You might think pass clothes along to someone else is a pretty simple task. You out them in a bag and hand them over. Simple, right?
After years of sorting, sizing, repairing, and reusing kids clothes, I have learned that there is actually more to it than that. A lot more.
Whether you are buying new clothes with plans to pass them on later or you have some hand-me-downs to sort through from someone else, here are a few tips to consider.
1. Buy clothes that are durable. Some clothes are made poorly, whether it's thin fabric that wears out easily or poorly stitched seams. Durable clothes are often more expensive but not always. For example, I have had great success with store brand jeans that are made with thicker denim.
2. Avoid trends. Some trends last; princesses and superheros are going to be around for a while. Some trends are just a flash in the pan. I once gave in and bought my daughter a High-School Musical jacket. It was on clearance and she had been begging for it. Within a few months the fad was gone and she didn't want to wear it. Neither did her younger sister. If I had held on to it for my youngest daughter would she wear it today? No. It would definitely be outdated and scream "HAND-ME-DOWN!!!"
3. The fewer frills the better. This is especially true of clothes for small kids. They grow so quickly their clothes rarely wear out. I had several pair of pants for toddlers that I used for boys and girls. They were plain and simple so no one can tell the difference.
4. Clothes shrink over time. I can't tell you how many times I have bought a shirt or pants for a child based on what they were wearing, only to discover that the clothes had shrunk and they really couldn't wear the size I purchased...yet!
5. Involve the kids in the process. Kids have different tastes. This is hard to accept sometimes. An outfit that one child loves, their sibling despises. Letting the kids help gives parents a better idea of what they like and why. Some of my kids were irritated by certain fabrics while others were not. When we have received clothes from others, sometimes we have opportunities to discuss modesty and what makes certain clothing inappropriate.
6. Plan for the future. Sometimes people give me clothes that no one can wear. If they are clean and in good condition ( and if I have the space) I keep them anyway. Kids grow quickly. Sooner or later someone will be able to wear them.
7. Shop your storage first. There have been a few instances where a child needed something like pants and I begrudgingly went out and bought brand new clothes to fill the need. A week or two later I went through our storage of kids clothes and found exactly what I had just purchased. In our case it wasn't a complete waste because those new clothes will be passed on to younger siblings. It is tempting to take the easier path and buy new clothes every time they need them. I still have to police myself and make sure I don't act on impulse when a little effort would save us money.
Keeping your kids dressed and presentable doesn't have to cost a fortune. Storing and organizing clothes takes a little effort but the savings are tremendous!
Showing posts with label provident living. Show all posts
Showing posts with label provident living. Show all posts
Monday, March 25, 2013
Monday, July 16, 2012
Superpowers 101: Moving With Kids
Moving is difficult all by itself. Moving with kids can be a nightmare!
Here are a few tips that have made this stressful time a little more bearable.
1. Talk To The Kids. Talking to the kids on their level can make a huge difference. Kids have feelings, too, you know. A 4 year old might be anxious about their toys and bed. A few reassuring words and a hug can go a long way. Older kids will likely be concerned about making friends and fitting in at a new school. My girls really enjoyed looking at potential houses online. The boys were more interested in school activities and sports.
2. Give Them A Job. Even my 2 year old wanted to be helpful while we cleaned and packed and painted. Of course not every job is kid friendly. Sometimes let the little ones carry things or put something in a bag or box or suitcase. They LOVED it! I gave them a damp sponge and let them clean the kitchen floor. The big kids were very helpful with yard work, cleaning windows, cleaning floors, suitcase packing, and babysitting while we were doing less kids-friendly jobs. There are MANY simple tasks kids can do that make the process just a little easier. This also gives us a chance to talk about their concerns.
3. Allow For a Little Freedom. Each of our kids has a backpack. I allowed them to pack whatever they wanted to keep themselves entertained. They chose toys and books that they personally like. I was a little surprised by what they chose and what they left behind. Not one has complained about their choices. They also are able to play with the things the other children brought so there is some variety.
