Stages of Back-to-School Shopping With Kids

1 You Realise the Relaxed Nature of Summer Is Almost Over

Image Source: Hulu

You look at calendar and realise, sh*t, Summer is coming to an end. Where did the last three months go?! And does this mean you have to start wearing makeup and real clothes again?

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2 Your Kids' Summer Wardrobes Are Looking Gnarly

Image Source: HBO

Your Summer outfits might be questionable fashion-wise, but you take a look at your kids and notice they've been wearing the same two pairs of shorts, swimsuit, and three t-shirts all season long, and they are all looking worse for wear.

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3 You Accept The Fact a Shopping Trip Has to Happen

Image Source: ABC

It's decided. You're going to have to take your children to an actual store to shop. You let the reality wash over you, knowing that it's not going to be easy, and it's not going to be fun.

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4 You Realise Just How Much Stuff They Need

Image Source: CBS

You make a list of everything your kids need — backpacks, school supplies, shoes, clothes — and are terrified by how long it is.

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5 You Make a Plan and Pep Yourself Up

Image Source: NBC

You attempt to plan the quickest, most effective, cheapest route to getting everything you need (three stores max), and give yourself a pep talk. You got this, mama.

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6 A Stranger Tells You Your Kid's Current Shoes Are Two Sizes Too Small

Image Source: HBO

You finally get a salesperson to help you. She measures your kids' feet and informs you that they've been wearing shoes two sizes too small all Summer.

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7 You Finally Make Some Decisions

Image Source: Fox

An hour and endless whining later, you force your reluctant shopper to pick one outfit and your shopping enthusiast to pare it down to two. At least they'll both have something to wear on the first day of school.

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8 Your Kids Spot the Toy Section

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Your kids hate every backpack at the next store, too, but they have found three toys and a video game they say they desperately need. You pull them away from the toy section and head to another store to get back on track.

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9 You're Too Tired to Care About Prices

Image Source: Fox

You finally find backpacks that your kids deem acceptable. You decide you don't care that they're $60 each. You've had all you can take, and you'll pay anything to end this experience as quickly as possible.

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10 You Agree to Ice Cream, as Long as It's Someplace You Can Also Get Wine

Image Source: NBC

Your kids remind you about that ice cream promise. You search for restaurants that serve both ice cream and wine.

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11 You Vow Never Again

Image Source: Walt Disney Studios

You finally head home, promising yourself you'll do all of next year's back-to-school shopping online. Who cares if your kids' shoes fit perfectly?

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