BellaOnline Forums Family Work & Family How Do You Handle The Whine Factor During Your Back-To-School Shopping?

It's just about time to get your kids ready for back-to-school.. and that probably includes some shopping for clothes, backpacks, school supplies, etc. Do your kids use the "whine factor" to whine and beg for the most-expensive shoes or gadgets? How do you handle it?

Share your tips with the rest of us.

And check out my review of "What Kids Really Want That Money Can't Buy: Tips For Parenting In A Commercial World," by Betsy Taylor on the Work & Family site here at BellaOnline.com:
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art11839.asp

Sonja <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

i homeschool so we only get what we need for supplies.

i do cave a bit on the clothes. my twelve year old is going through the time of self discovery. i want her to feel good about who she is, inside and out. We do compromise, we shop at thrift stores, discount stores and watch for sales.

I agree that kids do need a few pieces of clothing that make them feeling they "belong".. especially at that age. We can discuss how the important thing is how they are on the inside, but we also don't want to make them feel like they don't fit in with their friends. It's a delicate balance, isn't it?

If you take the time, you can find great deals at consignment shops in some areas.

Have fun. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

The teen years are a delicate age that requires much effort and patience on the parents' part. I am glad I am through those years myself. As hard as I find parenting a near teen, it was no picnic actually being one either.

I take an hour long car trip to the coast where I live. There are several large second hand stores near an air base. If one does not mind looking through piles of things....trendy items, items still with tags and unique pieces can be found.

My daughter isn't so much into following every fad as she is for creating a certain look that makes a statement about who she is. This is tricky since I never know what item will be right for her.

So, she may not whine about getting what others have but she will drive me insane with the hunt for just the right thing.

as a teenager myself, i understand that other teenagers like me always ask to buy the latest gadget and the newest outfit available
It's because we want to be accepted by our new friends and so that we won't feel left out and we will not feel envy because other people have this COOL gadget
well, what i do is tell myself that not all times we can afford some stuff because there are more important things than the gadget or outfit
HOPE THIS HELPS