Oh Monday, Why Art Thou So?
I still wonder if any of that “snitch” actually made it to her lovely pie hole.
My girls want new backpacks for school, and I told them no.
Their old backpacks are JUST fine, and basically look brand new.
Plus, I honestly don’t have ANY extra money for back to school stuff right now. Am I alone here? I can’t even afford paint for my dumb entryway. Why can’t we all just wear our Summer clothes for the first couple months of school? It’s still blazing hot, and if they’re good enough for Instagram pictures with filters thrown over them, then they’re good enough for 6 hours of sweaty recesses, dirty classroom floors and messy cafeteria lunches.
Can I get an amen!?
ZING!
April says
Strep sucks! Sorry you feel horrible and on a Monday to boot! Hang in there! I live in TN and so we have the heat and then we also have the HUMIDITY! LOL My son started Kindergarten and I didn't buy any new clothes, yet. We bought new shoes and a good backpack that should last him all of his Elementary school days. I think it's totally fine to forgo the new stuff now and then catch all this new Fall stuff on sale around the time it cools off to actually be able to wear them. I hope you feel better soon!
Christine Muñoz says
So sorry you're sick! And yes… School clothes are coming after the first day of school this year. Having to wear uniform polo shirts and shorts makes it a little easier – but no less expensive.
Lucrecia says
I finally had to tell my kids "back to school does not = Christmas!" It's worse as they get older and their friends all start posting their haul on instagram!
Laura Everyday Edits says
It is like the last breakfast, lunch and dinner over here in Colorado with the first day of school tomorrow. And, throw is tennis tryouts and this mom is going to gain 5 pounds in 5 days! Sleep, drink (liquids :0) and repeat. Meds will kick in shortly! xo, laura@
Raquel says
Hi! I have never commented but I have been a reader for a long time. I just wanted to say thank you for sharing and the struggle is real! A lot of times i see the beautiful blogs and IG pictures and think what do people do for a living to be able to dress their kids perfect, decorate a beautiful home and cook these pinworthy meals its nice to hear we are all in the same boat sometimes budgets are hard =)
Dianne says
Sorry to hear you are sick! I totally agree with you about reusing backpacks and I also reuse all school supplies that I can!!! Our school here in Canada only starts in September, but they also have school till June 30!
Andrea says
My boys use the same backpacks and often lunchboxes for multiple years. I bought them nice REI and Pottery Barn kids ones and I expect them to last! I have them wear summer clothes for the first month or so too. Maybe a new shirt for the first day but the same shorts for sure. Of course, I have boys that don't really care. I'm the one who cares! Thanks for keeping it real!
Bethany says
Marie's backpack from preschool is still in great shape. She's starting 2nd grade this year! Ha! I feel bad for her (because I have always refused to buy new backpacks unless old ones are toasat) so I'm handing it down to the little sister, whose backpack from last year is already ripping. What?! Note to self, Embark backpacks get a great big thumbs up from me.
I'm sorry you have strep. What's up with that?!
Unknown says
When it rains it pours! I hope you feel better soon. You are so crafty that you will probably learn to sew and make all of your girls' clothes. 🙂
mpv61 says
I've never subscribed to the "new outfit for the first day of school" thing. When I was a kid we did that, and my sister once tried to make me feel like I wasn't doing my part as a mom if I didn't do that for my kids. But it's such an artificial, money-making (for stores), money-wasting (for us) thing to do. We buy new clothes (which sometimes means "new to us" clothes) when they're needed, not when school is about to start!
Another thing we do to help with back-to-school economics is to stock up whenever they have those ridiculous "loss leader" sales, like a pack of pencils for a penny, or 5 cents for a pack of lined paper. Each member of the family can stand in line to purchase the maximum number you can get, or you go back daily until the sale is over. I can usually "shop" from my home supplies each year!
I hope you feel better soon!
Unknown says
Sorry that your Monday was so hard. Strep is the worst. No new backpack for Abby this year either. She is going to use a hand-me-down from one of your girls that is still in great shape. Luckily she thinks that it is awesome. 😉 I love the "idea" of new school clothes and supplies but hate the idea of spending a lot of money on things that will not last very long when there are other more important things to worry about. Frugality is my goal so I can eventually get out of this two bedroom apartment before I'm 50. Bahaha!
Karri says
what what? you mean people get new backpacks every year? ha. not mine. not till zippers break. also, kids don't get new clothes till they outgrow them!
feel better, mama
kansasgirl1 says
I used to get caught up in the "new clothes for a new school year" idea, but them I realized my son really didn't care about it. So now we buy shoes and clothes when he needs them, not because it's a new school year. And after years of buying everything on the school supply list, now we buy a few basics and only buy other stuff when a need arises. AND JUST THROW AWAY THE TARGET ADS, DON'T LOOK – THEY ARE BEWITCHING AND WILL SUCK YOU INTO THEIR TRAP!!
Kristen says
I used to get strep every fall growing up. Lucky me, it has moved to summer. Because having strep in the summertime when the kids are home is just rad. I hope your man is getting you some yummy pellet ice to ease the pain!
Nelly@DGInnovations says
It's been a while since I've been around…but still love this BLOG—-I'm digging the "let's be real" and "I'm broke" post! I am totally on the same page as you!! Get well soon!!!!
dginnovations.blogspot.com
Unknown says
Hope you are feeling better by now! Strep sucks!
My boys are also getting weirder as the summer goes on. Thank goodness school starts Monday! I'm glad I've taken some time off this summer to spend time with them, but man are they exhausting!
oh, and A-freaking-men girl! I REFUSE to buy cold-weather clothing while it's still hot out. They can wear the same grody clothes they've been wearing all summer. After all, they are only going to run around, get dirty and funky anyway right? Who needs to look cute before picture day? Not my boys! Besides, they are just going to grow out of anything I buy now, and, by the time they need to wear it the stuff will already have to be replaced. Weeds I tell ya.
And the paycheck thing? SERIOUSLY. DH gets paid once a month, compared to my bi-weekly but still. We always seem to spend more bi-weekly than we do on that monthly big spend…of course, him working out of town for weeks on end during fire season doesn't help.
Unknown says
I have two boys – one in middle school and one in high school. The hiigh schooler can wear what he wants, which is usually shorts and tee. Thankfully my middle schooler doesn't have to wear uniforms this year, so he is also wearing shorts and a tee. Neither of them got new summer stuff for school, but they did get new shoes. They also got new backpacks because they have to carry mesh backpacks, and those simply aren't substantial enough to make it through THREE years of use.
AR typically has very mild winters, so my boys will get some new jeans, track pants and maybe one pair of khakis each. They don't like coats and won't wear them. They wear hoodies and Northface-style jackets. So, I'll get fall/winter stuff when it's needed.
When they were younger, I bought all new uniforms inlcuding pants before school started. By the time it was cool enough here for them to wear those pants, they were three inches too short. I won't do that again.
Andrea says
Oh boy! THANK YOU for being a blogger who was totally REAL about money (i.e – life). I REALLY appreciate it. REALLY! HA! (I concure with Raquel completely). Also, I had strep throat two years ago. It was SOO painful and aweful.