Last semester when I was a new member, one of the girls in my n.m. class asked an "old member" if she could buy an extra ZTA shirt for her 17-year-old sister for Christmas, and the "old member" told her "no, that's not a good idea." Obviously the girl being in high school would probably (although not necessarilly) wear the shirt to her school & brag to her friends like "I'm gonna be a ZTA because my sister is". Especially since the shirt to which she was refferring was a stitched-letter shirt and did NOT have any other phrases on it like "legacy" or anything. Obviously it would also just not be right for a non-member to wear a shirt with just our letters on them, because she has not yet (and may not ever) "earn" those by becoming a ZTA. Then my fellow new member proceeded to say "Well y'all better be nice to my sister, because she's coming through rush next fall." That phrase bothered me... why would we NOT be nice to ANYONE going through rush?!? It's not like we're going to be MEAN to ANYONE, even if we don't think they're right for ZTA. LOL.

I bought my mom, on the other hand, a vest that said "ZTA mom" on it, but that's a completely different story.

Chi Omega doesn't make "Future Chi O" shirts for older kids. My kids both have Chi O and Delt stuff but we won't pressure them to go one way or another.

I bought my parents the "Chi O Mom" and "dad" sweatshirts.....they were blue with plaid block letters and then the mom or dad stitched underneath. Dad still has his. My mom kept hers always too, and after she died when I cleaned out her place and I found it it was very sad. I didn't keep it. I should have in case Paige goes Chi O someday but then I won't just be her mom, I'll be her sister. I have my own DTD sweatshirt I had made when Brent and I were dating and I had a CHi O shirt made for him which he still has.

I got my mom a Theta Chi Mom sweatshirt cuz she loves Theta Chi :) I would feel more comfortable with my daughter wearing stuff than my son.

Zetaluv, it might be a good idea that during recruitment practice, discussions, etc., that members be reminded of your sorority's policy. If the next rush period is the nm's first, and her sister is going through, she is going to be super hyper. Depending on the policy, some chapters take as many legacies as they can, others..just because you're a legacy doesn't mean you are guaranteed a bid.

There are some great threads under Rush about legacies.

have to agree with CutiePie.

Baby Greek does have some really cute stuff - I'm a guy and I can tell...:D

Click here to see my personal fave for Beta.

Nice website that carries greek baby stuff
 

I know that the national organizations of many groups actually license and approve the designs offered by manufacturers, retailers and e-stores, so you can bet if they don't want the words Future _____ on a shirt they will not approve it. A sorority sister in our alumnae chapter produces really cute Greek baby clothing at accessories at GreekGiftsEtc.com. Just click on Alumnae Gifts or Greek Apparel to see the link to the baby department. They have really cute designs that are very unique and they let you choose which phrase you want on the child's garment. Also I don't believe the offer anything but infant and toddler sizes so we're not talking about clothing for a 10 year old here. Here is a direct link for those interested: http://greekgifts.safeshopper.com/171/cat171.htm

Such adorable things on this website! Almost makes me want to have a third....not quite, but almost ! :)

Just to add my 2 cents, I think that young children wearing the apparel is fine. Once the child/tween/teenager is aware enough to know the connotation and formulate the thought that they are "definitely going to be a XYZ" then its not ok. I think most of the baby stuff is cool.

http://www.stuff4greeks.com/fratbrat...index.html#top

I had to give this the ol' bumpity-bump, because this merchandise is cute, but it also makes me wonder if dressing children in stuff that says "Future _____ (insert GLO nickname here)" will come back to haunt the parents later. Hmmm......

PS this is a company that is geared to the NPHC, not NPC/NIC, although I suppose you could have your own custom made too.

Had to share a story concerning giving the younger siblings a set of your letters--

When I was a sophomore, a senior member of XYZ had a freshman sister. The sister walked into the cafeteria wearing a set of XYZ letters. The XYZs who were in the cafeteria went BALLISTIC. They started shouting at her and asking her who she was, thinking that she could wear those letters. One of the XYZs actually followed her out of the cafe. It was quite the campus scandal for a while (what can I say, it's a small school), and she never wore that shirt again. When rush came around, the freshman did not appear on XYZ's invite list to second party.

That story has always been in the back of my mind when I see younger siblings wearing letters. Even though I've bought my Goddaughter a ton of "A Chi Omega loves me" onesies and tshirts, that will stop when she gets older. I definitely would not buy a set of letters (although I'll be first in line if and when she joins a sorority, especially if it is Chi-O!).

I think my 16 year old sister has worn maybe one or two of my party shirts, but she definitely does NOT have the "I'm going to be an ADPi" mindset.

I don't mind since I would love for her to be an ADPi, but if she joins another GLO in college I'd be fine with that as well.

When I was a province officer, I'd bring back DG party shirts from various schools for my teen-agers to wear - I remember they fought over a shirt featuring Grateful Dead-type bears! No worries about them joining...my chapter no longer existed at either Alabama or Auburn (and one is a boy!). Daughter eventually joined Delta Zeta...she still occasionally wears her DG shirts around (she's been out of school for 2 years now)...I figure it's good PR!;)

Easier said than done when the older sister is still in the chapter! I've been through it when a biological sister of a current collegiate member was cut from recruitment. As would be expected, this lead to the older sister disaffiliating. You can't expect a member to pick your GLO over her biological sister...it would be rare for that to happen.

When I just got initiated, I gave my sister (who was about 11 or 12 at the time) a "Phi Mu Legacy" shirt in her favorite colors (navy on baby blue). It didn't have letters (anyway she's too young to be mistaken for a member) and it clearly stated only what is true.

She's 14 now, she hasn't worn it in forever (although I know she's got it somewhere) and when she did wear it she was very proud of it and learned that a few of her teachers were greek too! I would bet a million dollars that she'd never join my group (and don't really expect her to, she's not the type), but it was nice for us to have that bond to share during that time. She also got most of the party and homecoming shirts we were forced to buy (the boys designed them and they were all tacky and they never ordered enough smalls so we had to take larges!)

I have two other sisters who will be nine shortly, and I totally want to get them something similar because they like to hear the songs and meet my sisters and are curious. I might get something like "My big sis is a Phi Mu!"

So has anyone bought any little boy clothing with their sorority letters on it? I think it's a little weird, but I saw that they do blankets in pink and blue. My sister-in-law is pregnant again (we're all hoping for a girl this time!) and I was eyeing the blankets. Thing is, I don't know whether to get one in my letters or the peanut's (nice nickname huh?) mom's letters. But my sister is an AXiD and it might be more appropriate to get a blanket with a teddy bear on it for a newborn.

But yeah..little boy toddler wearing sorority letters? I'd only do that to my nephew if I could find a 'A Sigma Kappa Loves Me' shirt or something. Now if there is a niece in my future, there will also be a sorority boardbook too :D