By Kathy Friend
I
was talking to a friend the other day about back to school
shopping. She has 2 kids - a beautiful daughter who is 12
(going on 25), and a son who is 15 (going on 35). We were
musing over the price of clothing for kids; and debating the
ongoing fight of what her kids want versus what her budget
can afford. Then, my friend said something that struck me;
she said "why is it that back to school shopping always ends
up with at least one kid crying or yelling, and me at my wits
end?"
Good
question, why is that? I mean, how hard can it be to pick
up some pants and tops, and maybe a new pair of shoes?
To
all the parents out there, don't beat yourselves up. You are
not alone…most moms and dads go through exactly what you are
facing; what your kids want, and what you are willing to buy
them seem to be on different planets.
So,
what can you do to avoid the mall meltdown?
STOP
Before
you go to the mall, make a plan. Get your kids involved. Sit
down, and have your kids help you with the back to school
list. A good starting point might be to ask them to clean
out their closets, try things on, and determine what still
fits from last year. Ask them to make a list of what they
think they need, and you can go over that list with them.
This will make your time at the mall the most productive.
DROP
Once
you have determined a list, separate the 'wants' from the
'needs'. Drop the things from the list that are 'wants'. This
can be a good lesson to your kids in budgeting. Although an
I-Phone might be on your kids 'need' list, letting them help
with the budget can show them things like that might mean
they don't have shoes or pants for school.
Recycle,
recycle, recycle - try to get your kids into the habit of
"one thing in one thing out". In other words, before you go
to the mall to purchase a new pair of jeans, ask your kids
to find one pair of jeans to donate. This is a good opportunity
to explain the importance of having a philanthropic heart,
by explaining to them that there is another child out there
who needs his/her old jeans. This is such a good life-lesson
that if instilled early, will benefit your child into adulthood.
Drop off the donation items on your way to the mall.
ROLL
Start
early. The more time you have, the smarter you will shop.
Last minute shopping always results in spending more money
than the budget will allow.
Roll
with it, or compromise. Clothing for our teenagers might not
be what we wore. And I will agree, much of it isn't appropriate
for our young girls. But that is what our kids are seeing
as stylish. Here are some suggestions on how to compromise:
