Archive for the ‘Growing Child Thoughts’ Category

Make Matching Easy

Saturday, June 5th, 2010

Have you ever had your seven-year-old come out of his room wearing brown, green and beige camouflage shorts with a red and blue striped shirt? Many moms share the frustration that as a child gets older and more independent, they want to dress themselves. However, kids aren’t born with an instinct on how to match colors and patterns. This taught behaviour comes with time, patience and lots of trying again. As you explain to your child how to pair clothing, start simple and don’t rush. Avoid frustrating your child by limiting the choices in the beginning. If your child can distinguish colors, then they are ready for matching outfits.

Start by example. Avoiding crazy patterns and clashing hues when you pick out clothing will show them how to do the same. Teach them that similar colors go well together. Bring out a color wheel if you need to so they can have a visual to go by. Hang it on the closet door and let him pick a shirt and find the shirt’s color on the wheel. He can then choose the colors on both sides of the wheel to discover what color bottoms to wear. Next, explain that all colors of shirts match with jeans and certain colors such as black, white and gray go with basically any piece.

Then help your children reorganize their closets and drawers putting matching outfits together. Put both pieces on one hanger or on top of each other so he can grab it and get dressed on his own. Taking this step will help him grab a complete ensemble quickly without getting aggravated.

Using a dot system will eliminate frustration. Place a certain sticker on the tag of one pair of pants and a matching sticker on the tag of every shirt that goes with that pair of pants. Then your child can look at the tags to match his clothes. Doing this for each color of clothing will help your child be confident in his choices. Praise him for his wise choices and encourage him to try again when he makes a mistake.

Brand Names for Less Without Hassle

Tuesday, June 1st, 2010

If you think you can only find brand name clothes in designer stores or fashion malls think again. Growing Growing Gone carries over 150 different brands you know and love. Although some designers may be way over priced for most moms, many brand names are affordable, durable, and look great.

While lots of parents have joined the trend to shop for name brands on auction sites, you have to be careful. The price for a Gap blouse for your daughter might say $4. But before you add this bargain to your cart, you must realize that price doesn’t include shipping. Sometimes that fee can be more expensive than the actual item. If you are getting a deal on the item, and then the shipping costs are high, then you might as well buy it new from the store. Also, you have to trust that the item really is like what the seller describes. Normally people usually are very good about describing the condition of clothes. But you never know even if you receive photos.

Another way numerous moms try to score name brand outfits for their children is by scouring the outlet malls. Even though you can find discounted clothing, you’ll be lucky to find your child’s size. Also, most of the deepest clearance prices are only on the previous season’s clothing. So if you desperately need jeans for your daughter in the fall, you probably won’t find any at the huge discounts.

Besides being able to get exactly what you need no matter the season at Growing Growing Gone, you also save at least 30% off retail prices. Whether you shop in season or off season, you’ll save on the brand names you have come to trust. No more scouring the mall or paying more for shipping than you did for the piece of clothing. We offer Children’s Place, Ralph Lauren, Polo Club of NY, Tommy Hilfiger, Carters and Van Heusen just to name a few. To see all the brands we sell, click on the brand name search link at the top of the home page.

Growing and Growing but not Gone

Tuesday, May 18th, 2010

As your child gets older, things change. He no longer needs help getting dressed. She doesn’t hug you goodbye anymore when you drop her off for school. He’d rather go play with his friends then stack blocks. The days when she pretended to be a princess disappear.

Although children grow up and become more independent, they still need us. These needs develop into less immediate ones, but they are still important. Some things we teach our older children are even more vital than the lessons they learned as toddlers or preschoolers. In the early days, they went from crawling to walking, from talking to reading, from scribbling to writing sentences. With our guidance, they mastered these milestones fairly quickly. When our children begin school, they are taught by their teacher and peers. Sometimes these people become more influential than us. The moment a mother recognizes she’s not the main influence in her child’s life can be a very sad moment. However, moms must remember that their children became who they are because of their mother. Moms nurture, teach, love, direct, encourage, and mould from day one. Even though your time with your child lessens, your influence remains with your child even when he’s not with you. When your daughter shares her crayons with another student, it’s because you taught her sharing is kind. The time your son sticks up for another child in his class is because you helped him understand how to be compassionate. A child who tells the truth even when they receive a consequence has been instructed well by their mother about honesty.

Many of your child’s character traits came from you. Relish that fact and realize your job isn’t done yet. An older child still needs help learning how to become a teenager and then an adult. You are building a foundation. Each developmental goal transforms into another. So as you put away the baby clothes and begin to buy the “Big Boys” and “Big Girls” sizes on Growing Growing Gone, look forward to many more chances of instilling valuable characteristics in your child.

Pick Just the Right Size

Friday, May 14th, 2010

Because our children grow at a normal pace at some ages and then at lightning speed during other times, picking the right size can be extremely challenging. Most moms like to stay ahead of their kids’ growth spurts but wonder what size to purchase. Every mother has woken up one morning to find that none of her daughter’s shirts will fit over her head. It seems like she literally expanded overnight. Keeping up with your child’s size doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Going to the mall or department store every month is not a realistic expectation. However, shopping by yourself never happens either. So online shopping serves as the best alternative for your ever growing child.

