This is my new favorite picture of my kids. First of all, aren’t they adorable?
Second, I think it’s a great reminder about how simple and inexpensive it can be to make great memories as a family.
It is easy to get caught up in the idea that we have to give our kids the best stuff in order for them to have the best life, but I think their faces in this picture say it all.
(Actually, those labels should say “Nana & Gramps.” Sorry Gramps!)
Literally, the shoes on their feet are the only thing I spent any money on at all. Less than $10 for a whole year’s worth of fun. (Actually longer, because Nick’s boots will get handed down to Abby. Who cares if she wears blue boots? Not me.)
I guarantee my kids don’t care. They had the times on their lives wearing hand-me-down clothes on a hand-me-down sled in a public park.
So here’s my million dollar mom tip of the day: Graciously accept hand-me-downs & gifts. Then be sure to pay it forward & hand your stuff down to other families who can use it. But I’m sure you already knew that.
Here’s a HUGE shout-out to those of you who have gifted us with clothes & toys, new and used alike. Thank you, again, from the bottom of our hearts.
What about you? Do you participate in any clothing or toy exchanges with friends? Do you swap babysitting services? How else do you save money and make great memories?
I am so loving the idea of free hand-me-downs lately! i’m hosting a mom clothing swap this weekend! Bring a bag of clothes to get in… and then you can browse and take whatever clothes you want for free 🙂 I think all moms should do this! I’m all for a good thrift store find, but kids grow too fast to pay multiple times for the same piece of clothing!
this is a very good perspective to have! i too am all for raising kids the old-fashioned way, encouraging outdoor play and using their imagination. I hope that I can raise my children like that in this world that worships video games and cell phones.
Love this post! And yes, they are adorable. The vast majority of my boys’ wardrobes are hand-me-downs or consignment…new stuff comes from grandparents. I am blessed that people share their stuff with me and I love that I don’t spend a ton of money on clothes they’ll grow out of in 5 minutes!
i don’t have any kids, but I do this with my cousin…we swap clothes all the time! We have a 3 year age difference, and i give her some clothes that just don’t fit, or i haven’t worn in a while…and i’ll go in her closet and swap it out. THere are times where, 3 years down the line, i see something in her closet that used to belong to me…and all of the sudden, i love it again. It’s a nice way to recycle clothes in the family! 😉