Label Kids Clothes: Last Name or First Name?

I use the last name so that the clothes can be handed down from older to younger brother. The labels are on the inside of the garment.

It's not unusual for mothers to consider all the negative ramifications in great detail. I suppose it IS possible, in a movie-style sort or way, for a "creep" to investigate the name labels on the insides of all the jackets and sweaters hanging up at the preschool with the evil intent of matching the name label to the child (I can do this worry stuff, too)... but it isn't *very* likely. What's more likely is that your son will come home with somebody else's blue jacket and somebody else will go home with his.

I think most people label with last names. But if your last name is a very common one, you might want to add a first name, or use initials instead.

You can always call the preschool and ask what they prefer.

If you're labeling on the inside, how would a creep call out his name? I never personalize backpacks or jackets for that reason, but labeling the inside shouldn't cause that problem. I have a girl and a boy -- if my daughter has something that might be passed down, I only label with the last name. If the label is too small, I only use initials. I think you can really overthink this, though...

Labels go on the inside, not the outside. No one is going to see it unless they get up close to look inside his clothing.

I just put initials on the clothing tag in fine point sharpie.

I put our last name (so either kid can use it) inside the collar of jackets and on the back of backpacks. On one of the backpacks there is a spot for it (just like luggage).

Both our preschool and grade school asks that we label outerwear and backpacks (not all clothes). We sent a bag of clothes with our youngest, and his name is on the ziplock bag.

I really wouldn't be too concerned with a stranger seeing the name. As Malia mentioned, no one is going to get close enough to be able to read it. The labels are to assist the teachers. Little ones will drop their jackets or fight over one or forget them. It's just the easiest way to keep track of everything and avoid fights. The are still in that "Hey, that's mine!" phase, afterall.

I understand your concern about the labels..... but is a stranger going to get close enough to your son to be able to look at the tag?

Rather than putting the name on the standard tag, you can get some iron-on tape, put your name on it, and iron it on the inside of a shirt where it isn't as easily accessible.... like near the bottom hem, on the back, for shirts, or inside the pants, near a seam. You don't HAVE to put the name at the top inside of the collar.....

I can't say I ever really labeled anything even when asked. When I did her coat though I used our last name since it would more than likely be passed down to her sister. It was always labeled on the tag and I don't think a stranger could be looking there without being noticed...

M.:

I label them with our kids initials...makes it much easier to write and distinguish.

As for backpacks? NEVER write their first OR last name on any "public view" place...INSIDE of the strap, INSIDE of the backpack...same for lunch boxes. INSIDE..

If tings MUST be written on the outside? INITIALS.

I never label the clothes even though they want us too. Sorry, I bought them, I will do what I want with them.
We take very good care of our clothes and I usually donate them and do not want a name plastered inside or out.
For his backpack I wrote his name on a sticky label and stuck it inside.

I do last name for things that I might pass around (if you have younger kids) or for family stuff (like our coolers, camping gear, etc). I do first name for things that only belong to that person. We are big fans of Mabel's Labels. They are very sturdy and stuck very well. They have iron ons, but I like their tag mates - which are unobtrusive and stick well in the laundry. I use them on everything, including lunch containers and toys. I put labels where they are less likely to be seen - INSIDE the backpack or jacket.

When my son was in preschool I would only put first initial with last name. This year however in kindergarten I have put his entire name on the inside of his coat, backpack, and lunch box because I do not want another child/parent claiming ownership if things are lost.

I always put their initials. That way I knew my writing and not many kids have the same initials. They may have the same first and last initials but not the same 3 or 4. If someone else did have the same first and last I would add a star or heart or some sort of other mark that was unique to their items.

For dance shoes I use a sharpie and put their initials inside the shoe and the date I bought them. That way if I am looking for missing shoes and find 3-5 different ballet shoes or taps I know which ones are sets because the dates would match up. The written date in sharpie is so much easier to see without my reading glasses than that little tag inside the shoe or the fine print inside the heel.

At the minimum , first name and last initial INSIDE the clothing. Not sure why you think it's going to be visible to anyone; the idea is just for identifying clothing if it's off the kid and then lost.

The last initial is vital because so many kids have the same first names. In some cases you may need both names -- my daughter has always had kids in her classes where there were the same first names AND last initials like "Lily T" and another "Lily T" and so on!

You are right about not having small kids' names on the outside. Discourage folks giving him cutesy t-shirts with his name on the front or backpacks embroidered with his name.