My kids and school shopping do not

[browneyes]

go well together. They think I'm a bank.

Anyone else dread school shopping? It wouldn't be so bad if my dd didn't like such ugly clothes and my ds could be a tiny bit more patient about shopping.

 

[iluvorlando]

I feel very lucky that our elementary school went to uniforms. Otherwise, with 2 DD's, shopping would have been a nightmare. Just check my tags!!

 

[browneyes]

I'd love for my kids to go to uniforms. It would make my life so much easier. Maybe I should move to a district that makes them wear uniforms.

My kids get excited about buying the school supplies, too though.

 

[supercarrie]

I remember fighting with my mom over the $$ spent on back to school shopping...now she just gives me a monthly budget for everything - clothes, lunches, allowance, etc, and I have to work with that - it makes things a lot easier! It really doesn't work, I guess, until they are of an age that can handle it...

 

[Cindy B]

I just finished all my shopping up. Did the school supplies, clothes, you name it...

I know what you are saying about girls clothes Shannon... when did girls pants suddenly get really ugly! (It looks like I stepped into a 1970's revival.. all the time!)


BTW, go online... I found some really fabulous stuff at great prices online.. at JCrew of all places... the clearance prices were cheaper than say "regular" stores, and I didn't have to drag them out!

 

[kejoda]

Uniforms won't work Shannon. Kevin has to wear them for school and its a dialy whinefest aout having to wear them. You can't win get earplugs.

 

[browneyes]

Beccy, we get into an argument because they have such silly dress codes at my kids school. She'll tell me "so and so gets to wear this to school, it's ok". Sure as I let her wear whatever isn't approved, they'd call me to come get her. We get the stuff out the night before and we argue about all night, and thru the next morning sometimes.

Cindy, it's worse than the 70's. Much worse.


Supercarrie, I dread seeing the age where my dd can be given a monthly budget. We'd fight over the budget amount. She likes money too much.

 

[Chattyaholic]

of when my kids were in school. When they were young I basically just ordered everything from Penneys and Sears...then when they got older and were more interested in helping to choose what they wore, I started something....took each one of them (I have a son and daughter) separately for a day of school clothes shopping and out for lunch. It was a yearly tradition that stuck for many years, until they each were 16 and got their own part-time jobs and started buying their own clothes. They still mention those shopping trips occasionally, saying how much fun it was just to spend a whole day alone together without the other one "tagging" along. I'm now starting the same tradition with my granddaughter, she's 9. Yesterday I took her to Sears and let her pick out a few things, and we chose a few things for her two younger brothers...the boys could care less what they wear, but eventually....when they start caring....I'll be happy to take them each for a day of shopping and out for lunch too, if they want to go with ol' grandma....

 

[ZPT1022]

You guys made me laugh- the other day I saw my mother's favorite commercial- the one where the Dad is at Staples buying school supplies and he is gliding down the aisle on the cart singing "It's the most wonderful time of the year" just like the Christmas song. She loves that commercial. Thankfully my DD is only 1, so I have awhile before these battles start!!!

 

[browneyes]

ZPT1022, when my dd was 1, she was very demanding about clothes then, too. She's 9 now and has only progressed more.

Chattyaholic, I have 1 of each also (dd=9 yo, ds=6 yo). That's a good idea. Why didn't you tell me that before I took them shopping today? LOL! I'll try that next year. Thanks!

 

[nativetxn]

Nope, all finished Of course, ds still manages to get me to take him shopping for clothes at regular intervals, just not for school. He's actually finished with school

 

[ZPT1022]

ZPT1022, when my dd was 1, she was very demanding about clothes then, too. She's 9 now and has only progressed more.

Oh my!! My daughter only complains about WEARING clothes. She'd much prefer to be naked!! I am hoping this is a stage!


Becky

 

[Cindy B]

Our public school is kicking around the idea of uniforms...

My peeve is that I can't find normal looking pants for my daughter. Everything has flares/sparkles/appliques/rivets.... what's up with that?


Good luck!

