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are things that should be sturdy enough and "cool" enough to follow your child all the way through elementary school. Therefore, I feel it is much better to buy a sturdy backpack in your child's favorite colors instead of the cool character. Because the "cool" character can change every year. Your child's favorite colors most likely will stay the same. The lunch box should be bought with that same idea in mind. A thermos may or may not come with the lunchbox, but if it doesn't - don't skimp on that either. There are many good thermoses' you can find at Target, Wal-Mart and more, that don't cost an arm and a leg.

Now we come to the clothes. For parents of girls, this can be the most expensive time of the year for you. For boys, the hardest time. Girls' clothes are really spectacular, though some leave little to the imagination, even for six and seven year olds. Pretty sad, but true. Boys are just difficult to get into the dressing room to try on the clothes to make sure they fit. My first word of advice is go to outlet stores and the clearance racks. Sure, they may be last season's styles, but how many of your outfits do you remember from first grade? Even second hand, gently used stores are going to be able to supply your little one with nicer clothes at a nicer price. Especially for girls. The name brands and the styles. Learn to sew and adjust some clothes to fit the styles of today. But, don't take it too far.

I have seen stores that sell Paris Hilton type clothing for six year old girls. Low ride jeans, short, short skirts, halter tops and more. YUCK! How is your precious little girl going to play on monkey bars and jump rope wearing little to no clothing? Please be kind to your child and get them things that are nice and at the same time suitable for school. The rule of thumb, especially if you'll be handing these clothes down to a little sister, brother, niece or nephew, is basic. Get three or four basic, one color t-shirts. Buy two to three pairs of pants to go with those shirts and maybe a skirt or dress that can be worn over that shirt.

It's always good to buy one nice outfit for recitals, assemblies they might be in and school pictures. Stick with tennis shoes and running shoes since they'll be at recess most everyday. Get enough socks and panties and underwear that will last for a whole seven days. That way if you fall ill and can't do the laundry, they will have enough clothing for under their clothes to last the week. In addition to these, buy some

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