I still remember being my daughter’s age, feeling so excited to head back to school and show off what I thought were “new” clothes. The truth was, most of them were hand-me-downs from my sister or others, but to me, they felt new. I always tried to make the best of what I had, giving the clothes my own personal touch to make them feel fresh. Now that I’m a mother, I understand how hard it can be—especially for my mom, who raised us without any help.
No matter your budget, I believe you can always make the most of it. Personally, I love shopping for my kids at places like TJMaxx, Marshalls, and Target. One thing I always do is have my daughter try on everything she currently owns so we can figure out what she truly needs. We also like to get creative and mix her summer clothes into fall outfits by adding dark tights, a sweater, or a jacket. Since kids grow so fast, it seems crazy to spend too much on their clothes. If you’re on a tight budget, I’d recommend checking out second-hand stores—there are some really cute and clean ones out there. You could also organize or attend a swap party with other moms to exchange clothes.
Lastly, when your kids are old enough, let them help pick out their clothes! It’s fun, and you want them to love what they’re wearing. I went through so many different phases growing up—I was even a tomboy at one point! The key is to let them feel comfortable in whatever they choose, even if it breaks a few fashion rules.