Little guidance for a first time kindergarten mom?

So, I have no idea what I'm doing and I don't want my kid to start off his school career being the dorky, unstylish kid because mom is clueless.

What kind of back packs and lunch boxes do boys use?
Where do you do back to school shopping? How do you know what's in style?

I realize I should be focused on his reading list rather than this but you only get one chance to make a first impression!

Re: Little guidance for a first time kindergarten mom?

Don't stress. They are ALL so tiny and clueless in Kindergarten that NOBODY is worrying about who has what backpack and what they are wearing. Trust me.

For my DD, I let her pick out her first backpack with matching lunchbox at the Disney store, I bought all of her supplies at Target (she picked out her own folder), and I got all of her clothes at Children's Place. She loved everything, fit right in, and had a great year!!

Take a breath and don't drive yourself crazy..............your DS will be just fine no matter what supplies he has or what he's wearing. He's going to have a great first day and a great year!!!

Re: Little guidance for a first time kindergarten mom?

Yes, at that age, let them pick their character backpack and lunch box.
As for back to school shopping for clothes, I never did it. Last year she started school the first week of Sept and it was, no joke, 90 degrees every day for like 2 weeks.
The school has no AC either.
She was in her clothes from the summer and coming home sweating and red faced every.single.day.

I always laugh at the "back to school" clothes they push on you in July. I am like- in what country is it jeans and sweater weather in early Sept? Certainly not here.

I buy her fall things slowly over time as I see them- never in one "back to school" shopping spree.
I usually go to the outlets in Oct and get some stuff too

Little guidance for a first time kindergarten mom?

Ditto above - we left DS pick out his own backpack (although I've come to loathe the character backpacks b/c they shred halfway through the year since stuff gets spilled all the time). DS has food allergies so we have to pack his lunch everyday so he doesn't have a character lunchbox. We bought planetbox and Yumbox. We bought the bag for the planetbox and we use it for the Yumbox, too.

We're not a particularly stylish family so DS usually just goes to school in shorts (plain colors, plaid, or athletic) and t-shirts. He's excited to wear his Pokemon tshirt on the first day so other kids know he's into Pokemon Go and they'll have something to talk about. :)

Little guidance for a first time kindergarten mom?

My second is starting kindergarten this year and I was all set to get her a Pottery Barn back pack and lunch box because her brother's held up so well last year in 2nd grade. But, then she saw a Little Mermaid set from Disney store and loved it. So much for my plans lol

As for clothes, I never really did "back to school" shopping. You will see kids dressed in everything from cargos and button downs to sweatpants every day. Let him wear whatever is comfortable and EASY for him to go to the bathroom in. That is key! My son is going into 3rd grade and I still shy away from buttons and zippers on his pants.

Supplies I usually get at Target or Walmart.

Re: Little guidance for a first time kindergarten mom?

Thank you!

I wasn't sure if PB was the way to go with back packs or if I should do a character thing or if that was too babyish. I feel pretty clueless. My co-worker was just saying she bought her son a paw patrol back pack but I was thinking that's more pre-k age but I really don't know.

My son has a ton of clothes so I don't think I'll be doing much shopping per se, but I didn't know if I would need some things like those tall under armour socks or something. Or any particular type of sneakers.

Re: Little guidance for a first time kindergarten mom?

Message edited 8/4/2016 2:11:57 PM.

Re: Little guidance for a first time kindergarten mom?

I know you're joking, but can I tell you how upsetting it is to me that someone--for real--would judge a kindergartener (a baby!) for being "dorky or unstylish?!" Kids have their WHOLE lives to stress about this shit, kindergarten is NOT the time to start.

My boy is 5 and just finished K. He still loves Paw Patrol and damn it, if he wants a Paw Patrol backpack going into 1st, then a Paw Patrol backpack he shall have! I can tell you this, *I* have never noticed another kid's accessories and if another kid commented on my kid's choices, that's just a life lesson for him on all the jerks in the world.

As for the other questions, we shop for supplies at Target and he wears a uniform (thank God, evidently ) so doesn't need clothes.

Re: Little guidance for a first time kindergarten mom?