4. Feeding The Masses. This can be quite a challenge with a large family. Eating at a restaurant can be very expensive, especially if it takes a while to get into a house. Staying in a hotel that offers a hot breakfast can be a HUGE benefit. Even if they just offer cereal, you can feed the kids one meal a day with no added expense.
Look for deals and coupons at local restaurants. We were able to feed the kids a hearty meal at a sit-down restaurant with a "kids-eat-free" night for less than any fast-food place. Even though there is often a limit on the number of kids who eat free it still gave us a sizable discount.
Most hotels offer a microwave and small refrigerator in the rooms. You can buy food at a grocery store and eat adequate meals for much less than a restaurant. Sandwiches, salads, and fresh fruit are filling and healthy. (If your kids aren't used to eating these foods you might get some resistance. Consider eating this way on a regular basis so your family is prepared for unexpected changes)
5. In The Car. As I mentioned, the kids packed their own bag of toys. This helped keep them entertained in the car.
I also like DVD's for the car. The biggest challenge is that not all the kids can watch at once. We broke down and bought a second DVD player so we have once for each seat. (Some cars come with this but ours doesn't). The biggest drawback to this is that the kids sometimes throw the disks in the floor and they are scratched beyond repair.
My kids like to color in the car, too. It helps to have a book and crayons for each child so they don't fight over them. They are cheap enough to do this easily.
My older kids have started playing road games. They like the alphabet game, finding each letter in order on road signs.
My daughter recently played the license plate game with me. We found 23 states in just a few hours. (This also gave us time to talk between sightings.)
Here are a few tips that have made this stressful time a little more bearable.
1. Talk To The Kids. Talking to the kids on their level can make a huge difference. Kids have feelings, too, you know. A 4 year old might be anxious about their toys and bed. A few reassuring words and a hug can go a long way. Older kids will likely be concerned about making friends and fitting in at a new school. My girls really enjoyed looking at potential houses online. The boys were more interested in school activities and sports.
2. Give Them A Job. Even my 2 year old wanted to be helpful while we cleaned and packed and painted. Of course not every job is kid friendly. Sometimes let the little ones carry things or put something in a bag or box or suitcase. They LOVED it! I gave them a damp sponge and let them clean the kitchen floor. The big kids were very helpful with yard work, cleaning windows, cleaning floors, suitcase packing, and babysitting while we were doing less kids-friendly jobs. There are MANY simple tasks kids can do that make the process just a little easier. This also gives us a chance to talk about their concerns.
3. Allow For a Little Freedom. Each of our kids has a backpack. I allowed them to pack whatever they wanted to keep themselves entertained. They chose toys and books that they personally like. I was a little surprised by what they chose and what they left behind. Not one has complained about their choices. They also are able to play with the things the other children brought so there is some variety.
4. Feeding The Masses. This can be quite a challenge with a large family. Eating at a restaurant can be very expensive, especially if it takes a while to get into a house. Staying in a hotel that offers a hot breakfast can be a HUGE benefit. Even if they just offer cereal, you can feed the kids one meal a day with no added expense.
Look for deals and coupons at local restaurants. We were able to feed the kids a hearty meal at a sit-down restaurant with a "kids-eat-free" night for less than any fast-food place. Even though there is often a limit on the number of kids who eat free it still gave us a sizable discount.
Most hotels offer a microwave and small refrigerator in the rooms. You can buy food at a grocery store and eat adequate meals for much less than a restaurant. Sandwiches, salads, and fresh fruit are filling and healthy. (If your kids aren't used to eating these foods you might get some resistance. Consider eating this way on a regular basis so your family is prepared for unexpected changes)
5. In The Car. As I mentioned, the kids packed their own bag of toys. This helped keep them entertained in the car.
I also like DVD's for the car. The biggest challenge is that not all the kids can watch at once. We broke down and bought a second DVD player so we have once for each seat. (Some cars come with this but ours doesn't). The biggest drawback to this is that the kids sometimes throw the disks in the floor and they are scratched beyond repair.
My kids like to color in the car, too. It helps to have a book and crayons for each child so they don't fight over them. They are cheap enough to do this easily.
My older kids have started playing road games. They like the alphabet game, finding each letter in order on road signs.
