Many moms look forward to back to school time, other moms dread the struggle with their tweens about what items to buy.
Instead of having a struggle with your child over what or what not to buy for the academic year, use these simple tips for a struggle- free start to the school year.
Tip #1: Sort through Your Tweens Current Wardrobe - Together with your child look through their closet and finds out what doesn't fit and what needs to be replaced, either because it's worn out or no longer fits.
Once you know your baseline, then you can discuss what back to school items need to be bought and what your child really wants.
Tip #2: Speak with Your Tween - Before you head out to the mall, sit down and talk with your child about what new clothing items are on their must have list - is it new shoes, a pair of jeans, or some shirts.
They of course, will want the latest looks or what their friends think is cool.
Talk to them about the difference between the needs - like a new pair of jeans that fit, and wants, like the designer pair of jeans.
Tip #3: Make a List - Make a list of what clothing your tween needs, and then a list of what they want.
You can then allocate a certain amount of your overall budget to the wants vs.
the needs.
Your tween can pick out her own school clothes from her needs, but when her money is all used up, and then it's gone.
Tip #4: Make a Budget - Determine how much money you have to spend on back to school items.
You can plan to spend a certain amount per child, adding in extra the older the child - since tween clothing usually costs more than younger children's outfits.
Make sure your children understand the total budget for shopping.
Have them help you keep track of your purchase, so they understand just how much shopping costs.
Back to school shopping can be fraught with tension between you and your tween, but it doesn't have to be.
Using these tips above, you can have a stress free back to school shopping season this year.