Heavy cost burden for parents of twins

Tifloen, 38, a director at law firm BLC Attorneys, recently had to fork out more than R11 000 for her six-year-old twin boys, Mikail and Aydin, who are starting Grade 1 at Grey Junior School next month.

Tifloen said she had paid R5 654.40 per child so far, which included summer, winter and sports uniforms and some stationery.

The cost of uniforms had increased considerably since her eldest son, Laaiq, now in Grade 9, started school.

Her advice to other parents is: “You should wait before you buy [uniforms] to avoid them [children] outgrowing them, but not too late to avoid not finding stock – how’s that for a contradiction?”

Despite the cost, Tifloen said school uniforms were extremely important when it came to instilling a sense of discipline in a child.

“Firstly, it looks good and secondly, has a mental impact on your behaviour. If I look at myself – on days I dress casually for work I feel way too relaxed and not like an attorney or professional at all.”

Mikail and Aydin were very excited about starting at Grey as “most of their friends from Grade R are going to the same school”.

Tifloen and her husband, Muneeb, 38 – who live in Walmer Heights – have purchased all the compulsory items on the school’s list.

“We only started shopping in November to ensure they do not outgrow the clothes before the school year starts. Uniforms are only available from the Grey school shop.”

She said compulsory items included grey school shorts at R80 a pair, white long-sleeved shirts at R135 each, long grey socks at R35 a pair, black school shoes at R250 a pair and the school cap at R140 each.

The boys also require a school jersey at R195 and a blazer at R720 each to complete their winter uniform.

Tifloen has also bought white school T-shirts, white shorts, takkies and a school swimming costume and sports cap. She has not yet bought school tracksuits for the boys.

Stationery purchased included pencil bags, aprons, chair bags, book bags and sports bags.

“The school is providing most of the stationery for Grade 1 and both the school bag and sports bag can be purchased from the school shop. All of these are compulsory and get embroidered with your son’s name.

“I discovered a nifty thing called laundry stamps to mark the clothing instead of sewing name tags on.”

Tifloen said non-compulsory school-branded goods available from the school shop included wallets, lunch boxes and water bottles.