Would You Buy $200 Boots for a 12 Yo?

No.
I buy expensive winter boots but at a discount store. Functionality and warmth I get. $200? No. If I found them somewhere else cheaper, or last year's model - maybe.
If it's just to have because everyone else does - then they pay half. The difference from what I'm willing to spend. My kids have been doing this for years.
My kids paid for their own cell phones. I may have money, but they don't. One of the best lessons my dad ever taught me. He covered my needs, but not my wants. So if it's a need - yes, if it's a want - no, or they pay difference.

Uggs were my 12yr old's "big ticket item" for Christmas last year. She'd been asking for them for a few years (ALL her friends had them, I'm not exaggerating). I finally caved...for a couple of reasons. 1) Her feet were fully grown and so she'd be wearing these boots for years and years. 2) She wanted nothing else for Christmas. 3) She and I wear the same size and on occasion, *I* could borrow them (which I do). 4) They are extremely comfortable (WAAAY more comfortable than any of the inexpensive boots I'd been buying her over the years, which would wear down after a year anyway. I could either buy her this ONE pair of expensive boots or keep buying her a cheap pair every year...in the end, the one expensive pair would probably be more cost effective anyway. So she got her Uggs. She wears them a lot and they still look brand new.

My 9yr old niece, whose feet are nowhere near done growing, wanted them for Christmas this year. My sister said "no way". I fully agreed.

No. I'd look on Ebay for a pair gently used. Or at local consignment shops. There is no way I'd spend that much on shoes for a kid who will outgrow them! I'm pretty thrifty though.

I've always bought my girls expensive shoes but $200 for shoes that have absoultely no support...I wouldn't do it.

When my girls want something that is expensive and I think kind of frivolous, we usually give them the money (birthday / Christmas) and then let them make the decision to purchase it or not. It is kind of funny how my girls find it so much easier to spend my money but when it is their own money they seem to have more sense.

My daughter wanted a Fitbit just like mine. Since she just had a birthday I told her I would pay for 1/2 of the cost and she could pay the other half with her birthday money. Guess who didn't get a Fitbit. She wanted it when I was paying $120 but it wasn't worth it to her to spend $60. Things that make you go mmmm.😊

In my experience, even when we could afford something our daughter "wanted" we felt the importance of teaching her delayed gratification.

Even with personal spending, we practice delayed gratification.

Just because you can afford something or think you can afford something does not mean it's a good idea to do it.

Why does she want $200 boots? What will you do when she wants the $400 purse? Tiffany necklace? New car?

Determine want vs need and when our daughter "wants" she puts part or all of her money into it so she also has some skin in the game. It's amazing how they figure out how they don't NEED something when they have to contribute to the cost!

OK if you're really in Lancaster then I know from friends who live in the Buffalo area that middle school girl fashion where you are is the same as it is where I am. That means that for at least the past 5 years, the middle school girl "uniform" has been UGGS, skinny jeans or yoga pants, and a NorthFace jacket or vest, right? Luckily, when I had a middle school girl she wasn't into that cookie-cutter look but she was in the minority by far. I was stunned at how many girls had real UGG boots and NorthFace jackets.

So...if I were you, I would first consider whether or not her feet have stopped growing. If they have, then I would consider splitting the cost of the boots in half with her. Once it's her money involved too, she may decide it's not worth it. It was always funny how my oldest son suddenly was comfortable with a last-season model hockey stick on sale for $100-$150 instead of the latest and greatest for $250 when he had to chip in a substantial amount of his own money for new sticks. Or, have her look for a used pair on eBay, craigslist or at a high-end consignment store in your area. Real UGG boots can last a long time so it's the kind of thing you can buy used when tweens outgrow theirs.

If her feet are still growing, then absolutely not. Tell her she can buy knock-offs or a used pair for $40-$50 max, or whatever you would normally spend on quality shoes.

Ugh, these questions make me crazy.
Who CARES what other peoples' choices are?
Cost aside (because some people actually CAN afford this kind of purchase) what makes sense to YOU?
My kids were small, and slow growers, so a good coat, pair of boots, etc. made financial sense. I always bought on the big side, which is easy to do with Uggs, and they got a good, full two seasons worth of wear out of these types of purchases.
Don't look for validation on the internet, look at your own situation, finances, family values, and go from there.
Happy New Year!!!

absolutely not.

not only will she outgrow them far too quickly but stuff like that can turn into a sense of entitlement very quickly and easily. I think this is a great opportunity for you to show her not only delayed gratification but also setting a goal and meeting it.

