1. Set your goals and expectations – now cut them in half. You’re shopping, not bunkering down to study for exams. Being realistic will save your sanity.
2. Eat before you leave the house. You’ll need the energy to keep going after the first three stores only net you a single pair of jeans.
3. But plan to take a food break later, too. You’ll be burning calories just trying to maintain a straight face during the 50th fitting room visit and nobody enjoys a cranky sugar-crash shopping trip.
4. Wear a crossbody bag so your hands will be free when your offspring inevitably asks you to “hold this” while browsing racks.
5. Comfy shoes. Duh.
6. Don’t worry about dressing to the nines. This is a marathon, not a sprint, and it won’t matter what you look like if you can’t make it to the finish line.
7. Don’t dress like you just came from the gym either. I learned this one the hard way when I got a very different response than the lady in front of me at TJ Maxx. Granted, she was dressed like a grownup. I know, that shouldn’t matter, but there it is. I don’t make the snap judgement rules, I just try to live by them. Sometimes.
8. Decide which will make you less crazy: chipping away at school supply lists over multiple visits or a ninety minute full frontal attack, do-or-die approach to single day completion. Then own your choice.
9. Build in time for friend consultations via text. What, you thought your opinion mattered? Only because you pay the bill – when it comes to fashion advice you’re the touch of death.
10. Bond with other parents outside dressing room doors. Embrace the comradery. Maybe meet up for drinks later on. Lord knows you’ll all need them.
I like the part about “eating because you’ll need the energy”!
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This may apply more particularly to me than to the average bear but I still stand by it. 😉
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Good tips!
When they were small, one trip to one big store would do. When they really care about their apparel, when they use words like aesthetic and vibe, it’s a few trips to stores and then a whole day in the mall. Online shopping makes a nice dent these days. Thank tacos.
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Online shopping saved us with the game day dresses. She was having NONE of the local store options. Of course then she went & put one in the dryer so she’s down one dress before the season even really begins🙄.
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OH MY HEAVENS! LOL Live and learn!
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All of this. Allofit!
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There’s a reason I have so much gray in my hair. For heaven’s sake!
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I shall learn from the master.
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As did I. And yet there were still surprises out there! Teen girls are super fun.
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Brings back memories of the time my daughter got ‘stuck’ in a dress in the fitting room. 😳
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oh lawd, NO. But those are the moments you’re oh so grateful to have someone else nearby to help you get out!! (Reminds me of the time mine got stuck in a pair of skinny jeans a few summers ago…good times.)
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Good advice. I can ignore it, but it’s good advice.
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Oh yeah. I talk a good game but have flat out ignored/forgotten/been stupid about several of these rules this month. And I always pay the price for it. 😆
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Good, I don’t miss those excursions.
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Some of them are definitely better than others. I have to go for round three tomorrow because we found *nothing* on Tuesday. Honestly, there isn’t enough happy hour specials in the world to make that one better. 😆
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Oh my, round three 😳 I do feel sorry for you. Maybe you’ll need one of those tasty drinks that comes in a fish bowl. 😃
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That fish bowl size sounds about right!! 😆😆
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