S/O ps costs

[Jan in SC]

Do some of you buy different clothes for ps? I've noticed that clothing is a big issue in the ps cost thread. Maybe it's because we have boys, but my dc wore the same types/brands of clothes and had the same amount when they went to ps as they do now. Is it a big difference for others?

[Tabrett]

It is because of uniforms. I see you live in SC, so do I. Every public school in the Beaufort Co. will be required to wear uniforms this coming year (even high school). It used to be only elementary school then last year they added middle schools and this year high schools must wear uniforms.

 

I have neighbors that are very worried that they will not be able to afford to buy uniforms for their 3 teenage (2 six feet tall sons and an adult size daughter) dc. The response from the schools was to go to Target. Target sell uniforms in children's sizes. Most department stores only cater to elementary school size uniforms. Adult size uniforms are more expensive.

 

So many people are struggling to pay their mortgage that having to buy new clothes for dc who already have a functioning wardrobe is just wasteful IMHO.

[elegantlion]

Our public schools have uniforms too. It's just khakis and solid polos, but definitely not what ds would choose to wear.

[Daisy]

Yes, uniforms here also. And as sad as it may be there is a huge stigma for those who wear their uniform clothes to places outside of school.

 

But the bigger issue for us was always that I didn't want those uniform clothes trashed on by November because it is impossible to find them at that point in the year. So I definitely bought uniforms, church clothes, and then play clothes. $$$$

Edited July 28, 2010 by Daisy

[Snickerdoodle]

I think my kids have much much less clothes now than they would if they went to school.

 

I'm sure that will change as they get to those teenage years.

[fhjmom]

My kids would probably get more new clothes if they went to PS. When we are at home, I am not worried if their shirt has a stain or they match exactly. I would want them to look more presentable at school. Sometimes do have them change before we go out and about.

 

I also let them wear things at home that I would not let them wear to school, like certain shorts, including athletic shorts (not that they ever wear "short-shorts" but some are just not for school).

 

Before HS-ing, DS went to a private Christian school and they had "real" uniforms that must be purchased from the one specific uniform company; those were expensive!

[m0mmaBuck]

My kids dress in what I would consider "play clothes" (i.e. sweats, yoga pants, t-shirts) most of the time since they are home. If they were in PS, they would still wear play clothes when they got home but would need different clothes for school.

[Laura Corin]

Almost all schools in the UK have uniforms - some are more, some less strict.

 

Laura

[Lara in Colo]

I don't care about their clothes as much now. They wear "whatever", as long as it is weather appropriate and not dirty. Stains, holes in knees etccc do not bother me. I think this year I'm gonna buy all sweats. IMO

my children just need 3 or so nice outfits (to go to the library and museums). I also find this is helpful on the stress level here at home, I don't spend as much time "catching" stains for pretreatment and yelling about what they wore when and "how did you get blueberry stains HERE"???

 

I never really spent much on clothes (I shopped the MOM's sales and bought used, I was worried about how to afford the "good" stuff when they got older. Now I don't worry as much. I worry about how to afford teaching textbooks instead. LOL

 

Lara

[Baseball mom]

With us hsing I don't worry about clothes. When at home you are allowed to wear whatever you want. Doesn't matter if it matches or has a stain. Of course if we leave the house you need to have on something decent that matches.

 

If they were in school they I would have to buy them uniforms (khakis and solid polos and a belt) They would also have to have a certain type jacket, special gym shoes and gym clothes.

[KidsHappen]

Yep, when my kids were home they frequently wore pjs or shorts and tanks. We weren't overly concerned with length or if it had writing or small holes or frayed areas. My children dressed in very unique and individual ways almost none of which fell into the school dress code.

Edited July 28, 2010 by KidsHappen

[Jan in SC]

AH! Uniforms...we don't have those here. That makes a lot more sense. I'm very type A, so I do worry about matching, holes, etc... on a daily basis, and sadly, I have an addiction to monogramming, but I completely understand that uniforms would make it more expensive.

[Hannah C.]

My sophomore year of public high school, there was a dress code. Shirts had to be collared and tucked in, a belt had to be worn with pants, and there was a length requirement on shorts and skirts.

 

My junior and senior year they restricted colors as well as requiring all of the above. Tops could be white, khaki, navy blue, or black. Bottoms could be white, khaki, or navy blue. I believe they added black to bottoms my senior year. This dress code is still in effect. Logos are *NOT* allowed on shirts. Until you can't have logos you don't realize how many great school-uniform shirts have logos on them.

 

It's a uniform. Do they call it that? No, because then they would have to help people buy the uniforms if they got free lunch. :mad: By calling it a dress code, the school had no obligation to help anyone with the cost of new special school clothes. This was a district-wide dress code, with some variations from elementary to high school.

[Renee in NC]

I can get away with worn/stained clothes at home (mostly shorts and t-shirts.) They would have to wear nicer clothes to school (or uniforms if they went to private school.)