by Bridget Webber

Created on: March 31, 2009   Last Updated: March 18, 2012

Shopping with your preteen girl can be a healthy bonding experience, allowing you to spend time together engaging in an activity which, hopefully, you both enjoy. You'll be aware your daughter's growing up fast, but that she's not quite shaken off her childhood altogether yet. You may be concerned your shopping experience together could provide you with difficulties. However, it need not, if you prepare by considering the following tips.

Remain pen-minded, but strong.

Young girls are under pressure from outside influences to dress and behave in a certain manner. This is nothing to be afraid of, rather it is something to be aware of, as it may affect your preteen girl's decision making. Both her peers and the current fashion trends directed at her age group, and above, will be on her mind as she decides what she really wants to buy.

At times what she desires to purchase will be appropriate. At other times it may turn your head and make you exasperated. Before you go shopping have a general idea about what you deem to be appropriate clothing for her. Your ideas should not be set in stone. You may find there's far more choice in shops than you could have imagined. But be prepared to not behave in a shocked manner when she clutches a pair of extremely low rise jeans or a tee shirt resembling little more than a bra, and states emphatically that she wants it.

If you're matter of fact about what you have to say, without adding drama to the situation, she's more likely to gracefully accept your response, even when in the negative, than she will be if you turn the affair into a fight between good and evil.

A great way to keep the peace, and come across as being reasonable, is to compromise. There will be occasions when compromise isn't appropriate. However there will also be times when you can tell your preteen girl she can't have one item but that she can have another which is slightly more grown up and sophisticated.

Budget

Have a set budget to work with that your preteen girl is aware of. This will help to teach her about spending wisely and about how far money will or will not stretch. Try not to give in to demands to raise the monetary stakes, or a valuable lesson on economy will be lost and you will appear to provide shaky boundaries.

Time

Be sure to give yourselves plenty of time to allow for traffic jams on the way to your designated shopping area, and to find a parking spot, and for unforeseen scenarios which could leave you taking longer than expected. This way neither of you need become stressed or have to rush through what should be an enjoyable experience.

Share the experience

Be her role model and indulge in shopping for yourself at the same time as shopping for her. Letting her witness how you make decisions and spend money wisely will provide her with insight she can use. It will also give you a chance to indulge in treating yourself too.

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