My daughter recently played the license plate game with me. We found 23 states in just a few hours. (This also gave us time to talk between sightings.)
Friday, July 13, 2012
Superpowers 101:Moving- Packing List
Here are sample packing lists.
Clothes
4 pants
6 shirts
5 underwear
6 pair of socks
1 pajamas
1 bathing suit
Boys
1 church shirt
1 church pants
1 church socks
1 church shoes
1 tie
Girls
1 dress
1 tights
1 church shoes
I usually only plan for 4 or 5 days worth of clothes at the most. I expect to do laundry every few days at the most. Consider bringing detergent with you.
Unaccompanied Baggage
Towels (1 per person)
Wash cloths (one per person)
2-4 kitchen towels
2 pots (different sizes according to your needs)
1 frying pan
1 spatula (turner)
1 scrapper spatula
1 mixing bowl
1-2 serving/stirring spoon
1 grater
forks (1 per person)
spoons (1 per person)
butter knife (at least 1)
sharp knife (at least 1)
Baking dish
Cookie Sheet
1 Whisk
Plates (1 per person)
Bowls (1 per person)
Measuring cups
Measuring spoons
Basic spices (salt, pepper, sugar.These can be purchased later if necessary)
You can make most basic meals with this list, including sandwiches, cereal, pasta, burgers, hot dogs, cakes, brownies, etc. Adapt it for your own needs. I like to start this early and add to it as I notice what I use often. It also helps to make a list of easy meals you can eat during this time. Then you can make a more accurate list.
Clothes
4 pants
6 shirts
5 underwear
6 pair of socks
1 pajamas
1 bathing suit
Boys
1 church shirt
1 church pants
1 church socks
1 church shoes
1 tie
Girls
1 dress
1 tights
1 church shoes
I usually only plan for 4 or 5 days worth of clothes at the most. I expect to do laundry every few days at the most. Consider bringing detergent with you.
Unaccompanied Baggage
Towels (1 per person)
Wash cloths (one per person)
2-4 kitchen towels
2 pots (different sizes according to your needs)
1 frying pan
1 spatula (turner)
1 scrapper spatula
1 mixing bowl
1-2 serving/stirring spoon
1 grater
forks (1 per person)
spoons (1 per person)
butter knife (at least 1)
sharp knife (at least 1)
Baking dish
Cookie Sheet
1 Whisk
Plates (1 per person)
Bowls (1 per person)
Measuring cups
Measuring spoons
Basic spices (salt, pepper, sugar.These can be purchased later if necessary)
You can make most basic meals with this list, including sandwiches, cereal, pasta, burgers, hot dogs, cakes, brownies, etc. Adapt it for your own needs. I like to start this early and add to it as I notice what I use often. It also helps to make a list of easy meals you can eat during this time. Then you can make a more accurate list.
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Superpowers 101: Adventurousness
My husband says I'm adventurous because I am not afraid to try new things. Or even old things that I was not great at before.
Like making loaves of bread. I can make great rolls but I have never managed an acceptable loaf. Until today! Here is the recipe.
 |
| Fresh, homemade Honey-Wheat bread! I can't believe how big it got! |
Last summer we had a bounteous crop of strawberries so I tried making jam for the first time. I tried a few different variations (all from recipes) and found one that I really liked. Today, I tried making mixed berry jam with strawberries, blackberries, raspberries and blueberries. I was nervous, I admit it. But my adventurousness paid off again! YUM!!!
 |
| Fresh, home-made mixed berry jam. It turned out AMAZING!!! |
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Superpowers 101: Shopping with a Toddler...or 2 or 3!
I have joined a facebook couponing group. Someone recently asked "How do I go shopping with my toddler?" I almost laughed out loud! I have been shopping with children for almost 12 years. I took my 4 oldest to the store often. When they were small, I got one of those carts with a double seater attached, strapping the older ones into the seats and setting the 2 infant carriers across the basket. I had to remove one each time I put something into the cart! I even took them to the Commissary case lot sale!!! I have sometimes taken all 7 of my children to the store (although I try not to!)
