Conference moira::parenting

    IMO I would go for more junior type clothes than kids size 14.
    My niece is 11 and she is developed for her age and kids size 14 just
    don't fit properly...the crotches are too short...not enough tapering
    in blouses, etc...also I know that they way my niece thinks she would
    not be caught dead wearing *Kids* clothes...that is a very sensitive
    age and the kid is already in a tough spot to begin with.  She probably
    wants very much to fit in with everybody else.  Buy her junior size 5,
    and be sure to get her a pair of jeans....essential to the wardrobe.
    
    ~Linda~

    Suggestions from this end... Calverts, just up the street from the
    site.  (An exit off of 495 north)  OR Raschel's in Westboro, they have
    up to girls size 14, good prices and "sophistocated" styles. 
    Unfortunately they are only open Friday night past 5pm.  I am heading
    that way this week, will let you know what I discover.
    
    Oh and don't forget the biggest of little things, hair bands, bows,
    barrets, bracelets, all in bright colors.
    
    Lyn

    I have a 14 year old niece who I buy clothes for as birthday presents 
    and Christmas presents.  Although she is small for her age and easily
    fit into kids size 14, she would be totally offended by an
    item marked kids size 14.  She GREATLY prefers something in a
    junior size 5 or 7.  Also, the junior styles tends to be more 
    fashionable for a young-teen girl than the kids sizes.  
    
    I believe that Calverts does sell junior size girls clothes, but not
    Raschelles.  

    Gift certificates are nice especially if you don't know what size she
    is.  Also, she can pick out clothes to her own taste.  Just a
    suggestion.

    The GC is a good idea, but what if the child doesn't have any way
    of getting to a store?  Not trying to "rain on your parade," just
    a thought.
    
    I got involved with this project, too.  Speaking from my experience
    as someone who could shop til she drops, I'd get the junior size
    5 or 7.  Kids' clothes are sized so weird!  The young miss next
    door, Katie, is going to be 13 in the fall; though she's petite,
    she's wearing tops in Ladies Small because she prefers the fit and
    the styles.  I've found that kids' clothes are also short in the
    crotch and under the arms.  That's why I went from a girls' size
    12 to a junior size 3 when I was only about 11.  I'm fairly big
    in the shoulders (not the bustline, unfortunately :-)), and I
    really needed the room.  
    
    Good luck, let us know what you decide!

My daughter is 12, and I have sympathy for you.  Unless forced, I would not
venture to buy her clothing. Most of these comments are my wife's, who does
the clothes shopping.  

For the specific question posed by .0, how about a sweat suit or a sweat suit
type thing.  When I say "sweat suit type thing," I mean something loose
fitting, two piece, with elastic in the waist and legs, so inseam isn't so
much a deal.  My daughter, who is 12, and about 5' and 90 lbs, and I'd say
an average build, wears a mixture of women's small, youth 14, and (misses?
junior?) 5-7.  

Jeans are the most practical type of school clothing, but unfortunately they
are also the most difficult to fit.  We never buy jeans without trying them
on.  The right size varies a lot, and sometime NO size fits properly.

My wife had a terrible time getting a dress for Lara's sixth grade
graduation.  There wasn't much, and what was there wasn't age appropriate
(looked either little girlish or womanish).

Clay 

    My daughter (18) suggests tights (the legging type things) and an
    oversize fashion t-shirt or sweater, with a hair ornament
    (scrunchie or clip) to match.  
    
    --bonnie

    BTW, if anyone still wants to sponsor a child, I just signed up with
    the Parker Street program and there are still several unsponsored
    children left.  It must be terrible to be a parent and not be able to 
    get your children the things they need for school.
    
    Although the items are due tomorrow, I was told I could bring them in 
    Monday (absolutely no later).  If anyone is interested, call Pat 
    Brown at DTN 223-7003.
    
    -Tracy
    

This note may be too late for this year's program ... but please consider
this next year ...

	our entire group sponsored a child.

Everyone kicked in $5.  We chose a 12-year old boy and "as a group" were
able to get:

	a nice canvas backpack
	tons of school supplies (Trapper Keeper, too)
	two pairs of slacks
	a sweater
	a rugby shirt
	sox, briefs, t-shirts

Kido's to our (CALS) EDCS team!!

So if you don't think you can afford to sponsor a child, consider doing
it as a "group" project.  It's very rewarding!

We also picked up a little card with a bear doing a somersault which just
said "hello", we added our "back to school" comments, and everyone signed it
individually.  (Jim and Juli contributed, too ... so you could also include
your family ... or your family could sponsor a child).

Just tore at my heart strings to think of the many kids today who will be
starting school without a "fresh start".

Please consider this next year ...

thanks!

Dottie

    Another strange question.   My daughter is 5 years old and will be
    starting kindergarten in the fall.  I need to buy her clothes and am
    wondering what the difference between the 6 and 6X are.  When she grows
    out of the size 6 is the next size up 6X or is there another size after
    6 that I should look out for.  Dumb question, I know, but I don't
    really see much difference between 6 and 6X except for how wide the
    clothes are.  My daughter is tall, so I'm not sure that there is much
    difference in length between the 6 and 6X. If the 6X size is not the
    correct size for her, what is the next size up that we can start
    getting her.   I also have a question about shoe sizes...  How far up
    do children size shoes go.  My daughter is wearing size 11 and 1/2 now
    and I'm not sure how the shoe sizes range. 
    
    Thanks for the info....
    
    Sarah
    

    Width is exactly the difference between 6 and 6X.  6X is for a
    chunkier kid.  Sometimes it will also be a bit longer than a 6 but
    smaller than a 7, but usually it's just the width.  
    
    Boys' clothing will generally be 6 slim and 6 regular. 
    
    I find it interesting that the "normal" for girls corresponds to
    the boys' slim, while "regular" for boys corresponds to "x"
    (presumably for extra) for girls, but I'm not sure what it means.
    
    --bonnie

...12,  12 1/2,  13, (13 1/2?), then size 1 Ladies'.

    
    
    I have a question......
    
    
    			why are the neck holes always too small on boys
    shirts?????

    Happens on girl's shirts, too.   I told my three-year-old Paige that a
    shirt she liked didn't fit because she had a large head, which she
    needed to fit her big brain because she's so smart.  Now if a shirt
    doesn't fit, she says, "Oh no, I have too many brains for this shirt!"
    
    
    -Tracy
    

    And does anyone know why the arms are so long on toddler's clothes?
    Who do they make this stuff for -- a six-foot-tall 3-year-old??

    
    
    	Or  :  Why is the elastic so tight around the ankles on the
    "balloon" type pants.  I end up cutting them out and putting in my own.

    
    
    or : why do they make pants for toddlers with no snaps in the crotch?
    you have to take their whole outfit off to change them! 
    
    

    on the same note......
    		
    		Why do they make overalls for toddlers with no snaps but
    with a zipper fly.  I'm sorry, my son('s) isn't quite big enough to use
    a fly yet.

    I prefer the toddlers pants without snaps.  My daughter's snaps
    frequently popped open when she slid down the stairs.
    
    L

    I didn't see this anywhere, so thought I would post it here:
    
    What size snow boots should I buy for my 15-month-old and
    my 4.5-year-old?  Should I go one size up, or two sizes up?
    They both just got shoes in late August/early September
    and will be ready for a size check almmost any time now.