Planning for Kids Wardrobe Changes

Tips for co-parents to navigate wardrobe changes as kids grow out of clothing.

• 3 min read
• custody

If there’s one thing you can count on as a parent, it’s that your kids are continuously growing, changing, and evolving. As the fall weather sets in, you’re once again faced with wardrobe changes, and making sure your kids have everything they need.

It’s probably been months since your child last wore clothes meant for colder weather, and the truth is, some of those items may not fit anymore. According to an article by the Independent Retailer, on average, children grow out of their clothes every six months. It’s the perfect time to take stock of the items your child can still make use of, and what items they may have grown out of, as the seasons change.

For children living in two different households, this is sometimes a little more challenging

To help the process run smoothly and avoid conflict, co-parents should take time to assess and discuss their child’s fall and winter clothing needs. Here are four simple tips to help you and your co-parent navigate seasonal wardrobe changes:

• Take inventory. You and your co-parent should both assess the clothing items your child has at each household. Make sure you cover all the essentials, as well as items like socks, jackets, hats, and gloves. Each parent should make a list of the items needed.
• ​Communicate. Once you and your co-parent both have a list, discuss them with each other. It’s crucial for both parents to be on the same page when it comes to clothing needs. TalkingParents offers several helpful tools for co-parents to share this kind of information. Our Info-Library feature allows you to securely store and share details like clothing sizes, what items and how many you have, and what is needed all in one place.
• Plan. After sharing your lists, it’s time to get organized. Set a budget, decide who is purchasing what, and choose a date to have the lists completed by. If you and your co-parent are looking for a way to coordinate and share clothing expenses, try the TalkingParents’ Accountable Payments feature.
• Follow up. On the agreed upon date, it’s important to check-in with each other to make sure both lists are completed. This step keeps you and your co-parent accountable. If any clothing is still needed, make a plan to purchase the remaining items.

Account for switch days

You and your co-parent should consider keeping multiples of each item at both homes. This will come in handy for both parents if certain clothing items are forgotten on switch days.

You can also create a “switch day clothing check list” to ensure your child has everything they need. It may not be cold on the day your child is switching households, but it may be later in the week. A checklist will help you remember important items like gloves, hats, scarves, and jackets in preparation for potential weather changes.

Planning for seasonal wardrobe changes can save you time, money, and headaches

Taking time to get organized ahead of time can help you avoid the possibility of your child not having something they need on a school day or right before an important event. This helps you avoid the possibility of having to run to the store at the last minute and make a rushed purchase.