But first, I want you to know that I’m visiting at Stacy Makes Cents today. Come along and find out the secrets behind my crazy low grocery budget. After you leave a comment on this post of course :).
A child might be a clothing snob if:
- They reject second hand clothing
- They determine the quality of an item by it’s name brand
- They determine the quality of an item by it’s price
- They beg for clothing the family can’t afford
- They have a closet full of clothes (that fit) and nothing to wear
- They think sales are embarrassing
- They think once a style is sold at insert any store here, it’s outdated
- They would never shop at insert any store here
- They judge another person’s value by what they wear
The thing about clothing snobs is they have low self worth. They don’t believe they are anyone special apart from their clothing and that’s the main issue to combat. Making them feel guilty about the naked kids in Africa won’t do it, though that can be a project once self-worth is restored. They might have caught the wrong message of worth from a bully, an advertisement, or a TV show. However it happened doesn’t matter, the important thing is to make sure they recognize their own value (and also the value of others.)
They are of worth because God made them in His image. He loved them so much that he gave them their free will. Then left his throne to die in their place in hopes that they might use their free will to choose Him. No piece of clothing can change their worth.
As you are building a proper view of self, there are other things you can do.
- Try giving them their own clothing envelope and let them use it to buy their own clothes. For this to work, you can NOT bail them out. If they spend it all, they’ll need to earn the money on their own to meet their clothing needs.
- Donate their excess clothing to a good cause. Such as the dress project or a local ministry.
- Sew dresses for little dresses for Africa. Or for babies born sleeping. Or knit hats and scarves for the homeless and here.
There’s something about volunteering and serving that heals the soul.
This is day 21 of our series 31 Days of Kids and Money
I agree with this post and like your ideas to combat it, but let me offer that sometimes clothing snobbery is also a body image issue. If you dont feel comfortable in your body, clothes will always be an issue. I had to buy a lot of clothes before I was able to realize that no matter how fancy the label, I had to like the foundation I was putting them on first.
Amanda, That’s a great point.
I have four children and I find it very hard to keep up with their growth spurts. I buy offseason and that helps. I put the clothing in a plastic tote label with what’s in there with a piece of masking tape or index card attached to the box what’s in there what season and what size. I’m I’m having is my oldest son has hit puberty and over the past 12 month has gone through a humongous growth spurt around 6 to 8 inches. It seems he’s continually growing he is now in a size 20 boys and is 120 pounds and 5 4 and a quarter inches tall. I have noticed that going from a size 14 in boys to what he’s in now is very difficult to find affordable clothing. To top it off now he wears a size nine Men’s Shoe he went up three sizes and shoes in 6 months. The price tag of a quality pair of shoes that will last him a few months is around 75 to $85 a piece. So I’m really struggling with trying to keep up with his growing needs any suggestions.? Along with a growth spurt is his enormous appetite feeding for children boys in particular is very expensive I find on spending anywhere from 4 to $500 just on food that we bought home not including take out which is occasionally 2 times a month. I’m really curious to see how you save on your grocery bill? I have tried the coupon clubs and coupons I have now just gone to printable at walmart.com when I need coupons. Problem is I find it buying a lot of junk with those coupons things that are not necessarily healthy and spending more money on things I really could go without.
Hi Julie! I have a son who is growing fast too! At his size, he might be able to wear men’s clothes. I find at places like TJ Maxx, Marshalls, and Ross the tiny men’s clothes are often marked down cheaper on the clearance rack. My son can wear a men’s 28/32 pant which is about an 18 in boys. Also, try ebay for shoes. Sometimes you have to watch for a bit, but I’ve snagged name brand shoes there for $30 or so. And the 3 stores I named before have shoes too. As far as food goes, I don’t use coupons (for the reasons you mentioned.) I’m getting ready to do a series on grocery budgets so stay tuned.