10 Back to School Clothes Shopping Tips

We are currently enjoying the last few days of summer vacation – I hope you are, too! As summer draws to a close, it means it is time to go back to school shopping. After having kids in school for a few years now, I have learned some key things to do to make back to school clothes shopping more successful. I hope these tips help you just as much as they helped me!

Review the School Dress Code

Before you do any back to school clothes shopping, you absolutely must review the school dress code – especially if your school does not have uniforms. This is so important. There is nothing worse than shopping for all the clothes just to find out they do not comply with the dress code.

Check Sizes in Advance

Another mistake you want to avoid is buying the wrong size clothes. Or buying new clothes when your kids really don’t need them. If your child is still wearing the same size, look over the clothes to see if they are still in good condition before you spend a bunch of money on clothes your child will outgrow sooner rather than later.

Clear the Closets

Next, go through your child’s closet and clear any clothes he or she has outgrown or clothes that are not in good condition. This is a great way to see what you really need to buy versus what you don’t. For example, your child may have plenty of jeans but not enough socks (since they somehow always disappear).

Donate the Excess

After you have cleared the closet, donate the items that no longer fit your child. If you are looking to make some money from your child’s outgrown clothing, then head to your favorite consignment shop. Or, donate the clothing to an organization with a mission you support.

Give Yourself Time

We are getting really close to the back to school shopping deadline. Give yourself plenty of time to shop so you avoid rushing. If you wait until the last minute, you will wind up spending more than you want and purchasing things you don’t need.

Do It Online or Go Kid-Free

When it comes to back to school clothes shopping, try to do it alone. It is much easier to shop for back to school clothing when your kids aren’t with you since they will want everything they don’t actually need (such as accessories) and having them with you will take so much longer. Better yet, take your list of sizes and clothing needs and shop online at your favorite retailer!

Set a Budget

Next, be sure to set a budget before you start to shop. We all spend quite a bit on back to school shopping, so budget accordingly. Having a budget will help you decide which items you should pass on and which ones are worth it.

Take Advantage of Sales, Discounts, and Coupons

You can find some excellent back to school shopping deals. Stock up on the coupons by signing up for emails from your favorite stores. You will get emails alerts about sales and coupons you can use when shopping.

Shop Overstock Stores

I love doing my back to school clothes shopping at overstock stores like T.J. Maxx. I can purchase my girls designer goods at great prices, ensuring they look fabulous and I have money left over for school supplies.

Off-Season Merchandise is Your Friend

Finally, go ahead and stock up on off-season merchandise. Guesstimate your child’s size next summer and purchase a few key pieces (such as swimsuits) while they are on clearance. If you shop wisely, you will either have clothes in the right clothes for next year or clothes you can consign and make your money back on.

Shoes for Kids with Flat Feet – From a Mom Who Knows

Eek! I recently learned Olivia has flat feet! I know I am not the only mom dealing with this issue as it is actually pretty common in kids. If your kid is one of the 44% of a 3-to-6-year old child with flat feet, then rest assured you are not alone.

Fortunately, for most children, the problem corrects itself as children grow. However, if the problem is not addressed, it can lead to more serious problems in the future. As a mom, I want to be sure I am doing all I can to make sure my daughter starts off on the right foot (sorry – I couldn’t resist a foot pun!).

So, I have done my homework to find out all I need to know about flat feet (or pes planus – a flattening of the arches) and how to treat it.

What Causes Flat Feet in Kids

According to the Mayo Clinic, “A flat foot is normal in infants and toddlers, because the foot's arch hasn't yet developed. Most people's arches develop throughout childhood, but some people never develop arches.”

While the condition is common, the problems occur when little ones never develop arches. In these cases, children may experience pain, improper walking, and poor foot development. Ouch! Not at all things I want my sweet daughter to have to face.

Do’s and Don’ts for Kids with Flat Feet

Thankfully, most kids with flat feet do not need to have anything extreme done to help them overcome this issue. However, there are few simple do’s and don’ts we can try as parents.

• Do speak to your pediatrician. A pediatrician will be able to evaluate your child and make recommendations.

• Do take your pediatrician’s advice, such as pursuing physical therapy.

• Do have your child wear inserts (especially your doctor recommends a custom orthotic device).

• Do teach your child to rest and stretch.

• Do temporarily modify your child’ activities, so he/she isn’t standing or walking for long periods of time if your child is experiencing pain as a result of pain feet.

• Do invest in supportive footwear. (I’m listing the best brands of supportive footwear below!)

• Don’t wear shoes without support.

• Don’t wear shoes without an arc (such as Converse or Vans).

• Don’t try to save money by buying lower quality shoes.

• Don’t buy shoes without having your child try them on. If your child is wearing a shoe that does not fit, it will only make the problem worse.

7 Shoe Brands to Invest in for Kids with Flat Feet

When it comes to giving your kid the best shot at living with flat feet, the best thing you can do is invest in great, supportive footwear. It will be worth it in the end! To give you some ideas, I have identified the seven best shoe brands for kids with flat feet.

Asics – They offer a great selection of supportive and colorful sneakers for toddlers on up.

Saucony – Their kid’s athletic shoe line begins with baby sizes and are all designed to offer support.

New Balance – They are known for their supportive athletic shoes for adults, but their shoes are also great for toddlers and preschoolers with flat feet.

Robeez – This brand is recommended by the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) because their shoes are designed to help healthy foot development.

Stride Rite – They make high-quality children’s shoes designed to encourage healthy movement for babies up to big kids.

Crocs – Kids love crocs, and their arch design and ability to contour to the shape of the foot make them stand out.

Salt Water Sandals – If you are looking for sandals for your child with flat feet, I recommend Salt Water sandals. These high-quality sandals are made of genuine leather and come in a variety of colors.

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First Snow storm of 2018!

Boy was it cold and windy and snowy!  Over here in Queens, we got close to 10 inches and schools were closed so the girls obviously had to go out to enjoy the snow.  They didn't stay out too long (the wind was blowing up to 40 mph)  but I was able to take some photos of their fun.  It's important to always bundle your girls in the best coats, gloves, scarves, and hats.  Also put the best boots on them too!  Here's some gear I recommend for your little ones when they need to battle the outdoors to build that snowman!