Free shipping on USA orders over $129!
Children’s Wardrobes
- This topic has 8 replies, 6 voices, and was last updated 15 years, 6 months ago by
.
Viewing 9 posts - 1 through 9 (of 9 total)
- Posts
I’m thinking that clothes multiply faster than bunnies. We are underway to making more storage space (hard to expect children to put away clothes that do not have room!) but I would like to hear how you all manage clothing in a large family. I’ve not yet found that balance of how much they really need versus how much they have.
Thanks!
Cindy
Clothing storage? That would only take away space for books. 🙂
But seriously, we have a space in the basement with boxes of clothing organized and labeled by size and gender. Karen has the kids go through their drawers twice a year when the seasons change to see what still fits and what isn’t needed for the season. They make a list of what each child needs to complete their wardrobe for the upcoming season. Then they go through the boxes and pull out what they need. The extras are put back in the boxes as hand-me-downs for next season, given away, or made into rags, as appropriate. That leaves us with a shopping list of what everyone still needs, which unfortunately, only serves to take away funds for buying more books. 😉
We do mostly what Doug said. But take into account that my boys pretty much fall in a row and until the last 2 there isn’t much storage then I use the shelves in there closets, under beds in bins and in our storage room.
That time 2 times a year when we go through clothes is an all day process but worth it. Then I can just say ok.. X has plenty of socks for winter but no PJ’s or what ever.
Also, if you don’t have room in the house don’t foget by putting cedar in a bucket which not only smells good but will keep mice away you could use the attic if need by I know lots of people by me that do that.
Good luck Cindy
Misty
As far as how much they need v. how much they have, I usually use how often I plan to do laundry as the litmus test. For example, I like to do laundry every four days or so (twice a week, roughly), so I figure that four pajamas or nightgowns should be sufficient — maybe five if I want some breathing room. Since they can wear jeans for more than one day, two pairs works for us, and a pair of khakis to wear to church. Then they usually end up with several shirts, maybe 6 or 7, to select from. The older girls are starting to wear skirts more, so they add one or two of those into the mix too.
This is probably way more information than you want to know about our family, so I’ll quit now. 😉
Pardon me, Misty, but did I hear you say you had a great way to keep mice away? Please let me in on all the details of how this cedar in a bucket works, because we have an influx every fall in our crawl space…and it’s already begun!!!
Help, Faith 🙂
Faith, I didn’t say we have a “great way” what I said was mice don’t like the smell of cedar. 🙂
Mice don’t like cedar and mothballs. Mothballs wouldn’t be such a great smell in your clothes so I go with the cedar which gives them the outdoors smell till you wash them. Otherwise I don’t like to but have to go with the glue traps.. luckily I have 5 young men (not including dad) who love to take these little monsters out of my house if need be. Me I wont go near them.
Hope that helps or at least makes you smile.
Misty
Cindy –
Be ruthless! We (they) really don’t need as much as we think they do. After you “hand down” a few items to a few siblings you usually wind up having too much. Not to mention the donations from friends and gifts (maybe?) from family.
We also do the “fashion show” 2 times a year to see what is really needed. My kids actually kinda like it.
Sonya had a good way of looking at it: think of how many times each week you’re going to do laundry and then you’ll know how much clothing you’ll need to have to make it in between the washings.
Keep it simple. It’s really rather refreshing for the children, I think, when they don’t have to try and find a place to keep all that stuff. I know our youngest (a girl) really struggles with this. She is often overwhelmed with what to do with all the adorable clothing she’s accumulated. I, myself, am looking at going thru her stuff to see what she really needs. Does a girl truly need 10 pairs of jeans, 3/4 sweat pants plus capris plus shorts, and skorts and well you get the point. 😀 Don’t get me started on her sweaters, hoodies, jackets and coats. Yikes!
Blessings,
Cindy
Misty, Thanks for clearing that up! We use traps as well because I want no question in their mind about entering further into my home than the crawl space. I do have all my clothing in plastic bins, so they don’t seem to bother with them.
Cindy, I have the same issue with the number of clothing items, and I have 2 girls!!! It’s hideous! I agree–keep it simple. I go through the clothes every month or so to see what they haven’t even worn once. They definitely go. Then I check for fresh stains or things they’ve outgrown. It’s so frustrating for them to not be able to put away their own clothes because their dressers are so packed! I feel that it’s a dual blessing and curse to accept hand-me-downs because I end up going through all the clothes, picking out the few decent ones, then getting rid of what I won’t use. Then they get clothes for their birthday or Christmas (I’ve actually had my mother-in-law complain that she can’t buy clothes for her granddaughters, so I quick telling people not to buy clothes!) It gets out of control!! I can go full years without having to purchase one thing for either of my daughters! Easy on the pocketbook–tough on the storage!
Faith 🙂
Okay, I’m armed and ready! We do have lots and lots of donations. My boys especially have so many t-shirts and shorts and I think, ‘well, I know they’ll end up staining a few of these so let’s keep extra.’ Plus it’s hard to get rid of nice things! This time of year can be difficult because yesterday they wore shorts, today might be sweatsuits…It gets overwhelming, especially when you multiply all this by eight children! Thanks for the ‘umph’ ladies (and Doug 🙂 :)…you are so funny)! Now I just need to go do it – and I plan to be ruthless (I love that one!).
Blessings to you all – have a great Wednesday,
Cindy
Viewing 9 posts - 1 through 9 (of 9 total)
- The topic ‘Children’s Wardrobes’ is closed to new replies.