A Friendly Shopper’s Guide to Navigating the Mall with Your Tween

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As the school year rolls around, it’s time to stock up on binders, pens, and notebooks for your tweens. But don’t forget one crucial item on your list: back-to-school clothing! Gather those unused gift cards and brace yourself for the shopping spree, because your kids are going to need a fresh wardrobe now that fall is in full swing.

This likely means you’ll be spending quite a bit of time at the mall soon. And let me tell you, shopping with your tween is a whole different ballgame than going solo to snag a new pair of yoga pants. Gone are the days of a peaceful shopping experience; now you’re headed into a whirlwind of stores where you’ll search for reasonably priced outfits that cover all the essentials—and that your kid will actually want to wear!

You’ll find yourself in vibrant stores that feel like a sensory overload or in chic, dimly lit boutiques that make you feel a bit out of touch if you’ve ever shopped at J.C. Penney or Sears. Most importantly, prepare to engage with a young person who would rather keep their earbuds in than have a heartfelt chat with you. So, for every parent out there who could use a bit of guidance for this adventure, here’s a fun little quiz to get you in the right mindset.

Quiz: How to Navigate the Mall with Your Tween

1. Before heading out, you:
   • a. Tell your tween that shopping is meant to be fun, so let’s leave the eye rolls and silent treatments at home for a great bonding experience!
   • b. Remind them that we’re going to the mall for clothes—not snacks at Auntie Anne’s or Dippin’ Dots.
   • c. Insist your tween pick up the clothes scattered around her room, only to find out she has everything she needs already.
   • d. Say nothing.

   Correct answer: d. As a seasoned parent, you know that sometimes, silence is golden. (But if you’re feeling bold, b might be the way to go.)

2. Once you arrive at the store, you:
   • a. Follow your tween around, even when she tries to lose you.
   • b. Go in with her but find a cozy spot to check social media while pretending not to notice her eyeing the pricier items.
   • c. Wait outside, only getting up for a pretzel from Auntie Anne’s.
   • d. Start biting your nails.

   Correct answer: Trick question! None of these are ideal. Your tween is likely already acting like she’s on her own, no offense to you, Mom. If the day has been long, then c may just be your best bet!

3. When your tween wants to try on some clothes, you:
   • a. Slip into the dressing room with her before she can close the door.
   • b. Wait outside the dressing room, but close enough to ask how it fits.
   • c. Channel your inner 80s mom and loudly remind her about fit.
   • d. Resume biting your nails, secretly hoping the items won’t fit.

   Correct answer: None of the above! Your tween definitely doesn’t want you near the dressing room. Remember, you’re not in the know anymore!

4. When she finds something she likes, you:
   • a. Agree with her on how great it is if you want her to skip it.
   • b. Pretend to dislike it to spark her interest.
   • c. Critique the quality of the item, leading to her saying you ruin everything.
   • d. Say nothing and just hand over the credit card.

   Correct answer: d. But make sure to remind her that you can only spend enough for three shirts and two pairs of pants, leaving her to reconsider that trendy $80 item that will likely be out of style in no time. This will often lead to her putting it back while mumbling.

After a successful shopping trip—while you feel triumphant, your tween is still sulking over the missed trendy item—you’re ready for the drive home. Prepare yourself for 20 minutes of silence, punctuated by the occasional glare at every red light. But don’t feel too bad; before you know it, your tween will need new shoes, and by then, you’ll be a pro at this. Here’s a final tip: volunteer your partner for the next shopping duty!

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Summary

Shopping with your tween can be a whirlwind experience, filled with twists and turns that make it far different from solo trips to the mall. This guide offers a light-hearted approach to navigating the challenges of picking clothes, from avoiding eye rolls to dealing with the inevitable fads. Remember, it’s all part of the parenting journey!