I have a 10 yr. old that recently started to ask for name brand shoes/clothes? Should I promote his request?

Question

And if I do, will this affect him in the future or should I just buy him what I'm used to buying, less cheaper clothes?

Answer 1

If you can't afford a brand-name wardrobe every time he outgrows his clothes, don't go name-brand too often. The suggestion to get name-brand shoes is a good one--they will be worn with almost any outfit, so it's a lot better than getting a shirt.

Also, focus on style-building, rather than style-copying. If everyone else has something, that is a perfect reason to not get it. He should be looking for something that sets himself apart from the crowd--and something better than what everyone else is wearing is often cheaper too.

Try putting it like this--I have $xx to spend on your clothes this fall. You need shoes, a light jacket, and everything you are going to wear. Let's go shopping and we'll see what we can spend it on. If he sees that he can either have three shirts at $40 each or eight shirts at $15 each, he probably won't choose to wear the same 'cool' thing to school every day. If he wears baseball hats or similar accessories, it is a great way to get the cool label on something that can be worn more often (kinda like the shoes).

Answer 2

Find out why name brand clothes are important to him all of a sudden. Make sure he knows that his value is not in his outward appearance. When you go shopping explain to him the value of each article of clothing that he would like to have. Example: this shirt is equal to 5 hours of working for me. Do you know how many weeks worth of allowance these shoes are? 10 year olds don't have a complete grasp of what money is worth. If he still wants name brand clothing try shopping 2nd hand stores for slightly used and much cheaper versions of the clothes he likes.

Answer 3

This is a stage alot of about to be teens go through. They see the older kids and maybe even some of the kids their age beginning to get brand name stuff and then they want to fit in too. My advice is that you might as well start now, because in a few years he's going to start asking anyways. But just to let you know, the brands do add up $$$. Do what you think is best tho, good luck :)

Answer 4

No offense to "ME", but the statement he made about "...starting to show their personality..." I think is totally off base. If they are trying to show their individuality, they shouldnt be worried about name brand expensive clothes. If they are worried about that, then they want to be part of a collective and fit in without any work and not be an individual. They would want to pick out their own clothes, but wouldnt have to be name brand stuff.
Every once in a while is alright. To cave and buy it just because he/she wants it is wrong. After all, did your parents buy YOU name brand things exclusively and did it help mould you into a better person? I dont think so and I dont think it would for your child either.

Answer 5

Donkey's would be flying before I would let a 10 year-old prod me into this.

At 10 years old he is ready to start learning the value of a dollar.

Have him do chores and his reward can be something nice. Maybe the grandparents can help with this little project.

There are all kinds of chores he can do. Takeout the trash, help with dishes, help fold laundry, dust, vaccuum. Obvously you shouldn't make him a slave but there is absolutely nothing wrong with making him earn the nicer things in life.

The day will come when he will thank you for making him be responsible and you will be extemely proud of the young man he turns out to be...

Answer 6

Just tell him that he can pick one/two brand name shoes or 4 non- brand name shoes. Then you will see how much the brand name means. Also take into account that kids that wear off brand stuff get teased and that is a pressure you might not want to make your son endure over a few dollars.

Answer 7

I know the feeling of being a failure as a parent if I can't give my kids name brand clothes or shoes. But they will get over it and I compromised, allowing 1 pair of brand name shoes and 1 brand name outfit for school. I buy them at discount stores and outlet malls.

Answer 8

How about a combo? Do what's right for your budget and then allow him to budget $40 or $50.

You'd want to make sure that he considers options other than just the name brand, so that he sees he can get 1 of the name brand or 3 of these other things.

His decision might surprise you, and in any case, he should appreciate it better. Good luck!

Answer 9

I buy mostly less expensive stuff for the kids, but every now and then I splurge and let them get something more expensive. Make sure you point out that this is a treat, not an every-day thing, and explain why (because of the cost.....a 10-year-old is old enough to understand).

Once my kids got into, say, high school, I made them buy their own. I still bought them the "normal" stuff (and paid for braces, and food, and the mortgage, and so on), but made them save their own money for the extravagent stuff. Worked well, they really learned the value of money, how to save, how to budget, etc.

Answer 10

Buy him one name brand thing every so often (Christmas, Birthday, Back to School), but for everything else, tell him no. There's absolutely no point of spending so much for something that he's going to outgrow SOON.

Tell him that he can buy more name brand things once he's old enough to get a job and has his own money.

Show him that you don't have name brand things, and if you can't afford it for YOU (who is no longer growing and doesn't play with other kids all day), you're certainly not going to for HIM.