Keep Calm and Shop On - 3 Tips for stress-free back to school shopping

Is the thought of back to school shopping stressing you out?   I’ve been having the same reoccuring nightmare the last couple of weeks.  It involves me and my 3 sweet angelic children, who suddenly transform into a bunch of crazies when I even mention the words “back to school shopping.”  Taking 3 kids to a store, darting in 3 different directions, yelling “come with me Mom” and “I really need this!” is all too memorable from last year, and not something that I want to repeat.  No, I’m determined to make back to school shopping as stress-free as possible.  Judith Rasband wrote about this in her first book publication, Clothing the Family.  Here is the advise she gives:

1.   Evaluate their wardrobe – A wardrobe evaluation is a great way for you to spend some one-on-one time with your child before their day is taken up with school and other activities.  Be sure to listen and thoughtfully consider children’s attitudes and ideas, you may find time for a few teaching moments as well.  

2.   Make a list of needs – In this non-emotional situation, parents can lead children through the logic of planning for needs and goals versus wants and fashion-for-the-sake-of-fashion.  Create a list that you and your child can agree upon and congratulate yourselves on a successful planning session.

3.   Know where you are going before you leave the house – This may involve searching the internet to know which stores carry what you need.  The more efficient you are in the store, the better spirits everyone with have.

Prepare to keep calm, carry on and enjoy your stress-free shopping excursion.