Small Memories

Soon school bells will ring the start of a new school year. Children will slowly walk the halls as they lament the loss of summer’s freedom. Before that, however, parents all over will hit the stores and malls trying to find the right clothes for their little girls. Here are some buying tips for back-to-school clothes for your daughter.

Before heading out to the mall there are a few things to consider:

• Find out if your daughter’s school has a published dress code. If it does, use it to help you choose clothes to meet those guidelines.
• Go through your daughter’s current wardrobe. What is usable for the new school year and what needs to be replaced?
• Make a list of just the items that will be needed and estimate the cost for those items when buying girls clothes.
• Determine how much money you are willing to spend and what styles you deem are appropriate for a child that age.
• As you locate the items you need, look for sales to help you stick to your budget.

If you follow these tips, you should be able to get the items you need and not break the bank in the process.

In determining your estimated cost, you will want to determine what items need to be purchased. Generally, unless your daughter just loves dresses, you’ll probably want to purchase a number of pairs of jeans or dress pants, tops or blouses to match them, socks, shoes, and accessories. Of course, with all of the styles available today, you’ll want to determine the styles and brands you feel comfortable allowing your daughter to wear.

When deciding what to get, you’ll also want to remember that you have to buy clothing for more than one season. You might want to save some of your clothing budget for when the weather changes. Be prepared to find a light jacket, winter coat and accessories, and all-weather shoes like tennis shoes. You probably won’t need dress shoes.

For pre-kindergarten girls, name brand most likely won’t be that important. The older the child, the more likely they’ll want to get the same name brands that their friends have. As a parent, however, you have right and responsibility to clothe them as you see fit; you do not have to allow them to be a fashion plate. If your pre-teen or teenage daughter insists on a certain brand or style that you refuse to pay for, consider allowing them to work for the extra money to purchase that item with their own money.

Shopping for back-to-school clothes doesn’t have to be stressful. Make a list of the items you need to purchase, decide on the amount of money you’re willing to spend, and then stick to that budget. The most important thing to remember is to make the most of the shopping trip by enjoying the day with your daughter. Following these shopping tips will make that a little easier to do.

Do you cringe when you think about fighting the back-to-school crowds? Try letting your child pick out back-to-school items like the one below, which is available from Memory Lane Products & Gifts. Just click on the shirt to see more options and designs!

To jump or not to jump

After raking the leaves into a pile do you still have the urge to jump in? To jump or not to jump, that is the question! Relive the memory. Great for adults or kids, back-to-school, and any autumn event.

As a teen, your child will want more and more things to enhance their lives. One good way for them to learn the value and cost of these items is by earning their own money from a summer job. In most states, when the kids turn fourteen, they can hold a job. Help your teen find that perfect summer job with a few simple tips.

The easiest way to find a job is through connections. If parents know someone who has their own business or they own a business, the teen can work for them. But, if this is not your situation, your teen will have to find a summer job the old-fashioned way—look for one.

The first line of inquiry is the newspaper job ads. Schools usually subscribe to the daily local papers. Have them make a list of all of the jobs that they are interested in.

Review the list with your teen. You are looking to answer a few questions: Is the job within a reasonable distance from the house? How late will they be working? What is the pay? What are the job requirements?

If your teen can’t drive yet, distance is important. The parents will have to drop off and pick them up from the job. If the job is within a safe distance from your home, but their shift ends at 11 p.m., it is not safe, especially for a teenage girl, to come home alone after dark.

Your teen will have to fill out an application for any job that they like. Help your teen to fill out the first application so that they will know how to complete future ones. If this is not your teen’s first job, they can attach a resume with the application. A resume is a brief history of work and educational experience. There are resume templates that will guide them through the process.

Once an interview is granted, go over the process with your teen. Ask them some of the same questions that potential employers will ask during the actual interview. Help them to keep their answers as simple as possible.

The dress for the interview is important. Any piercing that could be offensive should be removed. A nice suit for a teenage boy or a blouse and skirt for a teenage girl is appropriate. Trendy dress should be avoided. Hairstyles need to be neat and clean. Outrageous colors and spiky unkempt hairstyles are sure to raise a few eyebrows at the interview. This is not a good thing.

When your teen wants a summer job, do your best to help them acquire one. Prepare them by going over interview questions and assisting them when choosing an outfit for the interview. Make sure that your child stands out as the best candidate for the job.

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