When the school year is set to begin, parents and kids head to the stores in search of appropriate school clothes. Often, parents and children disagree about what to buy, spend more than the budget and develop headaches. But you can make the process of buying clothes for school easier on the family and the wallet.
Before You Shop
Start by going through what clothes are already owned and regularly worn. Make sure to separate what doesn't fit and what is stained, torn or worn out. Inventory what is left. Many of your child's clothes will be fine for another year or season. Be sure to keep those, and then make a list of what you need.
Once you know what clothing your child needs for school, make a reasonable budget for each kid. Tell tweens and teens what the budget is. They are old enough to be able to pick their clothes within limits, and to gain an awareness of what clothing items cost. It's a learning experience for adolescents to compare the cost of brand-name and trendy fashion clothes against clothing in a similar style and to stick to a budget. Let tweens and teens know that, if they choose more expensive items than the budget allows, they will be expected to make up the difference by earning the money themselves.
Of course, younger children won't be involved in the money side of things, but the advantage is that the parents select their clothing and have a wider range of choices. Keep in mind that it is healthy for kids to have a choice in what they will wear to school. Children as young as five years old have color preferences that should be acknowledged. Although no parent wants to give their kindergartner free rein in mixing and matching, offering a young child a choice between two or three acceptable and affordable choices will let your child express his or her opinion. Even kindergartners and preschool-aged kids will resist wearing clothes that they do not like. Letting them have a say will reduce the number of arguments in the mornings.
Teens and tweens need to have limits placed on what clothing constitutes "acceptable." Sometimes the school will set guidelines about hem length, midriff exposure, any visible cleavage (that goes for upper and lower cleavage) or baggy or low waistlines. Parents also have an opinion about what is acceptable attire for school. Discuss the expectations before you leave the house to shop, and you will be more likely to avoid arguments in the store. Try to make it clear that the tween or teen will have the chance to choose, but set ground rules about final say, veto power or deal breakers. The clearer the expectations, the easier the shopping process will be.
Inside the Store
In order to find kids' clothing for school that will last, you need to read the labels and look at each piece of clothing carefully. Check the stitching on the inside of the garment, and tug at it slightly to make sure it doesn't give. Also look for strong materials, like denim, and consider the washing instructions. Dark clothes are also less likely to show stains. Outdoor activities and art class can stain a white or light-colored shirt in no time flat. Likewise, earth tones are easier to match with a range of other shades. If your child has his or her heart set on a bright or trendy color, try to limit that shade to a less expensive item, such as a T-shirt, or to accessories.
Any kids' school clothes that will be high-maintenance as far as laundry is concerned should go back on the rack. Whether or not your child is young or nearing the teen years, clothes for school should last as long as possible and should require minimal fuss.
Also consider items that will look good when layered together. If you and your child find the perfect vest and agree to buy it, ask how that vest will look when paired with other items that you're thinking of buying or other items already in the closet at home. Any parent in a cold climate can take advantage of layering to make a lightweight shirt that works by itself in spring or summer work under a sweater when the weather gets colder.
Don't forget to buy clothes that are slightly larger by either a half or full size. If you buy clothes at your child's current size, you run the risk of needing to replace the wardrobe if your child has a growth spurt. Layering with a sweater can cover up the short sleeves of a top in a pinch, but it's best to prepare for larger sizes.
 | Arming your children with school safety advice when they are not with you will help protect your kids all through the school day. |
School bus safety rules are important for everyone, and children won't necessarily think of these rules on their own. |
 | Heavy backpacks continue to cause increasing back problems for students of all ages. In fact, the Consumer Products Safety Commission reports that each year there are more than 10,000 backpack-related injuries to kids ages 18 and under. |
 | It's important to follow basic playground safety rules with your children. Most often, the playgrounds are at schools, and teachers can monitor kids. Sometimes, though, the teachers aren't there to supervise or are too busy to do so, so parents must always keep playground safety in mind. |
Everyone has his or her own back to school shopping ritual. Some wait until the sales begin, and some commit to their back to school shopping routine whenever they see an item their child needs. Back to school shopping can be an opportunity for you to show your child you support their school experience, but it can also be a nightmare if you are not careful. |
