Clothing Exchange

Clothes to Fit Your Budget When Nothing Fits Your Kids

By Julia Rosien

"Mom, It's snowing! My boots don't fit anymore!"

"Mom! My snow pants are too tight!"

"Mom, these pants don't fit me any more. I need new ones."

All-too-familiar phrases. My children never stay one size long enough to outwear their things. They are constantly growing, even though we have threatened to feed them only once a day.

In our family with four children, clothes are always in demand. To accommodate the needs of everyone including my bank account I have to be thrifty and highly organized. I buy only secondhand clothes, and I accept all offers of free clothing. I also encourage aunts, uncles and grandparents to always buy underwear and socks for birthdays and Christmas. All unused clothing goes into storage for the next child.

I try to limit my trips to "the closet" to four times a year. "The closet" is in the back corner of our basement. Two grown men could fit lying down foot to foot. It is as high as the ceiling and stands back in the darkest corner like something out of a horror movie, waiting to devour its next victim. Without a doubt, it is my least favorite place to be.

Inside are boxes stacked on more boxes filled with coats, boots, mittens, hats and clothes to fit almost any size imaginable. If I dyed everything green I could outfit a small army and have enough left over for their families.

As a season shows signs of changing, I pluck up my courage and venture down to the abyss. I put as many lights on as possible because (a) I hate basements, and (b) bright lights usually scare away bugs. Doors opened and sleeves rolled up, I plunge into the closet and drag boxes out one at a time. Each must be opened and inspected. Anything that might fit a child this season is thrown in a pile. Each box is rearranged and put back full. It is always a satisfying feeling to look at the closet and see it neatly organized and not overflowing.

When I turn around, the dream is shattered. I am confronted with a clothing moun