I have 2 boys - one going into 2nd, and the other into K ......
I didn't do the character backpacks b/c I ordered them from lands end - I let them pick the backpack, and then added their initials and a hockey thing for my older son, and a baseball one for the little one.

DO NOT stress over clothes. They are still babies - In my house, they wear what I tell them too .........I want them to be comfortable and happy and feel good about what they're wearing so I never buy or force them to wear something they really hate .......but I'm also not buying you a full Nike/Under Armour/Jordan etc wardrobe

My older one JUST started getting picky about particular styles (not labels yet) at the end of last year - he wanted the tall stupid lacrosse socks/shorts look .......
and he got into 'high tops' ......but again, not a particular label, so I can sway him from the $150 - or simply TELL him, I'm not spending $150 on a pair of sneakers for a 7 year old, pick another pair.

The little one is particular about style, but not label -

They know what they like - K is NOT the time to stress over it. I knid of waited for him to tell me

Re: Little guidance for a first time kindergarten mom?

Posted by Eireann

I know you're joking, but can I tell you how upsetting it is to me that someone--for real--would judge a kindergartener (a baby!) for being "dorky or unstylish?!" Kids have their WHOLE lives to stress about this shit, kindergarten is NOT the time to start.

My boy is 5 and just finished K. He still loves Paw Patrol and damn it, if he wants a Paw Patrol backpack going into 1st, then a Paw Patrol backpack he shall have! I can tell you this, *I* have never noticed another kid's accessories and if another kid commented on my kid's choices, that's just a life lesson for him on all the jerks in the world.

As for the other questions, we shop for supplies at Target and he wears a uniform (thank God, evidently ) so doesn't need clothes.

Re: Little guidance for a first time kindergarten mom?

Posted by Eireann

I know you're joking, but can I tell you how upsetting it is to me that someone--for real--would judge a kindergartener (a baby!) for being "dorky or unstylish?!" Kids have their WHOLE lives to stress about this shit, kindergarten is NOT the time to start.

My boy is 5 and just finished K. He still loves Paw Patrol and damn it, if he wants a Paw Patrol backpack going into 1st, then a Paw Patrol backpack he shall have! I can tell you this, *I* have never noticed another kid's accessories and if another kid commented on my kid's choices, that's just a life lesson for him on all the jerks in the world.

As for the other questions, we shop for supplies at Target and he wears a uniform (thank God, evidently ) so doesn't need clothes.

Little guidance for a first time kindergarten mom?

I taught 1st grade this year, and all of my students had character backpacks and lunch boxes. Super heroes and Star Wars were popular with them this year. As others have said, no one is noticing their clothes at this age. Definitely go with something comfortable that you wouldn't be devastated if they got messy (class craft projects, lunch, etc) and like someone mentioned, easy enough for them to go to the bathroom in independently. Unless I have another adult in the room to watch me, I'm not allowed to help with buttons/zippers/snaps on pants.

Make sure his backpack is big enough to fit his books and folders into. I remember being devastated in Kindergarten when my teacher told my mom a few days into the year that I needed a new backpack because the folder didn't fit, haha

Re: Little guidance for a first time kindergarten mom?

Posted by FirstMate

Posted by Eireann

I know you're joking, but can I tell you how upsetting it is to me that someone--for real--would judge a kindergartener (a baby!) for being "dorky or unstylish?!" Kids have their WHOLE lives to stress about this shit, kindergarten is NOT the time to start.

My boy is 5 and just finished K. He still loves Paw Patrol and damn it, if he wants a Paw Patrol backpack going into 1st, then a Paw Patrol backpack he shall have! I can tell you this, *I* have never noticed another kid's accessories and if another kid commented on my kid's choices, that's just a life lesson for him on all the jerks in the world.

As for the other questions, we shop for supplies at Target and he wears a uniform (thank God, evidently ) so doesn't need clothes.

No, I hear what you are saying. It is definitely silly and petty. Because he is my first, I think that I tend to baby him and do babyish things to him. He still has a comb-over hair cut. LOL When I see him with his friends that have older siblings, you can tell they are more savvy and mature. I just want him to fit in, in an age appropriate way of course. I also didn't want to be spending money on school supplies to have him come home and tell me something is too babyish and he doesn't want to use it so I have to go out and buy all new stuff either. I just wanted to get an idea of what the other boys were doing at this age.