Here are a few things I have learned that make shopping with young children a little smoother.
1. Give Yourself Lots of Time! This is a really big one. When you are in a rush, you are less patient so you get easily annoyed and irritated which makes your kids more irritated which makes you...you know, 'round and round it goes! I give myself plenty of time and try not to plan anything else on shopping days so I can take my time. It feels like a field trip instead of a chore.
2. Go Early: If you go early in the day the store is usually not crowded. This isn't just for your kids but you too. When the store is crowded there is a feeling that you might be in someone else's way. If the store is empty you can compare prices and take the kids to the bathroom without inconveniencing others.
3. Plan Ahead: Make a list. Go down the aisles in your head and make your list according to what it on each aisle. This helps you get through the store faster and avoid the areas that might cause trouble (like the candy aisle!) I like to put a star next to the items that I have coupons for so I know when to go to my coupons and when to skip it.
4. Pack A Bag: Bring your diaper bag (or purse) packed with a few simple items to entertain your kids. Some ideas might include a small snack, candy or gum, a few small toys like a car or small doll, a water bottle. I sometimes let my kids play with expired coupons so they feel like they are doing what I am doing. I save these items for later and I don't let them know I have them. I can usually get about half way through the store without going for the bag, sometimes longer!
5. Include Them: Ask them questions like "Which bananas should we get?" or "The hamburger's on sale. Should we get some?" "Can you believe there are so many varieties of barbecue sauce?"My daughter seems to think she is making some pretty important decisions! She reminds me to get things and really enjoys our trips.
6. Give Yourselves A Break: You have a TODDLER!!! There will be tears. There will be smiles. There will be stinky diapers 5 minutes after you change the wet one. There will be rude people who tell you to make some friends so you don't have to bring your kids in public (yes, someone actually said this to me!) Just let it go. Be gentle with yourselves.
Who cares if your child gets worn out by the time you reach the freezer section and cries for 10 minutes because you didn't get the right Popsicles! Who cares if he realizes that his voice echos and he screeches through the store, laughing every time you try to shush him? Does it really matter in the eternal scheme of things? If you get the food and the kids leave the store smiling, you can count the trip a success. What happens in Kroger, stays in Kroger!
What else has worked for you? What has been a miserable failure? Share your ideas!
Here are a few things I have learned that make shopping with young children a little smoother.
1. Give Yourself Lots of Time! This is a really big one. When you are in a rush, you are less patient so you get easily annoyed and irritated which makes your kids more irritated which makes you...you know, 'round and round it goes! I give myself plenty of time and try not to plan anything else on shopping days so I can take my time. It feels like a field trip instead of a chore.
2. Go Early: If you go early in the day the store is usually not crowded. This isn't just for your kids but you too. When the store is crowded there is a feeling that you might be in someone else's way. If the store is empty you can compare prices and take the kids to the bathroom without inconveniencing others.
3. Plan Ahead: Make a list. Go down the aisles in your head and make your list according to what it on each aisle. This helps you get through the store faster and avoid the areas that might cause trouble (like the candy aisle!) I like to put a star next to the items that I have coupons for so I know when to go to my coupons and when to skip it.
4. Pack A Bag: Bring your diaper bag (or purse) packed with a few simple items to entertain your kids. Some ideas might include a small snack, candy or gum, a few small toys like a car or small doll, a water bottle. I sometimes let my kids play with expired coupons so they feel like they are doing what I am doing. I save these items for later and I don't let them know I have them. I can usually get about half way through the store without going for the bag, sometimes longer!
5. Include Them: Ask them questions like "Which bananas should we get?" or "The hamburger's on sale. Should we get some?" "Can you believe there are so many varieties of barbecue sauce?"My daughter seems to think she is making some pretty important decisions! She reminds me to get things and really enjoys our trips.
6. Give Yourselves A Break: You have a TODDLER!!! There will be tears. There will be smiles. There will be stinky diapers 5 minutes after you change the wet one. There will be rude people who tell you to make some friends so you don't have to bring your kids in public (yes, someone actually said this to me!) Just let it go. Be gentle with yourselves.
