To be amazed that people still haven't bought their school uniform?

Normally I’m really early but this year did one child’s school shoes this weekend and just picked up a few bits of spares. Stock seemed fine and I was pleasantly surprised as was expecting shoes to be a struggle.

We were late because that child genuinely didn’t have a free day with me to get to the shops all summer. I did my other daughter a couple of weeks ago but I’m glad as I think eldest has grown again through holidays. I was shocked at how big her feet had got. Most of the time other than starting a new school people have items in different sizes, things that can tide them over etc.

You are AMAZING @llamajohn. So organised that you have spare time to criticise other people who aren't as amazing as you.

Two reasons why I don't always have school uniform all sorted before the start of term. DS1 in particular seemed to have growth spurts over the summer holidays. So no point in buying until I saw what size he needed. He has been 6ft 2" for a year now (at 16yo) so uniform all sorted this year as he seems to have finished growing (I hope.) The other reason is that I'm just not a very organised person. Maybe it's a character flaw? If I'm not under pressure, it ain't getting done.

I haven't done all mine because I just can't be bothered, I've had better things to do and the uniform is widely available in supermarkets. They have enough for the first day or so. It'll be fine.

Because i have adhd and unfortunately I lack the skills to be organised and struggling with burn out having a disabled daughter

I only work well under pressure.

I don't think the OP cares since they've commented again doubling down on their original bullshit smug post 🙄

What's the issue with the old back pack? if it's not falling apart it still fine. you dint need new of everything every year

I don’t comment often OP and I’m terribly sorry you are amazed and whatnot but there are a myriad of reasons why people leave uniform shopping quite late and frankly I’m amazed that some of them wouldn’t occur to you before making such a smug post. I feel sorry for your fellow friends and parents on the WhatsApp group with such a judgemental person looking at their messages. Ideally everyone could do things earlier and be as supremely organised as you but newsflash - people can have their own circumstances that differ to yours.

Finances, for one. Some people are away. Children grow and often people want to buy as late as possible to ensure they get their money’s worth given how astronomical uniform can be and also to ensure that things fit. Family dynamics can be different to yours too, maybe a grandparent or carer or someone not as familiar had to step in and they aren’t sure what to buy. Either way, hopefully the thrust of all these messages has taught you to spend less time being amazed and more being understanding.

Because they have been juggling work and childcare, maybe health stuff, maybe financial stuff, maybe family issues, maybe the child has grown more than expected, maybe there are mental issues, maybe they have just been busy... All sorts of reasons. Best not to be smug.

At that age, kids can grow a fair bit between June and the start of September…

Waiting for payday? Away on holiday? Concerned about a possible growth spurt? There are many possible good reasons.

Stop judging on something that is not affecting you.

My personal example:

DS is going to a brand new school that will still have the last parts being built as they start.

We had absolutely no information on what their uniform was until 10th July. No idea of colour, what was/wasn't compulsory etc. Could only buy white shirts in advance.

Anyway, the blazers are twice as much as other schools. We also need items such as football boots, shin guards and mouth guards whichi had no idea he needed, since its been over 20yrs since I went to school.

So other than white shirts I couldn't get anything early.

He's had a massive growth spurt the last few weeks so I also now need to buy new trainers he can use for PE, on top of school shoes.

Unfortunately, our car needed a major repair which took priority since I need a car for work to attend clinics and visit patients at home.

So yes, now I'm stuck getting 80% of the uniform last minute.

So what's the problem for you? Your child had everything already, that's nice. Someone buying a book bag from reception tomorrow morning isn't going to upset your day is it?

I still find back to school adverts in July a bad thing to see. And I have no child at school.

I'd like double VAT on Christmas things on sale before 1st November.

Yet another twat thread which boils down to "I can do it, why can't you?".

I hope you get your arse handed to you, OP, and this thread turns to tumbleweed quickly, starving you of your smug attention-seeking.

Waiting for pay day i suspect.

My mum used to leave it until the last minute for me because I kept growing at rather a rapid rate

Some people are skint. HTH

But this assumes you're not changing school. Those who are moving house or going up to a new school may not have? My oldest has 4 school offers for secondary between offer day and September!

Good for you.

I'm fine financially but time poor. I have most certainly not been thinking about uniform for September since April. One half hour on the Marks website and a trip to Clarks did us. It's just not a big deal. Other people's uniform needs are even less deserving of headspace.

Bully for you, not everyone is able to do that.

We’ve all got busier/More exciting lives than you OP. This thread is a yawn…

Because it's not as if it's a surprise that your child will go to school and need uniform.

And how does this knowledge magic up extra money or change people's challenging circumstances?

I only got paid on Friday, yesterday there was an accident meaning roads were closed and traffic chaos, so I went today into town for Clarks to buy school shoes.

That ok with you??

I suspect it’s people waiting for payday. That said, our secondary school has changed the uniform for this year and it’s currently out of stock and not expected to be in stock again for FOUR MONTHS! This has been the case since the beginning of August. 🙄