Wednesday, August 26, 2009

sanity saver...AKA tips and tricks

Well, my friend Dana does tips and tricks on Tuesdays. They do works for me Wednesdays at We Are That Family. We all know I'm walkin' the line of sanity and...well...not sanity these days. BUT, anything I can do to get me to stay on the other side of the line, I'm for it. I thought you might be too. So, here is a tip that this mama did on her last school shopping outing that saved both time and sanity. That's right kids...a TWO-FER!!

I loathe, with the full on stink eye, shopping. WAIT WAIT WAIT...hear me out. I don't mind the looking process (enter obsession with junk/thrift/antique stores and yard sales.) But if I have to do anything that requires actual forethought for buying or heaven help me, trying anything on, I'm pretty much out. However, as the house manager, I discover more times than not that one of my little team players is in need of something in a bigger size (STOP GROWING ALREADY!!) This was the story a few weeks ago. Both boys needed school shoes. I have only taken my kids to try on shoes one time, EVER. For as long as I can, I will avoid it from now on. Here's how.

1. Grab your biggest most cooperative and at home during school hours cutest kid and some card stock (or scrapbook paper...or newspaper...or...you get it.) Don't judge the mound of clothes in the background b/c they are coming to some lucky friends out there.


2. Stand said child on the paper, leaving enough room to trace around each foot.

3. Make sure those lines are a little crooked at the toes and the heels. (If not, you just missed out on an opportunity to play with your kid for the only 2 seconds you can devote at the moment cause you only have about 6 loads of laundry to put away!!) I'm sorry. Where was I?
4. Once you have traced their very boy and Fred Flintstone looking feet, cut out around the tracings. They don't have to be perfect, but get the outline as close to the line as you can and hit the high points on the toes. And yes, I realize it's spelled wrong in the picture. sorry. I knew it didn't look right.
5. Label those jokers...especially if you have kids similar in age, you know...like twins...or quads. Be sure to put if it is their right or left.

Cause if you are on the brink of sanity one day, and you are out trying to find said sanity by getting out of the house, and you find yourself at a yard sale or thrift store, you don't need to teeter on the edge because you don't know your (or their) right from their left. Am I right?
6. Laminate 'em. You can be done after #5, but if you are going to multiple places and want to keep up with them for more than one day, i wouldn't choose that option. Or if you only use paper and not something heavier like card stock. I used Duck brand "Clear Laminate" (basically clear contact paper...cause I'm not as cool as a teacher.)
7. Punch holes in the foot and stick them through a paper clip or unused key ring. Stick them in your purse and go shoe shopping.
8. When you find some cute shoes, slide those puppies on the inside and see if it's a fit. Look at the top and be sure there is toe room. Look to the side so that you can see if the curve of their foot lines up with the arch support.

9. Be sure they are on sale and bring 'em home. I'm gonna guess you'll have happy feet (and more importantly will have avoided having to buy Hulk or Transformer shoes.)

and there you have it...how to save your mind shopping for the mythical unicorn shoes that fit.

12 comments:

Brandi Bartee said...

Awesome post Becky! I once saw my sister-in-law trace her child's foot and wondered how she was going to pull that one off. I don't think she ever put it inside the shoe though. Cool idea and definitely perfect for girl's too. You can't take my girl shoe shopping unless you want her to wear every pair home. She cries and screams if you take the shoes off of her. Therefore we come home with way too many pairs. Thanks!!

Melissa said...

That is just the coolest idea! Love it! I would have never thought of that! (and I'm a teacher!)

The HoneaBees said...

When I first read the title I though it said sanitary saver and I was concerned.

Becky said...

kera, you wrong girl. just wrong.

Sabrina said...

What a great idea! Now if we could just figure out away to do the same thing with clothes!!! But I think that someone might look at me a little strangely if I pulled out a life-size paper doll of my little girl!!!

Dana said...

Love it love it! Super love it! Can I guest post it next Tuesday?

Niki Jolene said...

Hysterical! First time a WFMW tip ever made me laugh. Ya gotta do what you gotta do though, right?

I only have one kiddo to take shoe-shopping so I will not judge.

:)

Come by and visit me over at Free 2 Be Frugal!

Hillary @ The Other Mama said...

LOVE IT!! I think they recommend doing this at Kids Kloset, but I never do. If I'm paying $2 for shoes and they don't fit, I guess I'm hoping they'll fit the next child.
Great tutorial!!

Lindsey said...

great idea. i'm about to go shoe shopping for grady man and you know he doesn't get to come along. at least i can take his foot with me:).

Lindsey said...

great idea. i'm about to go shoe shopping for grady man and you know he doesn't get to come along. at least i can take his foot with me:).

Tiffany said...

GREAT idea! Plus, holy cow, the Fred Flinstone feet comment made me laugh outloud. You aren't kidding! The boy looks like he has cartoon feet drawn by a Hanna Barbera animator. That is too funny!!!

Kelley said...

Cool idea, but my boys men size 11 and 13 templates won't fit in my purse!

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