to ask whether a child with few clothes is neglected?

[mosepray]

I’ve really been trying to cut down on the numbers of clothes we buy for a few years now and this has left my children (under 10) with 3-4 outfits each per season— obviously way more underwear. I’ve sewn them up smocks/overdresses/pinnies to wear if they’re playing. The expectation is that everything is worn twice and we do a wash once a week.

I remember my grandmother telling me about the flannel dress she wore every day but Sunday when she was 7/8 and it made me think that maybe we don’t need that many clothes.

My friend recently came round and we got onto the topic. She thinks that it’s neglectful to have so few clothes, because I can afford more so why not get more and leave the kids miserable. AIBU to think that’s silly?

You are not living in Victorian times or ww2.
Plenty of charity shop and carboots to be found.

Not neglected but don't you find you always running the washing machine?

I get your stance...but if you're buying fabric to sew smocks, then could you not upcycle second hand adults outfits into kids outfits? Or even get fabric in the sale or on vinted?!

My 10 year old loves handmade clothes from small businesses where she can choose the fabric. I've been googling how to upcycle adult dresses and jumpers to make t-shirts, and twirly skirts etc. So she can have the things she likes but on a budget.

I feel like if you're sewing stuff anyway and paying for fabric then surely it's better to spend that money on fabric to make things they'll actually like.

Sounds a bit mean, OP. What about accidents, spillages, puddles?? My son and partner have 2 small children now. They are not well off (nursery fees etc) but the children have plenty of clothes: Vinted, Ebay, Primark and clothes are passed round friends and relatives. And what about washing? I don’t know how you can possibly guarantee that a child will wear an outfit twice. It’s normal for a young child to wear maybe 3 tops in one day - porridge spilled at breakfast, milkshake accident at lunch etc etc.
your children could get peed off with your clothes rules in a couple of years.

I agree. And “sewing smocks”?? FFS!!

On re-reading this, I think OP could be taking the p*ss. It was the ‘sewing smocks’ which made me think it could be a wind up..

Second hand clothes are really reasonable, just get some more…!!

DC have about 5 outfits (mostly 2nd hand) and it's fine except for when we're on holiday when we run out. They're messy eaters and outdoorsy and need clean clothes every day. None of them really go together though, as have been given or bought ad-hoc, so they usually look a bit of a mess! While they're still staining clothes with food etc however I don't see the point in getting nicer stuff.

Unless you're struggling for money you can have plenty of children's clothes. I buy bags on Facebook marketplace for £10-£20 that have hardly been worn. Better than having to put a wash on every day or making smocks! A child wearing smocks will her biker mercilessly when they are a bit older

Will get bullied mercilessly*

I'm thinking a 9 yr old in a homemade smock might be embarrassed. But nit against the general idea of cutting back on clothes OP.

Oh, no, the smocks thread has resurfaced!

What do you mean? Genuine question. As I said in an earlier response, I suspect the OP is taking the p*ss.

As long as they always have clean, weather-appropriate clothes it's fine.

I hate how many clothes my kids have - heaps and heaps of them, almost none bought by DH and I. I wish people would stop gifting them, but 🤷

What do you mean by asking what I mean? It's a thread from April that I remember rolling my eyes at, thinking it must be a pisstake, and someone has bumped it for a whole new load of posters to be incredulous at homemade smocks on 9 year olds.

My kids have more than that but they only really wear the same 3-4 outfits over and over! Eldest has his faves and I have mine for the toddler who doesn't care

I also only have 3 pairs of trousers, a pair of dungarees, and 4-5 t shirts that I wear, same with DH.

It was a genuine question!! I hadn’t noticed the thread was from April.

I don't think it's neglectful but I think 3 to 4 outfits is a bit low. I think maybe 5 or 6 at least might be more reasonable as a sort of capsule wardrobe.

I can't get past the smocks