If it were mine, and it would most likely not be boots but something just as expensive, I would tell him he can save up for it and when the time is right I'll match his savings and go halfzies (sp) on it with him. In her case, maybe around 15?

When do girls feet stop growing during adolescence LOL? Hey, there's your next Matapedia posting question. Seems like you're very blessed. :-) Have a lovely holiday. S.

I wouldn't buy $200 Uggs for myself so I probably wouldn't buy 'em for my kid either! I wear the Target knock-offs.

That's just me though, I hate paying for name brand stuff... but sometimes, at age 12, the trendy item is important and it doesn't hurt to get your daughter something once in awhile that makes her special among her peers. Once in awhile. That's my opinion, I'd never say never and I wouldn't judge.

I also think it depends on how much your kid would appreciate them and understand the price hike and what a "splurge" it is... 12 years old might be old enough to really get it and appreciate the special-ness of it.

No. And especially not if her feet are still growing. If she's set on having them, come up with ways for her to earn the money to purchase them herself. FYI, Costco carries decent looking knock-offs for about $35.

Honest opinion.....if this 12 year old was responsible. If she kept a clean and tidy living space, if she takes care of her things, if she does her chores and school work without having to be yelled at and grounded to get it done, if she is basically a good kid that is wonderful.

Then, maybe then, I'd think about it. Why? My employer, she's the dance teacher owner and her husband is the gymnastics/tumbling teacher, has several pairs of Uggs.

Let me tell you. Those boots are worn nearly every day, she is up front by the mirror doing the steps and walking around correcting positions and running up and down stairs all day and all evening. Her Uggs are years old and still look new/barely used at all. She wears then year after year after year.

She isn't just wearing them to school and then home, this lady is dancing in hers hours per day. Then they're worn on the streets while she does her family shopping and more.

So Uggs are sturdy good boots.

Can you wear your 12 year olds same size? When she's tired of them you'd have them to wear...you might even be able to resell them if they don't fit you but I think they're awesome boots.

My 12 year old isn't a clean and tidy kid, she doesn't do her chores even when grounded, she just says "whatever" and does without the electronics or phone or everything. She was even grounded to inside the house until she picked up the clean clothes out of her bedroom floor. She spent the entire summer inside the house. Never leaving her room much except to eat and watch TV occasionally. She has basketball shoes that cost around a hundred. I couldn't afford them either but she plays for her school and has done so for 3 years now. It's a good investment for me because her feet need the support and the shoes match her basketball uniforms regardless if they're inside out or outside in. But no Uggs, she doesn't deserve that sort of money spent on her. She's a 3.75 student too but her attitude needs adjusting.

If her feet are still growing, definitely not. If you know the boots will still fit in a few years, and she is a responsible kid who takes care of her things, I would consider it. I'd probably make my child pay half.

What does afford mean? Are you saving enough for retirement, for college, how's your mortgage coming along? It's all about priorities.

My almost 8 year old wanted a pair of Hanna Anderson boots. They were 60. My mom wanted to buy them. I told her no way. Mind you, I do buy my kids quality shoes-- see Kai run, for instance, but 60 for a pair of boots she can't even wear in the snow? What's the point?

I have an expensive pair of boots I got on clearance for 120. I couldn't fathom spending 200 for one pair of shoes for a 12 year old. I wouldn't do it for myself. It's unpractical and wasteful. Spending 400 on electronic lego's for my 6 year old? No problem.

I could afford such boots for my child. I can afford lots of things, but I see absolutely no point in spending that much money of unpractical foortware-hiking boots for a hiker, sure, running shoes for a runner,sure. But ugly -look at me! I can afford unpratical (they arent even waterproof!!!!! They have no support!!!) boots? No. I'd make her use her own money. Let her understand the actual value of 200. To many families that's a months worth of FOOD.

no, not for a kid whose feet are growing the way tweens' feet do. but i WOULD help her find some knock-offs that would do until she gets a few more years and the growth settles down.
i have a hard time justifying that much for boots for ME! (but somehow i managed it on my last birthday.........)
;) khairete
S.

I just paid $400 for two pairs of shoes for my son on one day he is 11.

However, he has a recently discovered orthopedic issue that can mean surgery if not corrected.

It was amazing how fast I spent the money knowing I will have to do it again in 6 months or less. As the new shoes were already a size and a half bigger than the ones he was wearing for the last three months. BUT it was a health issue and the shoes were recommend by his physical therapist.