Who cares if your child gets worn out by the time you reach the freezer section and cries for 10 minutes because you didn't get the right Popsicles! Who cares if he realizes that his voice echos and he screeches through the store, laughing every time you try to shush him? Does it really matter in the eternal scheme of things? If you get the food and the kids leave the store smiling, you can count the trip a success. What happens in Kroger, stays in Kroger!
What else has worked for you? What has been a miserable failure? Share your ideas!
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Superpowers 101: Adventures in Gardening, Part 2
We put all the kids to work in the garden!
He loves the outdoors, mud and all!
Most of this is tomatoes from one day's harvest from our garden. We have lots of Romas, some Lemon Boys, Cherokee Purple tomatoes, and a few Big Boys.
These are grapes and raspberries from our own plants! We are so thrilled! This was the first grapes we have picked but we have probably had a cup or 2 of rasberried this summer.
Monday, July 25, 2011
Superpowers 101:Adventures in Gardening
We have tried to have a garden for the past few years. Sometimes it works out, sometimes, not so much. This year has been quite successful. We still tend to learn through the trial-and-error method but we are really excited about the succes of our efforts this year.
Here are some of the fruits of our labors.
Here are some of the fruits of our labors.
Tomatoes and herbs
Raspberries
.
Strawberries
Grapes
Pumpkins!
Pepper
Greenbeans climbing the fence
Corn
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Superwoman Does Laundry
I have a mountain of laundry. Or maybe it is more a volcano, always replenishing itself and growing taller if left unchecked.
I have been frustrated by the amount of detergent I have to use to manage this chore. About a year ago I came across some suggestions that seemed pretty do-able. They have worked out great for me and I thought I would pass them on to you.
1. Cut dryer sheets in half. What a simple idea! When I heard this I was annoyed for not thinking of this myself. I have been doing this for several months now. I can't tell a difference. If I notice a load is a little staticy I throw in another half sheet and turn the dryer back on for a few minutes.
2. Homemade detergent. The article I read about this told how to make liquid detergent. It was a lot of work and you would still need to stir it every time you used it because the ingredients would settle. I decided to look into the idea further. I found a simple recipe for powdered detergent. I tried it. It worked great! I made a large batch and marked the calender.
It cost about $12.00 to make and lasted a week shy of 6 months!
During that time I got liquid detergents from various sources and when my homemade stuff ran out I decided to use that. I went through 3 bottles of liquid detergent in 6 WEEKS!!! Those three bottles alone cost more than the ingredients for the homemade stuff.
Here is the recipe (which I have altered a little) and pictures of the process.
2 boxes Borax
2 boxes Washing Soda
1 large box Baking Soda
10 bars of soap (I used plain old Ivory)
You will also need a large container with a lid (mine is 15 QT) and a cheese grater or food processor...and a large spoon and possibly another large bowl to help with mixing.
I have been frustrated by the amount of detergent I have to use to manage this chore. About a year ago I came across some suggestions that seemed pretty do-able. They have worked out great for me and I thought I would pass them on to you.
1. Cut dryer sheets in half. What a simple idea! When I heard this I was annoyed for not thinking of this myself. I have been doing this for several months now. I can't tell a difference. If I notice a load is a little staticy I throw in another half sheet and turn the dryer back on for a few minutes.
2. Homemade detergent. The article I read about this told how to make liquid detergent. It was a lot of work and you would still need to stir it every time you used it because the ingredients would settle. I decided to look into the idea further. I found a simple recipe for powdered detergent. I tried it. It worked great! I made a large batch and marked the calender.
It cost about $12.00 to make and lasted a week shy of 6 months!
During that time I got liquid detergents from various sources and when my homemade stuff ran out I decided to use that. I went through 3 bottles of liquid detergent in 6 WEEKS!!! Those three bottles alone cost more than the ingredients for the homemade stuff.
Here is the recipe (which I have altered a little) and pictures of the process.
2 boxes Borax
2 boxes Washing Soda
1 large box Baking Soda
10 bars of soap (I used plain old Ivory)
You will also need a large container with a lid (mine is 15 QT) and a cheese grater or food processor...and a large spoon and possibly another large bowl to help with mixing.
