Previous entry: 
Next entry:
Back to School, Part 1: Is your child wardrobe-ready?
I wanted to take this time to impart my wisdom on being fashion savvy when it comes to high school students. But I realized I have no
fashion sense – none. Nada.
This is the cleverest thing we came up with at home: We’re not shopping for back-to-school clothes yet – The Kid is spouting like Jack’s beanstock!
Even though school is around the corner, we’re waiting until a week or two after school has started to refresh his wardrobe. Of course, if there is some emergency must-have fashion, we’ll take that under consideration.
But even he thinks waiting is good because he’d get a better idea of what to wear, in high school. Being that it will be his first year, that’s not a bad idea.
I could sew him some new clothes – no, really I couldn’t. Hand-me downs are out – for one, he’s taller than me now!
So, between now and then, I’m pretty much open to suggestions. Only, I’m looking for humor, because it’s the most affordable [free].
Share you’re ideas here, along with your donation for our Buy The Kid Some Clothes Fund. Kidding about the fund.
But looking forward to your funny experiences, advice and tips; on the lighter side of getting your kid wardrobe-ready for their first big day as a kindergartner; or middle schooler or high school student.
Personally, I’ll appreciate it, even if my son doesn’t.
Gretchen Day-Bryant has a son in high school and a daughter in middle school. She’s lived to tell about the struggles of juggling little kids and work...
Joy Oglesby has an infant daughter and a sister 13 years her junior, whom she babies to the now-adult...
Cindy Kent Fort Lauderdale mother of three. Her kids span in ages from teenager to 20s...
Rafael Olmeda and his wife welcomed their first son in Feb. 2009, and he's helping raise two teenage stepdaughters...
Lois Solomon lives in Boca Raton with her husband and three daughters...
Anne Vasquez is the Online Editor in charge of overseeing SunSentinel.com. She is the mother of a 5-year-old boy and a newborn daughter.
Georgia East is the parent of a five-year-old girl, who came into the world weighing 1 pound, 13 ounces...
Brittany Wallman is the mother of Creed, 13, and Lily, 6, and is married...
Chris Tiedje is the Social Media Coordinator, and father of two boys and a girl all under the age of seven.
Comments
Humor me for a moment. You get paid to write this rambling drivel.Please get a refund from the j-school that awarded you a degree, Cindy.
Posted by: Oh Snap | July 25, 2009 5:59 PM
Terri Lynn, on behalf of the Salvation Army, sent this information in a press release.
"According to the National Retail Federation, the average family is expected to spend $548.72 on school clothes and supplies, down 7.7% from $594.24 in 2008. As a result of the ailing economy, more and more families plan to purchase store-brands, products, use more coupons and over 18% report that will go to thrift stores for back-to-school clothing."
The press release goes on to say that managers of The Salvation Army Family Stores in Broward County and Miami/Dade are expecting a higher than usual shopper turn-out this. Stores are stocked with a large selection of children’s clothing. Items include tops, shorts, jeans, backpacks, shoes and even school uniforms in either new or gently worn condition.”
Salvation Army Stores in Miami Dade:
90 NW 23 St., 305-573-4200 ext 236; 14701 W Dixie Hwy., 305-940-1188;
9790 Bird Rd.; 305-554-9669 and 8001 NW 27 Ave., 305-836-8088;
Salvation Army Stores in Broward:
1791 W. Broward Blvd., Ft Lauderdale, 954-463-3725; 310 N. State Rd. 7, Margate, 954-979-6999;
2300 SW 56th Ave., Hollywood, 954-961-7523; 451 E Copans Rd., Pompano Beach, 954-782-3925;
7707 Commercial Blvd., Tamarac, 954-721-0705 and 888 N.University Drive, Pembroke Pines, 954-433-2160.
Thanks Terri!
Posted by: Cindy Kent | July 27, 2009 9:07 AM
I recommend giving him a monthly clothing allowance of whatever his age is (e.g. 14 = $140) and letting him buy EVERY piece of clothing he needs, from shoes to coats to tshirts and underwear. If he's going into high school, he's old enough to budget like this.
Same thing for lunch money. Give him $50 a week and don't pack him ANYTHING or buy him ANY out of the house snacks.
Posted by: mom of three | July 30, 2009 7:25 AM
I really like the suggestions by mom of three. Thanks. Though I would not be able to front that much $$, I am seriously considering the lunch meal plan!
Also, on more back to school planning, I just got a "Back to School Checklist" press release from Angie's List.
Lots of good ideas from buying a computer to a good wardrobe fit. Take a look here:
http://www.angieslist.com/Angieslist/Press/1266/Back_To_School_Checklist.aspx
Posted by: Cindy Kent | July 30, 2009 12:51 PM
Here’s another one of those “ This just in” press releases:
Fifth Third Bank, Education Foundations Announce “Back to School” Supply Drives in Collier, Lee, Sarasota
and Palm Beach counties.
The project will provide local schoolchildren with free school supplies and backpacks. Donate supplies at a local Fifth Third Bank. Visit www.53.com for locations.
Suggested items to donate: No.2 pencils, spiral notebooks, 8- or 24-count boxes of crayons, washable glue or glue sticks, anti-bacterial wipes or hand sanitizer, gallon- or sandwich-size zip lock bags, etc.
For information or to help support the school supply drive, call 239- 591-6463.
Posted by: Cindy Kent | July 30, 2009 1:01 PM