So, yes I bought $200 hiking boots for my 11 year old and $200 sneakers...but if they were just for a certain brand because he likes or wants them....no I don't think I would...

I would let him earn the money....like I did for his tablet.

Nope. As long as the kid was still growing I bought less expensive things. When they stopped I'd spring for something better quality. You can buy good ugg-like boots. At 12 she's just wanting them because everyone else has them. Next month she will probably want something else because its in.

The rule here is that I will pay x-amount of dollars for shoes they need. I will not pay for shoes they "want", they get enough X-mas and birthday money, not to mention they have a restaurant to work in anytime they want to to earn money, they pay for things like that.
As far as being able to afford it, that's a different situation than mine, but my SIL and her husband easily make over 200k, and they deal with this stuff the same way we do. My SIL wouldn't buy her daughter UGGS either.
However, all of that said, I would consider (if we made more money and it wasn't a hardship to save for them) buying them as a birthday gift for my child.

No. If she wants them - she can EARN them and buy them herself with money she earned...it might not be so easy for her to part with HER money....and then when she does and can only wear them a few months?? Yeah...disappointment. But she needs to learn that...

How often are you buying her NEW shoes?? Once every 2 to 4 months? Or have her feet stopped growing?

WHY does she want them? I have a pair of the Ugg Adirondack style - they are snow boots - LOVE them!! I was lucky and caught them on sale at the end of a season and got them for about $125. However, my feet aren't growing any more.

My boys are 13 and 15 - the most we spend on shoes for them is $75. Why? Because they won't be wearing them for years - we get quality shoes on sale - my 13 year is in a size 13 mens. And in October? He was a size 12. I get nervous wondering how big his feet will end up being!! URGH!!

No. Don't spend the $$$ - even if you can afford it. Make her earn the money and buy them herself.

I wouldn't do it.
Not till her feet stop growing - and then I would.

I would tell her I would match her putting her own money into them. So, if she can save up $100 and UGG boots are important enough that this is how she wants to spend it, i would OK it. I do this with my kids with many things, and I find that their priorities often change when they have to use their own money. And if it doesn't, and they are willing to save all of their Christmas and birthday money for an entire year, then ok (that's how long it took my older to get enough $ to pay for half of his iPod).

No freaking way! I only started getting pricy, designer brands when I was an independent adult out working for a living and could treat myself. To this day I VALUE expensive new pieces of clothing when I splurge, and I pick very carefully. My kids will NOT be getting in the habit of having that type of stuff handed to them. Now MAYBE as a special big birthday or Christmas item. I just scored a really cool leather jacket for my son at a thrift store. I've gotten some deals on ebay...YES, I COULD buy one of them some $200 boots...but my moral compass winces at the thought. And if her feet are still growing? Nope. UGGS come out with new and fabulous styles every year, available all year round. She should start saving her allowance and babysitting money.

Depends on the child. Is she still growing - is her shoe size still increasing? Is she careful with her possessions and clothing? Does she lose things? Does she throw her boots in a careless heap? Does she just want new boots because her old ones are "so last season"?

I really don't think that a kid who's not even a teen needs boots that expensive, even if the budget allows for a purchase like that. That amount of money would buy several pairs of warm boots and mittens for several children who will be cold this winter.

I might, for a responsible child, set a goal of $200, and let her work towards it. She'll appreciate them more. If she's not willing to earn most of the money, then it would seem like she doesn't want them badly enough.

No. That's outrageous. But that's just my opinion.

If she's still growing and/or if she is not particularly careful about possessions, then absolutely not.

If she's stable in her growth and terrifically responsible with prior purchases that were expensive, I'd still be hesitant. What's the point of $200 boots? What else could be done to benefit someone (a family member, or a needy person, or a charity) who is lacking in more important items.

Thirdly, I'd evaluate her reasons for wanting them. Is it peer pressure, because "anyone who is anyone" has Ugg boots? Because some celebrity endorsed them? Will anyone who doesn't have them be made to feel "less than" kids who do? It's a good time for a lesson in brand names, jacked up ad budgets, and items that are pitched/marketed to kids who guilt trip their parents into buying them. So it's really a values question, and there should be a discussion of "how the boots will be used" to possibly exclude or belittle others, or perhaps about the exclusion she now feels from other kids. That leads to the discussion of "what is the role of a friend?"

It's not a question of what you can afford. It's a question of whether you think it's justified. It sounds like you don't.

