I'm going to start buying my son some clothes for this summer and I'll send them all to my ex in early June.. How many pairs of shorts, shirts, and sandles would you recommend for a 4 and a half year old? I'll also be getting him school clothes.. How many underwear, socks, pants, shirts, sweathers, shoes, ect.. should I buy for him. I would perfer if my ex didn't have to buy any of it.. so I'm hoping to get a good idea of how much clothes he'll need. Thanks.

That's kind of a big question.... If it was me, I would start with:

5 pairs of shorts
5 short-sleeved tees
2 pairs pants
2 long-sleeved tees
1 light jacket
1 pair flip-flops
1 pair sandals
1 pair tennis shoes
8-10 pairs of underwear
8-10 pairs of socks

Add a few more pairs of pants and a warmer jacket (depending on weather??) when school starts. My son's favorite articles of clothing are his hoodies--we always have to have one or two. I also like to make sure my kiddos have at least one pair of sweats and sweatshirt. And don't forget jammies and a pair of swim trunks

(That list is based on my own experience, doing laundry 2 times a week. It is pretty much bare minimum.)

You must have a very good reason to to buy them so your ex didn't have to. I just can't fathom it. When I was stepmom, we fought to have my stepdaughters bring their own clothes (that was after we hadn't seen them in 3 years and couldn't afford to completely replace their wardrobes.) Now I do not send a thing to the ex's house--just works out better--I can barely afford to clothe my kids while they are at my house.

well my ex and I had our problems. I was only 17 when she got pregnant. She disappeared when my son was almost 2 but I hadn't seen him in about 6 months, I thought if I gave her enough time she would be more civil with me and try to work something out regarding our son.. all we ever did was fight. Anyway, I've always sent presents on holidays to her parents and I found her on facebook about 6 months ago. She won't let me see my son because she thinks I'm the same 17 year old I guess.. I don't know! She has been letting me send money and gifts for him and she said she'll tell him they are from me. I'm just trying to help her out and show her that I do care. I don't even know where my son lives but I'm still making an effort to support him by sending things to her parents. I plan to take her to court in the near future. My fiance's bestfriend is a single mother and she is always saying how expensive clothing is.. so I would like to give my ex a break from having to buy so much for him.

Since your are not in contact with your ex, I assume you probably do not know what size to get him and also what his preferences are. My son, also 4 1/2 is very particular about what he will wear. How about sending him a gift card. I realize that that takes away all the fun of shopping for him yourself but it may save on clothes that are too small/big for him. I hope your court case goes well for you. You obviously are trying to make an effort to be a good parent.

Wow...you are SO sweet. What a good father, and this is such a kind thing to do for your ex too. I've always paid for EVERYTHING for my daughter, so I can't imagine such kindness.

I think that Sara has a good list for you. I would definitely follow that-that's a good list, even for me with my daughter!

What a lucky woman your ex is, and what a lucky son you have! Good luck with everything!

Thank you.. those words really meant a lot to me. My ex thinks I'm this awful person, she doesn't understand that I was only 17 and I'm now almost 23 and have made a lot of changes in my life in hopes to have a relationship with my son again. The gift certificate does seem like a better idea but I really wanted to get the clothes and shoes and things myself. She buys all his clothes second hand and from the picture I seen of him his clothes look shaggy to me. I want him to have nice stuff. She said she'll give me his sizes and I'll keep the reciepts if anything needs to be exchanged.