Back to School Shopping: Tips for Moms to End the Aggravation
I say child because I mean child. One child at a time is a good philosophy to have when back to school shopping is in order. Children are impatient. Let me say it againâÂ?¦ children are impatient. If you have one or two of each gender trying to make a boy wait while his sister shops only adds to the chaos and vice versa. Why put up with one kid whining while the other becomes frustrated because she’s not being given your full attention? Back to school shopping offers a great opportunity for parent and child to reconnect one on one. Start out by sitting down with all your children to discuss just how this new scenario will play out. Choose a time for each child and mark the calendar. Planning well in advance eases the way to a more pleasurable shopping experience for you and your child. Plus the added advantage of spreading the spending frenzy over time will alleviate the break the bank feeling that often comes with back to school shopping.
Do a little homework; if you don’t all ready know what’s fashionable for kids, it’s time to pay attention. Look around at what other children are wearing. Know the dress code at your child’s school. It would be a waste of money to buy a darling mini skirt for your daughter if skirts have a specified length.
End the Aggravation with a Budget
Have a budget for each child in mind. Younger children are not as picky as older ones and are less likely to care if they own designer jeans. A smaller budget may work for a 6 year old. You know what you can afford and what you cannot. Stick as close to your budget as possible.
End the Aggravation Create a List
Before jumping in the car and driving to the mall for the all important back to school shopping expedition; write a list of needs. This is prime time to sort through each child’s clothes. Have a bag ready to get rid of outgrown or unworn clothes. Jot down what clothing items the child needs. If they’re all good in the undie department there will be more money to spend on shirts or jeans.
End the Aggravation with Talk
The budget is figured, the list is made, now it’s time for a heart to heart talk with each child before the shopping trip takes place. Let them have a say in what they wear.
Allowing children to create a sense of their own style builds self-confidence. If you’re preppy and your child is a bit funkier than you wish him to be, compromise. Agree to allow some purchases to be a bit outlandish as long as they don’t break the dress code, but in turn he must wear something that will tone things down just a bit.
If the disagreements are hashed out before ever leaving the house, fewer arguments will take place in the store. Children of all ages should know their limits. Consequences occur when the limits are repeatedly pushed too hard and too far. Don’t mince words on this point. Explain to your child that if he/she becomes unruly in an attempt to get something that is not on the list or that is simply out of the question for whatever reason the shopping trip ends immediately. Follow through just once by stopping the argument and leaving the store. When your child sees you mean business he usually rethinks the offensive behavior.
Tips for Mom
Be open-minded. Your style is yours and expecting your child to mimic you is unreasonable. Try not to quickly say no unless the T-shirt sports an offensive logo, the dress is age inappropriate, not within the dress code, or way out of the budget range. Insist that clothing be tried on first, sometimes what you think will look horrible may look great on your child.
Be willing to compromise. If your daughter just loves the designer jeans, but they’d break the budget limitations, suggest that she spend her own money or be willing to work around the house until she has them paid off. If it’s a matter of difference in taste looking around for something similar that you both agree on may do the trick.
Take a break. Stop for a drink at the food court, talk over the purchases, even pull one out of the bag and praise your child for making a cool selection. End the shopping day with the two of you going out to dinner. Let your child choose his/her favorite restaurant. This is the time to bask in the success of an enjoyable day shopping and bonding with your child.
Back to school shopping can be a source of aggravation. Forethought and discussion should put an end to scenarios like: a show down over a pair of jeans inside a store with your 14 year old while the 8 year old looks on. By following a few guidelines the shopping experience with your child is an event to look forward to. Happy shopping!
