How much stuff do we really need, anyway?

Our local parenting group had a mom ask this question: How many clothing items does a child need? In the beginning, my only answer is: A LOT. fluids spew and leak out of every opening in a new baby ~ poop, pee, spitup, drool..you name it, it gets on their clothes (and yours). Changing my new baby's clothing occurred about as frequently as a cuckoo visits on some days. Those baby showers that resulted in endless onesies and stretchies were a blessing, for sure!

Once a child gets past that stage of uncontrollable sliminess, (what, around 3? 5?), how many clothing items do you need, exactly? One mama confessed to 40 dresses! I used to collect every cute new outfit, in each bright color. Why not dress them in cute clothes, isn't that why we had them in the first place? ;) soon, though, you realize that more clothing = more laundry. Only keep what you want to wash. So, how much do you enjoy laundry?

Here's what we do:

3 pairs of PJs (we rewear them unless they get food or other messiness on them)
enough of everything else to last one week, with a few (and I mean very few) extras thrown in for the sheer sake of variety. 2 swimsuits are enough for anyone ~ one to wear, one to wash/dry.

Kids seem to go through phases of clothing preferrences. Kensley would only wear dresses and dance leotards when she was three. By age four, she was open to other clothing choices...as long as leopard or zebra print was involved. Sometimes, it's only jeans, only sweatsuits, only PJs ( I did draw the line at school and church ~ they had to wear actually clothing) If your kids won't wear it, get rid of it. Don't pay full retail for anything, and it's not a huge loss. Plus, donating makees you feel good :)

The decluttering of drawers and closets makes it easier for even a young child to put away their own laundry. Bonus! Our old house has very few closets, and those we do have a miniscuole compared to modern ones. When the house was constructed, the people who lived here only needed three changes ~ one to wear, one to wash, one to go to church. We don't need to go to that extreme, but, we could take a lesson.