How to Get Children to Manage Their Wardrobe

Managing a wardrobe is something everyone has to do for themselves when they become an adult. Your wardrobe shows off your personality and is an important part of your everyday life. Help your kids learn how to manage their own clothes from a young age and this life skill will be easy when they are older.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Prepare for Purchasing New Clothes

1. Make a list of basic pieces your child will need for the season. Have your child go through clothing and sort into piles to keep, donate, pass down and sell. Make a new list of what needs to be replaced or added in the wardrobe.
2. Tell your child how much money he will have for new clothes. Give examples of how much certain items cost so your child can get an idea before shopping how much and what they will be able to purchase. Make this lesson age appropriate.
3. Create a list of stores they want to visit and what clothes they need from each store to complete their wardrobe. If your child is young, ask what characters or colors they are looking for.

Buying Clothes

4. Feed your child and make sure she is rested and in a good mood. Try not to bring siblings along or use this time for other errands. Plan on a movie or play place to break up shopping time.
5. Let your child choose basic pieces first. Show him how to tell if a garment fits or not. Check the price and use a calculator to subtract from the total as you go.
6. Choose accessories and shoes to match outfits to develop a wardrobe. If your child seems tired at this point, take a snack or play break. Then decide if your child is ready to shop for clothes again or if you should take another day to finish.

Taking Care of Clothes

7. Organize the closet with sorters. Have your child choose pants, shirt, socks, shoes, underwear and accessories and fill each day in the sorter with their wardrobe for the week. This will eliminate morning battles over what to wear.
8. Assign different colored baskets for different kids and fill them with your children's clothing. Assign a time each day for them to put the clothes away. Each summer you can spend some time teaching a new laundry skill and let the kids take it over gradually.
9. Put dirty laundry hampers in children's rooms. Have a time set aside for them to take the basket to the laundry room and sort clothes by color. Set aside a basket for stained clothing.