I gave up after my daughter was born on the ban on pink and the refusal to buy into the power of the princess.

But there’s one place I refuse to budge. The pants.

On the go constantly, I’ve found that letting my girl get all “foofed” up just isn’t practical. Kids, by their nature, like to get dirty. They find the one puddle in the entire parking lot, and they jump in it. They don’t watch where they are going, and they trip and fall.

Striking a balance between letting them just be them and keeping the family on the go has made for a jeans-only rule in our house (in the winter, anyway). They’re durable. They dry quickly and protect little knees from scrapes. They’re warm. They don’t show dirt (or spilled yogurt drinks)

They’re one piece of clothing every kid needs plenty of.

Here’s a test of my favorites in different price ranges:

Appaman has been making thick-cotton denim for little legs for just five years now, but don’t let the funny monkey logo fool you. This is a company that’s serious about dressing kids. Available from one of my favorite kids boutiques, Cocotier Kids, the Appaman girls bootcut jeans and railroad carpenter jeans are on the higher end of the list at $64 apiece. But their worth fast becomes apparent when Junior first falls down. The thick denim won’t tear at the first stumble, and it offers an extra layer of protection from the winter chill. Throw them in the wash, and they soften but don’t break down even as you find yourself loosening that expandable waistband to keep up with a growing kid. Helping you feel like your wallet won’t be breaking down this year, Cocotier Kids is throwing in a discount on the Appaman line: use the code PEEK at checkout for an additional 10 percent off any Appaman product. She’s also offering as much as 15 percent off of orders over $200 with sales storewide, so take a peek!

Tea Collection started with a sweater, but the folks who make clothes for little citizens of the world have a denim wear line that will take them to the moon and back. The Sora Denim Slim Fit give little girls a look that’s as stylish as mom’s, in a pair of jeans that’s all girl. Whiskered washing atop the thighs give them a hint of sophistication. The adjustable waistband and longer length than other brands (in an equivalent sizing) make Tea Collection jeans that kids can grow into and keep on wearing. What’s more, Tea donates 40-50 percent of all sales from the assortment to The Global Fund for Children, making this a purchase that will help other little citizens of our world.

When my daughter started wandering into my realm of shopping, I realized I might have to start backing out. Roxy has been a standby for Moms like me who want to cling to youth without looking like they’re trying too hard. It’s Roxy’s kids line that’s caught my eye, with prices around $35 and below, and jeans that stand up to tough kids and even tougher mom standards. They look like something the big girls would wear, but they protect your little girl.

And since we’re talking protection, Comfy Crawlers from Gissy Bella are the jeans that keep little knees safe before they’re up and running. Made with patches to cover their delicate kneecaps, the Comfy Crawlers are matched with a shirt with little pads for their elbows to keep them safe on the go. For 20 percent off from Gissy Bella, enter code SFL2008 at checkout!

Protecting your pocketbook, Riders by the Makers of Lee (available at mass market retailers nationwide) keeps the costs well below $20 on every pair of pants you buy. But watch your kids walk, and you can’t tell the difference. With styles like the embroidered flare for little girls, the four-eyed flare for bigger girls and then those jeans for mom, you save yourself time and money shopping to outfit the family. With old Riders handed down (and still standing up to yet another kid) and new Riders in her closet, my daughter gets to just be a kid wherever we go.

Jeanne Sager is a freelance writer and mama (on the move) to Jillian. She lives in upstate New York, works as a newspaper reporter and let’s it all hang out all over the Web including the Mother of All Parenting Blogs, Babble’s own Strollerderby, at her site Inside Out, over at Burbia and of course here on PeekabooPicks. With Jillian in tow, she interviews Grammy nominees, big time authors and the farmer up the road – and she shares her juggling secrets every Monday here on Peekaboo Picks. To be featured in Mama on the Move, send an e-mail her way (mailto: jeannesager [at] gmail.com).