family uniforms? - Page 2

[Usually Curious]

i understand the modesty dilemna AND the volume dilemna. we do mostly denim skirts. DD buys and washes her own clothes so she has gobs, but I only have a few winter length and about 4 summer lenght/weight skirts. I have about five t-shirts that I sometimes layer w/cardigans to change the look.

My old stained clothes become house clothes. I keep three or four sets of those. I rarely go out and when I do I can usually get several wearings out of my 'good clothes'. Who cares if people see me in the same thing all the time.

So, in total I may have more than 10 outfits, but I don't WASH that many each week, yk?

[annethcz]

I agree with the PPers. I don't think you need uniforms- you just need to use what you've got.

If your kids aren't willing to choose which clothes to keep and which to pass on, I think it's okay for you to make that decision. It's fairly easy to weed through WHEN you do the laundry. Some clothes go back into their drawers/closets, other clothes go into the donate bag (or into storage if you're not ready to get rid of them for good).

I also agree with the PPers that it's MUCH easier to handle laundry if you don't let it pile up. Wash clothes on a regular basis, and it's not such a big job. I have 4 kids (and they DO play outside and play sports and get their clothes dirty and SWEATY!), and I do at least a load of laundry/day. It's not a big deal, just one of my daily tasks. I also have my kids do their own laundry when they turn 10, which helps to cut down on what I have to do.

[brittneyscott]

I wouldn't do the uniforms exactly although it would make things easier. I do try to buy the kids clothes so that they all coordinate. Like this last year DD's shirts were pink or blue or shirts with the pink or blue in them. Bottoms were solid and could be mixed. All DS's shirts had red or navy and bottoms were solid. It makes it easier to dress them when everything matches everything and it still doesn't look oddball in public. When they get new clothes for next year (size) DD will have mostly skirts or jumpers with shirts but that's because she wants them. For my clothes I usually wear jeans and any top will match. I just try to find things that will match other stuff easily and isn't hard to care for.

Definitely limit the number of items though. I'm still debating on a good number of items per person but figure I can add more if needed. Right now I'm thinking 6-10 tops and 4-6 bottoms each. One thing I do like about the jumpers for girls though is that they are year round. Socks or thin tights in summer and thick tights in winter but we're in a mild winter climate.

[OkiMom]

I can totally understand the modesty dilemma, some of the stuff I see for young girls are totally shocking. I have the same problems (for shirts we need sleeves- at least short sleeves- high cut and covers the belly when the arms are raised, skirts have to be below the knees and not practically transparent in the sun or rain) so I can totally see where you are coming from.
We don't have uniforms per say. We all dress similar though, long skirts with tops or dresses. I have two little girls and I dress them the same a lot at their insistance. My oldest (shes 3) LOVES to have her little sister wear the same thing as her and my youngest (1 1/2) LOVES to match her big sister. Also helps that when I sew something I do two (one for each) because I figure I might as well since I have the sewing machine out anyway. My husband always wears jeans and a button down T-shirt or polo. When/if we have boys they will dress similar to him.
I know people would say its controlling but honestly it makes my life a TON easier and my daughters love wearing their dresses. If we go to the park/horse back riding/hiking etc we wear jeans or leggings under our skirts. If my oldest really likes a dress but it doesn't have sleeves then I put a shirt under it so its modest enough.
As for volume I haven't counted our clothes lately. I probably have a good 10 skirts, one or two dresses and tops to match the skirts. Most of them Im going to have to replace soon since I just found out Im pregnant and I doubt they will last through a pregnancy (size wise, not quality wise). My girls probably have 5-7 skirts, a few pairs of pants 10-15 Tshirts and a good 10-15 dresses. They also have 2 swimsuits, a cover up, 7 pairs of PJs and tons of undies/socks. They are really active and go through a couple of changes of clothes a day. I wash once a week.

[EviesMom]

I bought DS all jean shorts and t-shirts and DD a bunch of summery dresses and white leggings for summer outfits. They don't look like uniforms, and the kids have some choice of which dress and shirt each day, but no matter which one it is, the shorts and leggings are easy then. (I did target for the dresses, because DD had one of their dresses, they're light cotton but durable and affordable, and there were 5-6 different designs to choose from.)

[kittie313]

I been sick for the last 2 months, I have a heart condition and breathing issues plus limited mobility from a TIA last year. I also have NO help at home with chores, so it all falls on me. Laundry gets backed up because dh won't do laundry until he's out of something, and then he just tosses a load of HIS stuff in because he doesn't see it as his job to help with the rest. If I had a "uniform" look for everyone, then it would be easier because my 7yo could help if needed (kinda easy to sort out the white shirts and tights/leggings from the rest you know)