am still an incredible bargain hunter! She would do this when I was home on break as well, knowing that Fall break was Falll Clearance time. For Christmas I mostly got clothing. Seems reasonable to me.