12-13 is when they start pushing the boundaries/limits set by parents. So ask yourself, if you give in to this, what's next? Next it will be very expensive (and unnecessary) electronics, and then it will be a car. So figure out your position on these matters and how you are going to navigate the teen years with their independence, rebellion, eye-rolling and moods! It's good to have a game plan ahead of time - you need to be at least 1-2 years ahead of your kid so you don't get blindsided!

At least consider having her earn part of the money herself. This is a luxury, not a necessity.

Good luck!

No. I would buy knock offs or used or let her buy her own. I would buy Sorels.

ETA: The reason I wouldn't buy the Uggs is that they are fashion boots. They are warm, but not particularly useful. They are not water proof. I have no problem with buying expensive, high quality stuff if you can afford it and need it, but not just for the sake of fashion.

I bought them when my daughter was that age (she's 22 now) and she probably still has them. You don't get much mileage out of wooly boots in Southern California.

My daughter is 13 and her feet have been the same size for a couple of years so I wouldn’t be as concerned about her growing out of them.

If you can afford them and you feel she will appreciate them. I might consider them.

If she is looking for the standard boot, you could try Sam’s Club. I saw some being sold behind the jewelry counter for about $120.

Also, I’ve seen that some dry cleaners can clean them so once they get dirty all is not lost.

My 12 year old's feet are still growing, so no. She gets knock offs and doesn't seem to mind. If that was the only thing on her wish list, I'd probably spring for them for Christmas or a birthday or have her save her allowance money.

My kids' feet were still growing at this age. There is no way that I would pay that kind of money for something my child would grow out of.

I have a pair of Ugg boots. I bought them 7 years ago. They still fit me. I can still wear them. I didn't pay $200 for them. I have the warm, plain ugly ones. Not the fancy ones that really don't keep your feet warm.

That's my opinion on the subject for both me and my kids.

Maybe offer to pay half and have her earn the other half? Then she is more likely to take care of them and appreciate the value.

ETA: If my child had a medical issue that would trump the boot cost so that the child could walk properly. Shoes for medical issues cost more and have to be changed frequently as children grow.

Original: I would not, Perhaps a gently used pair. Her feet are still growing. If she has half the money I might consider it. There is a time and place for things and when I am paying it is my decision.

Good luck.

the other S.

PS I have a daughter who is 38 and she has not purchased a pair and she has the money to do so. She cannot justify the price.

I wouldn't even spend that much for myself!

Updated

I wouldn't even spend that much for myself!

Probably not but then again, we couldn't afford to spend that much on a child. How much use would she get out of them? Are they seasonal? Would she take care of them? One of my children I would say "maybe" because I know he'd take care of them and use them, the other would destroy them. Lots to consider.

"Hard to justify" is an understatement.
Show her the PETA videos.
Do your research.
I wouldn't pay 5 bucks for a pair.

My 9 yr old got them from Santa but they were less than that. I hesitated but got them. She loves and appreciates them and truthfully, they are much nicer than the Target ones. I am always shocked by how many girls her age have them.

My 13 (almost 14) year old has had them on her Christmas list for the last 3 years. We finally got them this year. It was her only big ticket item, and her foot is done growing so we went for it. She was thrilled, and I know she'll wear them for years.

Kids feet grow so quickly around this age that I wouldn't spend that much on something that won't last long before being outgrown. It's just not practical, imo.

I did...my 13 yo got some for Christmas.

Ummm no! I would consider telling her if she saved up $xx I'll pay $xx whatever id ordinary be willing to spend

I refused to buy expensive shoes for my kid until her feet stopped growing. I wasn't going to spend $200 on a pair of shoes that she would outgrow before the soles got dirty.

I spent $130 for cowboy boots for my then-12-YO. His feet have (probably) stopped growing. I bought them just a touch big. They were for his grandpa's funeral, and he wanted to be dressed "like Opa would want". Ordinarily - I would never spend that money on a child shoes. If it's a special occasion or you can reasonably figure he (or another child) can use them - it's a budget call. Otherwise - if he's 12, he has the ability to earn money. Offer to meet him halfway. But to just "hand it to him" - nah. That doesn't make good mom-sense!

I would.

My daughter asked for them last year (she was 11) and we almost got them as her big gift for Christmas. A few days before I was planning to order she told me she liked Bear Paws just as much...so she was able to get Bear Paws AND a North Face for the same cost.

My daughter is not done growing, so we won't buy her the $375 tap shoes she will need when she IS done growing (it's a one-time buy thing, they repair and replace), but boots? Sure. She wears the heck out of them...and her Bear Paws from last year still fit, still look good, and she still wears them. I'm happy with two seasons out of ANYTHING.