Little guidance for a first time kindergarten mom?

DS just finished K and had a Star Wars backpack. I ordered him a new one for first grade from Under Armour on E-bags (I got a good deal and I wanted to get one that held up a little better so I let him choose between that, LL Bean or PBKids).

As for clothes - he wore the same types of clothes he was wearing in pre-k. His style can be best defined as comfortable. He likes to dress comfortably so he wears mainly athletic pants and short or long sleeved ts. Some characters, others Nike/Adidas/Under Armour that I got for cheap at Century 21 or Kohls.

One thing I did notice in school though was that some kids wore shorts well into the winter. That was the only fight I really had with DS about clothing.

Little guidance for a first time kindergarten mom?

And for kindergarten at least for my DD she didn't need many supplies, crayons, pencil box, scissors, glue stick. A lot of teh stuff was provided. They did need to bring in tissue boxes, paper towels, plastic sandwich h bags. So DD didn't have to carry all that stuff i brought it in on orientation

Little guidance for a first time kindergarten mom?

Congratulations!! Such a special time coming for your ds and for you!!

My boys were into character backpacks and lunch boxes at that age. I let them chose their own with only a little input by me.

I'd suggest a backpack that has two compartments so that lunch box fits in one, school books in the other. And, as above, don't get a teeny tiny pre-k backpack...too small.

My kids start school wearing summer clothes, I don't do much shopping until it starts getting cooler.

Stretchy/elastic waist bottoms are good...no worries about buttons or zippers. Velcro sneakers worked well for us, none of my kids mastered typing laces at that age.

I'd wait for him to ask for the expensive sneakers, socks, etc. and then proceed as you see fit. My oldest loves elite socks but they are expensive!!

Our district has each grade supply list on their website...

Message edited 8/5/2016 3:12:27 PM.

Re: Little guidance for a first time kindergarten mom?

Re: Little guidance for a first time kindergarten mom?

Message edited 8/9/2016 8:07:40 AM.

Re: Little guidance for a first time kindergarten mom?

Posted by Hofstra26

Posted by NervousNell

Posted by FirstMate

Thank you!

I wasn't sure if PB was the way to go with back packs or if I should do a character thing or if that was too babyish. I feel pretty clueless. My co-worker was just saying she bought her son a paw patrol back pack but I was thinking that's more pre-k age but I really don't know.

My son has a ton of clothes so I don't think I'll be doing much shopping per se, but I didn't know if I would need some things like those tall under armour socks or something. Or any particular type of sneakers.

I hate to say it but in Kindergarten they ARE babies. That is why they like "babyish" stuff like paw patrol back packs.
They have plenty of time to worry about being judged and judging others for things like clothes and backpacks. Don't rush it.
Dd is going into first and doesn't care about what's in fashion or style...just what she likes. Barbie, shopkins, my little pony. She has tni interested in those PB backpacks thank God. They are pricey and her my little pony backpack from target lasted all year.

FYI..............in case you ever want the PB backpack throughout the year (especially towards the end of the school year) they will put them on sale and they have some CRAZY deals on their outgoing patterns. This past May I scored my DD the large backpack AND the matching lunchbox with FREE shipping and I spent a grand total of about $22 for both!!!

Once my DD was in 2nd grade she was over the cutesy cartoon backpacks, she wanted something with more room and in her word, "lots of storage pockets". lol The PB ones are great and even better if you get them for a steal!

Just wanted to share in case you ever wanted one. NEVER pay full price, they run sales frequently on them and if you're not picky about the pattern you can make out great!

Re: Little guidance for a first time kindergarten mom?

Posted by NervousNell

Posted by Hofstra26

Posted by NervousNell

Posted by FirstMate

Thank you!

I wasn't sure if PB was the way to go with back packs or if I should do a character thing or if that was too babyish. I feel pretty clueless. My co-worker was just saying she bought her son a paw patrol back pack but I was thinking that's more pre-k age but I really don't know.

