To not buy all new stuff for school each year?

[WhoWants2Know]

My kids think I'm being unreasonable. I've replaced some clothes that they've outgrown or worn out last year, but lots of things still fit and are wearable. I got them lunch bags during the summer term last year, so they are nearly new. Their water bottles and book bags from the last year are still fine.

Does everyone really completely replace all their kids school stuff every single year? My kids are determined that all of their mates have completely new stuff and I'm mean.

[formerbabe]

I replace what needs replacing....not just for the sake of it. What a waste.

[HaveSomeGrace]

Nope I’m not replacing everything. My best friend gave me a huge bag of her daughters old uniform (just finished year 6) and I’ll use the tops from that and what I’ve already got for my own kids in juniors. I’ve bought new trousers for my infants son and secondary son but not new shoes all round and one boy has a new book bag as he’s starting year 3 in juniors so needs one anyway. His brothers book bag is ok for a bit but I will replace soon enough. If my kids started demanding 100% new stuff they’d be told to sos off in no uncertain terms. But then theyre not that way inclined so it works well with uniform being passed on where possible.

[KanielOutis]

We replace as and when we need to. It's a monumental waste of money to replace for the sake of it every year, and teaches children that their belongings are disposable. Clothes and shoes are saved for younger siblings and replaced when they wear out. Bags, stationary and lunch boxes are replaced when they are worn out. I expect a few years at least out of them.

[Claw001]

I replace as and when it’s outgrown or worn. This time round Ds will just be getting new school shoes!

[Thehop]

I replace what is outgrown or worn out only!

I buy as we need through the year.

3 of my D.C. are in uniforms and this September they only need shoes each, and 2 need trousers. That’s all I’m buying!

[WindsweptNotInteresting]

I got new polo shirts for both kids as they were looking really tatty (from all the bleaching when ds gets literally every conceivable liquid all over them ) and I've got ds 2 new pairs of trousers. But I've also just taken 3 of the pairs that survived from last year down in the leg. And that's it for uniform, apart from shoes which they needed.

DD wanted a new backpack and lunch box and I said no as both of these are fine. I also said no to a new pencil case (as she already has 3647 of them) so no, I don't think you are being unreasonable!

[OutPinked]

I have to replace bookbags and lunch boxes every year. I have absolutely no idea what they do with them but by May time they have holes in and are absolutely filthy. I also always replace shoes. Winter coats are kept until they no longer fit, seems logical and I replace uniform when it doesn’t fit. I always get them new socks and tights.

[Elementtree]

No, I only buy what is needed, which this year was just about everything. And I've just realised I forgot p.e. shoes. Bollocks.

[LemonysSnicket]

I definitely got new stationary and a pencil case, and a new bag and shoes every year. Mum wanted to get us excited for school and it worked. DPs parents didn't get him new things though, and he doesn't seem any worse for wear.

[LemonysSnicket]

If they complain, tell them it's better for the environment and saves the turtles

[ScattyCharly]

I replace what needs replacing.

However many of my dd’s friends seem to get a new pencil case almost every week.

Give your dc a talk on the environment!

[Somewhereovertherainbow13]

Only but what needs replacing although in fairness that always meant mostly new uniform. Previously I was just buying 1 set of uniform but now I have to buy 3 lots so definitely can’t afford to replace that each year

[champagnesupernouveaux]

Nope, oldest child going into year 1 from reception, and there's no way I'm replacing everything just to have new. He has new polo shirts as the last lot went a bit grey, but his jumpers and trousers still fit and haven't got holes in, so he's keeping them. I've bought the next size up to have them ready for him, but his old uniform is perfectly good. One jumper has a tiny felt tip stain, but I'm not too fussed about that.

[RB68]

I can't afford to replace all new even though my parents did give me some cash towards school uniform (they do for all grandkids I think because they remember the struggle - 6 kids) and they feel that is where their money can have an impact etc. I replace when needed and if its a big ticket item I make sure that I ask regularly if it still fits etc. So shoes are Ok this yr thank god as replaced summer term (I have always traditionally bought them in April rather than Sept not really sure why to be honest. We had to have a new blazer this yr but only two new shirts needed, although I made an oopsie and bought long sleeved when she prefers short so will prob get some more at some point. She has 2 x skirts but asked for trousers for winter so will also get some of those later. All in all the cost has been spread but it is still a chunk of around £100 without any shoes and trainers

[Kraggle]

Dd is keeping her school bag and some summer dresses that still fit. Everything else has been outgrown even though I sized up. Gone too far this year though and her new uniform is a little bit too big for her!