When you shop on line and can’t touch and feel the item, choosing the right size appears hard. Growing Growing Gone understands this. Even though each brand name fits slightly different, our sizing chart can be used as a guideline.  When in doubt, go by the child’s weight and height instead of the actual age. When purchasing a gift, get a size larger to be safe. If the manufacturer has provided size guidelines on the merchandise tag, I have already included them in the product details screen under the sizing information tab. So be sure to read those carefully before you select the size on your order.

Clearance items that are out of season can be a great investment for your child’s future wardrobe. Frugal moms who stock-up for next season when they can get great deals should be sure to buy a size bigger. Typically, your child will wear the next size up one year from the current season. It’s better for clothing to fit a little large instead of being way too small. Keep in mind that cotton pajama sets fit very snug while cargo shorts tend to be loose.

If you ever have any questions about an item, please contact me at jennifer@growinggrowinggone.ca and I will be happy to provide you with any additional measurements you need (i.e. inseam, shoulder measurement, waist or chest measurement).

I Know…

Saturday, May 8th, 2010

just one mother’s thoughts…


I know I am not perfect, however….

I know how to kiss your boo boos to make them better.

I know how you like to be held when you need to snuggle.

I know the first time you felt happy and loved.

I know the first time you truly laughed and smiled.

I know that look you get on the face when you are trying your best.

I know the first time somebody hurt your feelings.

I know when you are sick, tired, determined, frustrated, proud … or lying.

I know you sometimes better then you know yourself.

I know that I am helping you to become the person you are meant to be.

I know I am doing a GREAT job because of who you are today.

Happy Mother’s Day

Jenn

Clothes Bring Back Memories

Friday, April 16th, 2010

Do you remember the moment you brought your child home from the hospital? You probably can recall this memory like it was yesterday, even if your child is way beyond the toddler years. Thinking back on that day reminds you of the feeling you had when you cradled your infant. More than likely, you also remember leaving the hospital in a wheelchair while everyone in the halls smiled at you and your newborn. You were such a proud mama. I can bet you even remember the outfit you dressed your baby in for his big trip home. Now when you see that outfit in your trunk, you are immediately brought back to that precious moment in time.

Clothing can be more than just material that we wear to cover our bodies. It stimulates thoughts, feelings and memories. One piece of clothes can trigger a special moment that reminds you of an unbelievable time in your life.

Your children’s clothes, especially, will inspire these memories. Because our kids grow so fast and go through so many clothes, certain pieces remind us of when our now 10-year-old was a one-year-old toddling around in his little overalls. Your eight-year-old daughter may not allow you to dress her up in the frilly frocks anymore, but when you see one of her old dresses in the closet, you can think back to that special Easter when she looked adorable. Those moms who have two-year-olds remember their child’s first step or first word when they see the outfit the kid was wearing at that moment.

Since our children’s wardrobe can be so sentimental, don’t hastily disregard every piece your child has outgrown. Hang on to the christening gown, Easter suit, Christmas pyjamas or whatever is meaningful to you. Designate a trunk, box or plastic container for these items. If you have more than one child, you might want to have a box for each kid. For pieces that are delicate or lightly coloured, wrap in plastic or in a garment bag to prevent yellowing.

Then when you purchase new clothing on Growing Growing Gone, you’ll be setting the stage for new memories as your child embarks on unknown adventures this year.

Parent Entrepreneur Month – May 2010

Thursday, April 15th, 2010

Pencil ArtFor the entire month of May, Growing Growing Gone is opening up its blog to friends and family to promote other websites or discuss whatever is on your mind.

Are you a fellow parent entrepreneur who would like to tell everybody about their business?  Do you have a wonderful website or product recommendation that you would like to share with fellow parents or do you simply want to blog about a topic that is interesting to you or an issue that is bothering you.

For the entire month of May 2010, I will be posting your submissions.  Please e-mail all writeups, with any photos or links you wish to attach to gggsales@growinggrowinggone.ca.   Please spell check your writeup before it is sent.  All articles will include the author’s first name unless requested.  Multiple articles are welcome.

Keep Up with your Growing Child

Wednesday, January 6th, 2010

By  Elesha Jones (a Growing Growing Gone Mom)

Children seem to change clothing sizes while they are asleep. You give birth to this little, tiny baby who swims in the newborn sizes and then before you know it, they are wearing 12 months, then 24 months and then they are in toddler land. My son’s 4T jeans fit just fine one day, and then they were an inch too short the next day. He grew taller before I could even blink. Cooler weather was upon us and I couldn’t send my son to school in shorts. He’d freeze, and then what kind of mother would I be? But I didn’t have time to go to the store between being taxi driver, cook, housekeeper, tutor, nanny and all the other hats I wear. Besides, I needed a particular type of jean, not just the first thing I could pull off the rack. My son is very thin so I have to purchase adjustable waist jeans to make sure they don’t fall off his small frame.

 Luckily, I was able to go to www.kidsclothing.ca at 11 p.m. and get exactly what I was looking for. There were jeans from GAP, Old Navy, Children’s Place, Osh Kosh and more, and my purchase shipped to me within 48 hours of my order. Since my son has grown too tall for the toddler sizes, I was confused about the difference between the 4T and size 4 pants. Thanks to the sizing chart at Growing Growing Gone, I was able to understand the height and weight that each size is recommended for and pick the perfect jean for my son. I didn’t have to worry any longer about him sitting down at school and showing three inches of his leg. After all, we all know how children can be teased by their peers and that’s the last thing I wanted for my little guy.

Children's Place Size 4 Jeans