Grate the bar soap. I layered a box of borax, box of washing soda, 5 bars of soap flakes, baking soda, then repeated the layers.
Stir everything together. I scooped some into a large bowl, and stirred each then mixed them together again. You could try mixing as you go. I tried sifting the first batch which was a LOT of work and not really worth the effort.
Use 2 Tablespoons per load. (Notice the plastic baggy. It has the recipe and the date this batch was made so I can keep track of how long it lasts.)
Last time I just scooped it from the large container. This time I used a smaller empty container with a scoop. Half a scoop is just right. (I considered adding this product to the batch but I decided to reserve it for really dirty loads.)
One more note: Walmart didn't have any of these ingredients. The Commissary had all of it. You might have to look around for them but it is definitely worth the effort!
Monday, April 25, 2011
Superpowers 101: Making Old Things New Again, Part 2
Here are some patches for boys' jeans
Outer Space
On The Farm
A few more ideas for girls' jeans
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Superpowers 101: Making Old Things New Again.
I have been very disappointed in the quality of my kids jeans lately, particularly the girls' jeans. It seems that they are crafted for style and flashiness, not durability. Maybe my girls are a little rough but I still think kids clothes should be made to last a while.
Now, I know that holey, tattered jeans are kind of "in" right now but I don't really care for it. So, as the number of jeans with built-in air conditioning increased, I decided to do something about it. Here are the pictures and step-by-step instructions of how I mended half a dozen pairs of jeans for my girls.
Now, I know that holey, tattered jeans are kind of "in" right now but I don't really care for it. So, as the number of jeans with built-in air conditioning increased, I decided to do something about it. Here are the pictures and step-by-step instructions of how I mended half a dozen pairs of jeans for my girls.
Before:
Here I have matched a solid fabric with a pattern.
I have also matched embroidery floss to use for embellishing the patches.
For the patches, I made a pattern out of an empty box. (cereal boxes are great!)
I chose shapes that are simple and coordinate with the fabric I am using for patches.
I traced the pattern over the hole with a ball point pen. (This takes a while to come out in the wash but it is easy to use and shows well. If you care careful, you can cover the pen marks with embroidery floss and it won't be noticeable.) Make sure the entire hole fits into the pattern. You might have to adjust the size or angle to make it fit.
Pin a piece of fabric to the inside of the jeans so that the front of the patch shows through the hole.
Sew by hand around the shape you drew on the jeans. For some
I used regular thread first, then used embroidery floss. For others, I only used the embroidery floss. 
I used a back stitch for the embellishment.
I used three different colors to create a layered outline effect. I also added a leaf using the same back stitch and matching floss. Then I snipped off the excess denim near the stitching. This will leave a slightly frayed look after it has been washed.
The other knee of this pair was thin but not yet holey so I made a more decorative image here.
I just eye-balled the cut-outs within the pattern I had made before.
I used a scrap of silk from an old shirt to give it a dressier look. As you can see, I only cut out the petals.
I stitched the center with all three colors to reinforce the remaining denim.
I tried using fusible interfacing as a backing for the patches but it kept peeling off. I finally bought some fabric glue from a craft store. I glued on a rectangular piece of denim (from old jeans) and trimmed the edges. I also used my sewing machine to sew the sides of the denim to the seam of the jeans as extra reinforcement. It made them a little stiff at first but the girls didn't mind. They said it was more comfortable than the raw patch or the interfacing. The denim backing makes the whole area much stronger, too. (Note: be careful that your glue doesn't bleed through or you will glue it to itself!)
Here is the finished product.
I tried to add variety so the girls had some choices. Here are the others.
 |
| This is my favorite! It doesn't show well in this picture but I added a little spiral to the bottom wing. |
I made the heart and flower by hand but for the butterflies, I printed coloring pages from the Internet. I didn't plane to do any for the boys because I didn't think they would like it. This week, John got a whole in his jeans and asked for an Iron man patch. (doesn't ask for much, does he?!) If that happens, I will post pictures.
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