Middle schooler parent

Question

My girl is going to start middle school on August 27. Her school wardrobe is now only eight outfits and 2 pairs of sneakers and 2 pairs of shoes, she also has many sweatshirts, sweaters, and coats. I only got her a few outfits because she will be doing her own laundry since she is 12. Am I doing the right thing?

Answer 1

sounds good

Answer 2

Sounds good to me!

Eight outfits is enough that she has some variety, but not so many that she will get overwhelmed in the morning trying to decide what to wear each day.   Maybe a few weeks after school starts (when stuff starts getting marked down on sale), I might let her choose a couple more pieces to add to her wardrobe if she finds that she 'needs' certain things to 'fit in'  (I'd probably have started her with a couple less out fits than 8 for this reason).

My 7th grader has just started doing her own laundry...I think it is a good age for them to take that responsibility in caring for their own clothes.  I'm also at the point of giving my daughter a budget for her wardrobe...if she wants those $50 brand name jeans, she could get them, but that means there will be less quantity of things in the closet.  So far she has been a thrifty shopper, not interested in the brands, so it seems to be working :-)

Answer 3

Absolutely. You want her to be prepared for whatever middle school brings... doing her own laundry gets her prepared ahead of time.  

Answer 4

my god, yes. you should be applauded many times over for your parenting skills..absolutely no sarcasm in there. more children need to learn how to take some responsibility these days and do things for themselves, not be handed everything and spoiled into oblivion.. good for you.

Answer 5

Yes that's good, my twin boys are going to be 10 at the end of the month and we are going to start them doing their own laundry. As did my older two sons when they were 10, my other son is 6 and my daughter is 4 and as soon as they hit 10 they'll be doing their own too. It's a necessary skill in life to be able to look after ones self.