Used clothes, consumerism, kids (was Christians, I don't know why)
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In a message dated 4/11/03 9:28:41 AM, sorcha-aisling@... writes:
<< I also shop for my children in used clothing and toy stores. I
frequently find things that are brand new, even in their original
package or with tags still attached. In affluent neighborhoods, parents
overbuy and the kids never even use some of the stuff. >>
We got Holly $35 worth of clothes in a thrift store the other day.
Seven pieces.
Four of those still had the store tags on them. Two we didn't notice until
we got home.
Well the pink and white jeans didn't have the new tags, but the inspection
paper was in the front pocket, never been washed, and that's how we knew that
was new.
She's thrilled with her haul! Some of the items had been $40 new. Looked
like someone's grandma had bought a girl two matching fancy shirts the girl
didn't like, because two colors of the same shirt were on the rack, all tags
intact. Holly got one, not both, at $4.
I love that my kids are willing to wear whatever.
Kirby was told he should wear solid red or black to work, or shirts with a
collar (he doesn't want to), or t-shirts with logos of things they sell
there. He's had things from time to time, but the games went out of print.
So at Christmas I hunted around the internet and bought him t-shirts with
logos of some current games. Since that expensive time (but fun, and
appreciated), he has gotten NINE free shirts from working Magic tournaments
or from card-set releases. I can't believe the number of t-shirts he has
now, and is still wearing thinning things he's had for five years. They
stretch along with him. But because he doesn't go to school, nobody's saying
"Kirby, you've been wearing this shirt since 7th grade, don't wear it
anymore," or "THIS shirt isn't cool, why are you wearing it?"
Marty was at the thrift store the other day and some youngish two-year
veteran struck up a conversation with Marty so he could insult him for
wearing camouflage pants. Because the 22 year old had been in the service
and Marty was only 14, he took it upon himself to tell Marty that it was
disgraceful for him/Marty to be wearing those. I found out about it later.
Marty was amused, not embarrassed or insulted. Because Marty hasn't grown
up with the kids at school telling him what to wear or not to wear, he has a
large amount of calm mental health about what he wears. And that saves us
lots of money! (among other advantages)
The reason he has camo pants is Keith's work did a family paint-ball weekend
and the boys had nothing good for paintball, so went to the military surplus
store. Marty LOVED the pants, and has gotten two more pairs since.
Unschooling has ended up being SO much more than how they learn to read and
do math.
Sandra
<< I also shop for my children in used clothing and toy stores. I
frequently find things that are brand new, even in their original
package or with tags still attached. In affluent neighborhoods, parents
overbuy and the kids never even use some of the stuff. >>
We got Holly $35 worth of clothes in a thrift store the other day.
Seven pieces.
Four of those still had the store tags on them. Two we didn't notice until
we got home.
Well the pink and white jeans didn't have the new tags, but the inspection
paper was in the front pocket, never been washed, and that's how we knew that
was new.
She's thrilled with her haul! Some of the items had been $40 new. Looked
like someone's grandma had bought a girl two matching fancy shirts the girl
didn't like, because two colors of the same shirt were on the rack, all tags
intact. Holly got one, not both, at $4.
I love that my kids are willing to wear whatever.
Kirby was told he should wear solid red or black to work, or shirts with a
collar (he doesn't want to), or t-shirts with logos of things they sell
there. He's had things from time to time, but the games went out of print.
So at Christmas I hunted around the internet and bought him t-shirts with
logos of some current games. Since that expensive time (but fun, and
appreciated), he has gotten NINE free shirts from working Magic tournaments
or from card-set releases. I can't believe the number of t-shirts he has
now, and is still wearing thinning things he's had for five years. They
stretch along with him. But because he doesn't go to school, nobody's saying
"Kirby, you've been wearing this shirt since 7th grade, don't wear it
anymore," or "THIS shirt isn't cool, why are you wearing it?"
Marty was at the thrift store the other day and some youngish two-year
veteran struck up a conversation with Marty so he could insult him for
wearing camouflage pants. Because the 22 year old had been in the service
and Marty was only 14, he took it upon himself to tell Marty that it was
disgraceful for him/Marty to be wearing those. I found out about it later.
Marty was amused, not embarrassed or insulted. Because Marty hasn't grown
up with the kids at school telling him what to wear or not to wear, he has a
large amount of calm mental health about what he wears. And that saves us
lots of money! (among other advantages)
The reason he has camo pants is Keith's work did a family paint-ball weekend
and the boys had nothing good for paintball, so went to the military surplus
store. Marty LOVED the pants, and has gotten two more pairs since.
Unschooling has ended up being SO much more than how they learn to read and
do math.
Sandra