[Flamingosnbears]

I agree what needs to be replaced replace... I'm sure they would prefer somthing other than school stuff.

[LEELULUMPKIN]

Not bought a single new thing this yr. Ds will be returning with the rucksack that he has now had for 7 years. Still in fantastic condition. He does have severe SEN though and goes to a SEN school so I doubt I could get him to change it even if it warranted it.

[FrangipaniBlue]

Nope I only replace what needs replacing.

Trousers - DS outgrew them in April but wore shorts until they broke up so I've bought new ones for going back next week.

Shirts - I bought short sleeve shirts in April that he says he wants to wear still. I'll probably end up buying new long sleeve ones from Christmas.

Jumpers - I bought new but only to take advantage of the bulk school order free delivery. They're too big so he'll be wearing the old ones until they're too small, so probably from around Christmas.

Shoes - nope, nowt wrong with the ones he's worn already.

PE kit - new but only because he's worn the last one for 2 years and it's now too small.

So basically only his trousers and PE kit are new for next week!

[Lweji]

When I sorted through DS's notebooks, most were only less than half filled. I removed the used pages and he will be going back with the old ones.

No, no need to replace anything that isn't necessary. It's a waste of Earth resources.

[BiddyPop]

Did got a school bag yearly up to 2012 as they would falll apart annually. That years version lasted 2 years and was still just usable but she saw a good one on holiday which we bought, and lasted 4 years (previous one was used for other purposes as a backpack until last few months). That 2014 one will still be used as a backpack but won’t hold the weight of secondary books so we have to replace that.

Non uniform school so new clothes bought as needed (growth usually, or knees gone in tracksuits etc) rather than “for school”.

Old pencil cases, colors, rulers, etc generally came back out. She often bought new erasers and character parers at the book fair in summer term )pocket money) and those stayed in the case again. And we only bought new things if needed.

This year, for secondary, there’s a lot new. But we got a 2nd hand skirt and jumper and jacket, she’s reusing her old pencil case and lots of related bits, and her hockey bag as well. She was more excited about the 2nd hand uniform than us.

But on the other hand, uniform list only called for 4 shirts, 1 jumper, 1 sports top, 1 pair sports socks and 4 pairs school socks. But I bought 5 shirts to have 1 clean daily, same for socks, and while we bought 2 sports socks, we will buy more this weekend and at least a 2 nd sports top - as she’s doing sports 9 times a week there (2 double PE, 1 before and 2 after school hockey, 2 after school basketball, 1 after school Zumba session and Saturday matches - all except Zumba compulsory). We already have the hockey top so that is another sports top as well.

We loose so many water bottles on pitches and off boats that they need regular replacing - but not for school. And as she has long been a fan of hot lunches, her food flask has been around for some years and still fine so not replaced.

Dd knows though that if she does want to do all the extracurricular activities she likes and be able to get nice things from time to time when needed, that she can’t go demanding all new things for the start of school when the old things are still fine and nice. But we are happy, within reason, to change. Things during the year if there is a need (even something that’s still ok but well worn and that she’s found a nice replacement that she loves and will use a lot is a good enough need as we can afford that).

[BiddyPop]

And we did have to get shoes as dd didn’t have any - she lived in runners until this week! (And new hockey boots as her feet had grown out of the old ones - we had replaced runners before the summer at a bigger size so they have not been replaced).

[Queenofthedrivensnow]

I replace what needs replacing. The dds start school every year looking smart and presentable that's the requirement as far as I'm concerned

[Hullabaloo31]

I only replace what needs it. This year mine has needed new socks (worn out) and shoes/pe shoes as outgrown. I turn over the polo shirts as and when through the year so they're fine, and shorts were new at Easter-ish when he went into them as the previous year's were outgrown. I suspect he'll need new trousers as he's shot up, but he won't be into them for weeks anyway so I'll just get them when needed (and all the sizes will be back in stock after the summer hols rush to buy!).

[ifiwasabutterfly]

I definitely replace more in September than any other time of year but that's because I will replace very little after Easter and make it last til the end of the school year.

[rainingcatsanddog]

I replace when needed.

Would you refuse to replace because it wasn't the start of the new school year? My son is particular always seems to need new shoes in May and becomes too tall for his trousers in March. I replace them when they are unsuitable.