 

[ellyn2000]

Our state (NC) as well as (SC) has a "tax free" holiday for back to school items. All clothing, school supplies, computers (up to $3,500.) are exempt from the 6 1/2% sales tax. Doesn't sound like much, but it really adds up. I'm only 20 minutes from an outlet center in SC and we went there yesterday and got some great bargains. DS got Polo jeans for $19.99 and 2 button down Dockers shirts for a total of $14.97. DD got Express tops for $3.00 each and the most expensive thing she purchased was a pair of black leather Sketchers slides for $29.00. I don't let them get an entire wardrobe, just enough to go with what they've already got and then they'll get other things when the weather turns colder. We actually had a good time looking for bargains. Today, it's off to get pens, paper, etc......Our kids go back Aug. 12th.

 

[BibbidiBobbidiBOO]

My kids each had their own day this week. Took DS shopping and to lunch one day. We got supplies and clothes. Took DD shopping and lunch the next day. The other child stayed with the Grandparents ! It was actually enjoyable and we had some interesting conversations. SO much better than dragging them both along ! At least my DD still likes, and can wear, cute clothes ! When she moves up to a 7, that may change !

PS-this is the first year in ages that FL dropped the tax free week. Just as well as stores seemed to not have good sales at that time anyway. I guess this is to make up for the effects of 9-11 on tourism.

 

[Disney Dee]

I only have one left to shop for (thank god!) But he is 14 and very much into clothes (Abacrombie especially) He won't get much thats for sure .

 

[browneyes]

Kath, you're so lucky!

Ellyn2000, Georgia is having the free tax this weekend, too. Stores have been packed! I know what you're saying about the savings. I think I saved about $20 yesterday in the no taxes. I have to go back today to buy shoes.

Becky, my dd liked to do that at that age, too. But in the stores she would go nuts over clothes then, too.

Cindy, I know! Sara's into the flare pants, too. She wanted some that tied instead of zipped and I wasn't sure if she'd be able to wear them to school (not sure if those would be in the school guidelines). Luckily, they didn't have a pair in her size.

BibbidiBobbidiBoo, I wish I'd thought of that idea. It would've greatly reduced my headache of shopping. My dd is a shopaholic, my ds hates to shop. I've got the ying and the yang.

Disney Dee, luckily my dd hasn't thought of going to Abracombie. She's into Limited Too and that's just as bad.

 

[Lars624]

My DD is 13 and she wears both Abercrombie & Limited too. When Abercrombie runs sales their prices aren't that bad. Actually comparatively Ltd 2 may be a bit pricier. DD can't wear Abercrombie & Fitch yet, only Abercrombie so maybe things will be more expensive when she can get into the bigger sizes. DS 13 isn't into labels at this point. He says why should we pay more just so I can wear someone's name on my shirt. DS 6 doesn't care what he wears, yet.

 

[Rock'n Robin]

Thank you lord for the blessing of my oldest! She is already a bargain shopper. She went to the neighbor's garage sale (neighbors who have more$$$ that is) and got a bag of American Eagle and Limited Too stuff for $10. She is nagging me to go to the local resale store "before the selection gets bad"!!! Last year I got all of her pants resale!
I'll take her to Penney's as well, probably, or Kohls'--don't like Dillards or anything more expensive. I have $400 budgeted for all 3 kids--DD#2 has some hand me downs that still look good from her sister, and DS is only in preschool--I did a lot of his shopping at the resale store as well.
School starts 3 weeks from Monday--I have to get on the ball! My dad has surgery the 15th and my DS has eye surgery the 22nd, so I don't know when I'll go shopping. And of course there are my things like LESSON PLANS!!!
Oh well, can't do it today so I may as well go swimming!
Robin M.

 

[Lola]

Lol, My mom said to me the other day that she is just going to give me money, and one of my friends can take me shopping - b/c I'm such a pain! I don't know what she is talking about . But then I said that this is basically the last year she will get to take me back-to-school shopping ..

We went to Penney's last week, and my sister and I both got some cute jeans ..

Ew ew, and I don't like some of the stuff that has become popular .. What I affectionately call - "bohemian crap." LOL. I don't like the whole 'peasant' style ..