The Budget Fashionista

This is important for any mom who needs to plan her shopping around her small children.

Try not to take your children with you when you shop for yourself. Try to plan it so that there’s someone who can babysit. Or try bartering with a friend. She babysits for you while you shop, and then you babysit for her when she shops.

Supposing this doesn’t work and you have to take your kids with you? Here are some tips:
1) Limit the shopping to 1-2 stores. Choose stores that are stroller-friendly (if you need one). Some stores have reserved “stroller parking,” which I appreciate.
2) Keep the shopping as short as possible. Have a list and focus on one or two things. Don’t just browse around looking for anything.
3) Try to do it at a time when your kids are reasonably calm and rested, even if it isn’t your favorite time.
4) Make sure that ice cream is available afterwards as a reward for good behavior (either you can buy it at the mall or you can have some at home).

If you’re shopping for your kids, do take them with you and just follow the advice above.

Things you may want to try if your kids are out of the toddler stage:

Ask for their opinions. 
They help you find the x color of y you hope to try on (or not).
Keep them busy in the dressing room by trying on clothes for themselves (yes I have two that LOVE to try on outfits just like Mommy). 
Ask them to find you an outfit.  They pull a few pieces together and you are set (yeah this gets interesting but why not exploit their innocence on color or fashion rules?  Maybe something good would could out of it.  If anything at least play along for an outfit or two).

Not tried this but take your favorite fashion mag, have them cutout some of those outfits and glue to paper, and have them bring it on the trip to “find” them.  (works for groceries…)

If you are shopping for clothes for your kids, then you MUST take them with you. More importantly, take their opinions seriously. If they choose something you don’t like, you can say that you don’t like it, but be tactful, and remember that you’re not the one who has to wear it. If you choose something that your kids don’t like, don’t gush over how gorgeous it is, because then they’ll let you buy it (so you won’t feel bad) but they won’t wear it.

Of course, if what they choose is grossly inappropriate in some way, then they just have to accept that they cannot have it, but you should still be tactful about it. Remember that your kids’ taste does count.

I too feel it very difficult to shop with kids. I take my kid only for his shopping otherwise not. But some shopkeepers are good enough to have a separate play area for kids. We can leave them to play n finish our shopping in peace. It is always recommended to be accompanied with someone when we go for kid’s shopping.