My son has a ton of clothes so I don't think I'll be doing much shopping per se, but I didn't know if I would need some things like those tall under armour socks or something. Or any particular type of sneakers.

I hate to say it but in Kindergarten they ARE babies. That is why they like "babyish" stuff like paw patrol back packs.
They have plenty of time to worry about being judged and judging others for things like clothes and backpacks. Don't rush it.
Dd is going into first and doesn't care about what's in fashion or style...just what she likes. Barbie, shopkins, my little pony. She has tni interested in those PB backpacks thank God. They are pricey and her my little pony backpack from target lasted all year.

FYI..............in case you ever want the PB backpack throughout the year (especially towards the end of the school year) they will put them on sale and they have some CRAZY deals on their outgoing patterns. This past May I scored my DD the large backpack AND the matching lunchbox with FREE shipping and I spent a grand total of about $22 for both!!!

Once my DD was in 2nd grade she was over the cutesy cartoon backpacks, she wanted something with more room and in her word, "lots of storage pockets". lol The PB ones are great and even better if you get them for a steal!

Just wanted to share in case you ever wanted one. NEVER pay full price, they run sales frequently on them and if you're not picky about the pattern you can make out great!

That's good to know, thanks.
For now, DD wants nothing to do with a "boring backpack" as she puts it.
Maybe by 2nd grade. Good to konw that if she ever does I don't have to pay full price to the rip off king, Pottery Barn. (i loathe that place!)
LOL

Little guidance for a first time kindergarten mom?

my DS is starting K in a couple weeks, too. he's my only kid and i've been home with him for 4 years--- so he's my BABY!!!! LOL so i'm worried about the same things- him fitting in, having a good year, getting along with the other kids, etc.
i let him pick out his backpack from Target. he's really into the star wars characters, so he picked out one with a BB-8 backpack. my mom got him the matching lunchbag. i saw his supply list online, and there wasn't really much on there for kindergaten-- a binder, a folder, and i got him some pencils and erasers. for the binder, i didn't give him a choice- i just got him a solid green one. He saw a folder with baby sea lions on it and wanted that- so i got it for him. that might be considered "babyish" or "girly".. but you know what?!? he's still a baby!!! and if the cute little sea lions on the folder caught his eye, whatever!
as far as clothes- i haven't gotten him much, since it'll still be warm for a little while when he starts. he has a lot of stuff from carters and target. pull-on cargo shorts/pants or athletic shorts/pants and t-shirts. i admit that i don't buy him a ton of t-shirts that have characters on them (except to go to Disney! LOL ) ... but more the graphic tees from carters or target with different sayings on them, or pictures....
your DS will be FINE!!!! don't stress to much!!! ( although i say this as i'm COMPLETELY FREAKING out myself about "loosing" my baby!!!! LOL )

Message edited 8/9/2016 10:48:09 AM.

Little guidance for a first time kindergarten mom?

Let him pick out his backpack and lunch box. Anything goes at that age. Also a couple of folders he likes. Our school lets the kids use "fancy" folders for homework.

I do PTA and work the first week of school helping the kindergarteners get to and from class, in the lunch room etc. and I have to say they all love it. Kids are so more mature now than they were a few years back that they have a blast. Just one lunch tip - if you are packing anything in a thermos or sending in a juice pack of water bottle, practice with them at home on how to open them. While there is help in the lunch rooms, alot of kids bring in these items that they have no clue how to open and it cuts into their eating time waiting for someone to come help. Good luck!!

Re: Little guidance for a first time kindergarten mom?

As a mom with a kid leaving K...
Most kids did not have a character backpack. Lots had plain backpacks. Some (1-3) had Star Wars/superhero. Lunch boxes did have characters.
Clothes for boys were mostly sports wear even for picture day. Our DS does not have much sportswear... But he wore T shirts and pants (but people did comment that he was "nicely dressed").
Girls were not into characters at all (more rainbows & designs) in DS class.

A mom did ask me this for a DS who loved Dora. I advised against that. I'm all about expression, but my kid now talks about boy stuff vs girl stuff...

Re: Little guidance for a first time kindergarten mom?