As the school year rolls around, alongside the endless supply lists of binders, pens, and notebooks, you also have another essential task: shopping for back-to-school clothes. It’s time to gather those unused gift cards and prepare for a wardrobe refresh that your tween insists is necessary now that autumn has officially arrived.
This shopping adventure will likely lead you to the mall, and let me assure you, it’s not the same as a solo trip to grab a pair of yoga pants—typically a drama-free task. Shopping with your tween means navigating through a variety of stores to find clothes that are not only reasonably priced but also cover all the necessary bits and are stylish enough for your child to be seen in.
Expect to step into brightly colored shops that might overwhelm your senses or into dimly lit, high-end boutiques that will remind you of your childhood shopping days at J.C. Penney. Most importantly, prepare to engage with a young person who would prefer to keep their earbuds in rather than have a conversation with you. So, for all the parents out there who could use some tips to navigate this experience successfully, here’s a little quiz to set the right mood.
- Before heading out, you:
- a. Enthusiastically declare that shopping is fun and that you’ll leave all the eye-rolls and silent treatments at home for a memorable bonding day!
- b. Caution your tween that the mall visit is for clothes, not for indulging in Starbucks or those delicious Dippin’ Dots.
- c. Demand your tween pick up the clothes scattered across her floor, only to realize she has everything she needs already.
- d. Choose to say nothing.
Correct answer: d. As a seasoned parent of a tween, you know that silence is golden. (However, if you’re feeling particularly adventurous, b could be the way to go.)
- Upon arriving at the store, you:
- a. Follow your tween closely, even when she tries to lose you among the racks.
- b. Enter with your tween but promptly find the nearest seat to scroll through social media while trying to ignore her trendy choices.
- c. Wait outside, only rising for a quick pretzel from Auntie Anne’s.
- d. Start nibbling your nails in anticipation.
Correct answer: Trick question! None of these options truly fits. As you approach the store, your tween will likely act as if she’s shopping solo. No offense, but you’re not 11 anymore, and let’s face it, you just don’t get it. (If the day has been particularly taxing, you might want to go with c.)
- When your tween wants to try on a few outfits, you:
- a. Slip into the dressing room before she can close the door.
- b. Wait outside the dressing room, close enough to shout encouragement through the door.
- c. Channel your inner Kevin Arnold’s mother and loudly remind her to check the fit.
- d. Resume biting your nails, hoping the items she loves are out of stock.
Correct answer: None of the above! Your tween doesn’t want you anywhere near the dressing room; you’re old news!
- When she finds something she likes, you:
- a. Agree it’s nice, but only if you’re trying to steer her away from it.
- b. Pretend to dislike it, hoping to spark her desire to buy it.
- c. Critique the quality to the point where she claims you ruin everything.
- d. Say nothing and just hand over your credit card.
Correct answer: d. Just make sure to remind her that you only have budgeted enough for three shirts and two pairs of pants. This will lead to her reluctantly putting back that trendy $80 item she’s eyeing, all while mumbling under her breath.
After this shopping excursion, you might feel triumphant while your tween is preoccupied with the items she couldn’t get. The car ride home will likely be filled with silence and occasional glares at the traffic lights. But don’t worry; in no time, your tween will need new shoes, and by then, you’ll be seasoned enough to let your husband handle the next shopping trip.
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Summary
Shopping with your tween can be a challenging yet rewarding experience. By keeping communication minimal and navigating their preferences, you can make the outing more enjoyable for both of you. As trends come and go, remember that each shopping trip is a learning experience that will prepare you for the next round.
Keyphrase: Shopping with your tween
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