Back-to-School Shopping

First Day of First Grade 2016

It’s hard to believe that summer is nearly over and school starts in a couple of week. That means that in Pittsburgh, we are knee deep in back-to-school season! It’s hard for me to comprehend that some of my friends in Georgia returned to school in July. That’s summer people!

Back-to-School Means Doing a lot of Shopping

Anyway, back-to-school means shopping. We have three children. The older two are in preschool and elementary school respectfully and the baby is in daycare. The baby is relatively easy because his needs remain constant. He needs diapers and changes of clothes wherever he goes. He also needs breast milk, which fortunately has been in ample supply and now he’s starting on solids. He needs those things whether he’s at home or daycare. So, I’ve got that process on lock (at least theoretically).

Back-to-school for the other two requires planning. There is the review of “the list”. Gone are the days when kids went to school and the school actually had what they needed. No, these days kids go to school and parents have to budget in order to buy school supplies that actually go to the school for them to use. 

Let that sink in for a minute...  

And since one of our kids is in private school and the other is in public school, I can tell you that “the list” is ubiquitous. I have one for each. I’d be game for just giving each teacher a check and say, “Have at it, get what you need.” Unfortunately, that isn’t an option. And so, I review the lists and visit Amazon to ensure that I get the supplies—because I don’t want to be “that” mom. Just so you know, “the list” includes Montessori slippers because I guess Montessori kids have a special need for comfort…

In addition to “the list”, there is also the clothes shopping. I’ll admit, that’s the fun part for me. I’ve never met a store that I didn’t like and buying clothes for my kids is fun for me. That said, I have certain rules I follow. I like inexpensive, quality, durable clothes. My kids are 7 and 4, which means these are clothes they’ll grow out of, perhaps before the year is over, and they like to do things that kids do, like climb and play. That said, both like to be stylish. I’m not entirely sure where that gene came from—but read my tag line!

Shopping at Discount Stores is a Way to Keep Your Kids Stylish Without Breaking the Bank

In this regard, discount designer stores have been my saving grace. I have bought their school clothes from Nordstrom Rack and Marshall’s. (My biggest score yet? A pair of 7 For All Mankind® jeans for $13.00!) I remember going back-to-school shopping with my mommy. However, my kids may not get to have that same experience. Since I have three young children, I actually do very little shopping with them. Just thinking about it almost makes me break out in hives and shopping is one of my favorite things to do!

I do my shopping online and then, when I happen to find myself near an outlet store I stop in and pick up some things. So far, my kids haven’t complained. I think that they think “clothes just show up”. And while they don’t show up by magic. It is nice to tackle the task at hand without interruption.