MOMS and DADS, I have a question?

Question

My twin 16 year old boys are going to go to public school this year....in the past they went to private school and have always had to wear, uniform, shirt, tie, dockers, no jeans no sneakers....they need school clothes, do you go shopping with your teens, or should I just give them some money and tell them to go buy some clothes....they are very dependable and good kids....or should I take them shopping?

Answer 1

Here's my best advice to you:

If they are really that dependable and good kids then you don't have to worry about them disobeying you, right?  Then leave the poor kids alone and let them shop for themselves.  Give them some money and drop them off at the mall.

Believe me, no teenager wants to be seen at the mall with Mommy, no matter how cool Mommy is.  Especially seeing as how they are changing schools and need to start a new reputation at their new school.  That's hard enough as it is, to have to start from scratch.  They don't want to have to get off on the wrong foot being seen having their mother escort them out shopping.  Do them a favor and just drop them off with money and agree to meet up in a few hours.  It would do them some good.  They're 16, not 5.

Good luck. :)

Answer 2

Well, it's always fun to go with my daughter, we have a good time.  I think that may be different with 16 year old boys though, lol.    

Whatever you decide, make sure you have gotten a school handbook beforehand and read up on the dress code.  I'm a teacher, and even I'm shocked sometimes by what some schools don't allow.  I always feel so bad for kids that come in wearing shirts they love inside out because it doesn't meet the dress code requirements.  Make sure your boys know what the school will let them wear before they waste their money.  =)

Answer 3

They are 16, they know what they like. Just give them the money for clothes only and drop them at the mall. Tell them you all will go together to get shoes and other essentials. This will give them a sense of independence and they'll feel like young adults because mommy isn't picking out their clothes.

Answer 4

Definitely go with them!

Answer 5

Give them a credit card (or cash) and tell them how much they can spend.  They are old enough to pick their own clothes.

Answer 6

Go with them, but let them shop by themselves. Then you can "ok" the purchases before they are made (and perhaps catch a few deals for you, too!). This way they are not buying things that aren't allowed or that are too expensive.

Answer 7

I would personally take them not b/c they are irresponsible but b/c a lot of public schools that dont have uniforms do have strict dress code rules...no holes in jeans, certain t shirts ect.  Make sure you read the student hand book very thouroughly before you go!!  Also you would probably have a better chance at catching some better deals than they would....we all know how guys can be!

Answer 8

Hmmmm....I would recommend giving them the money, and letting them go, but with the proviso that they keep the receipt and that you may need to authorize some of their clothes (that's how I do it with my daughter).  On the other hand, if you are comfortable with their judgement in such things, just let them go.  I make my daughter show me what she bought, only because she sometimes has a slightly different idea of what is appropriate school attire than I do.  LOL

Answer 9

I've been letting my kids go shopping for their own clothes since they were about 13, when they would rather have died than be seen trying on clothes with mom hovering around.  I would decide on a budget for school clothes and tell them how much they had to spend.  Anything over that they had to pay for out of their allowances and earnings.  We also discussed (ahead of time) what would be reasonable prices for specific items, such as jeans, a sweater, a pair of shoes, etc.  Again anything over that had to come from their own money.  I also wouldn't pay for any items that didn't meet their school's dress code, and they were well aware of what that meant.  

It was a good experience in money management.  They learned how to work within a budget, hunt for bargains, and think twice when tempted to buy things that they couldn't afford.  My oldest daughter is 19 now and knows how to budget for college textbooks, dorm furnishings, gifts, and other things. She's a better shopper than I am!