To not buy kids new stationary/pencil case for September?

[Needstotidyup]

I'm not sure if I'm being sensible or mean. We have loads of stationary and pencil cases in perfect condition at home. I usually just buy everything new in sept for the kids (which is probably why I've accumulated so much crap stationary). Aibu to just sharpen what we have and use these pencil cases or do I need brand spanking new stuff to he the kids motivated to learn?
They will be in year 3 and 5.

We always buy new (more things bought in the year for DS, I don't know what he does with them. School car-park car boot sale )?

They'll need stationary for homework too and if anything like mine, will have inconveiently left their pencil case in their tray.

yABVU as others have said that's the only thing worth going back to school for. My DDs get their bags and pencil cases out at least once a day to arrange them. My trick is not to fill them with everything but hide some things to replenish throughout the year. Also have a stash of homework pencils and erasers only for homework.

My DD is 4 and starts school in September. Should I be sending her with a pencil case and stationery? I hadn't really thought about it til I saw this thread.

My head says that YANBU, Needstotidyup, but my heart thinks you are being unreasonable, because new stationery is such fun - it is full of potential - brilliant drawings waiting to be drawn, fantastic stories/essays ready to spring forth, and all sorts of intelligent and clever answers poised to be committed to paper.

But I enjoy mootling round Staples, browsing for ages, so it is possible that I am mad as a madwoman with a degree in madness from the university of Insanity, and you should ignore everything I have said!!

I'll be treating myself to a trip to the big city later this month to go to Poundland to restock DSS1 (13) - we have a drawer which we keep most of the stationery in, but DSS2 (6) has a habit of helping himself to a new pencil every time he wants to draw something and they disappear into his pit bedroom. DSS1 also seems to have the ability to lose a biro a day week in school . Basically, the rate they lose use stationery is why I only get stuff for them from Poundland, B&M, Wilkinsons, The Works, etc.

I think Poundland had a 2 packs for £1 deal on BTS stationery last August - complete September restock done for about £3.

I used to be tempted by all the nice shiny pencils and pretty erasers. But this year I didn't even look I was very brave. I tipped out Dd's three pencil boxes and made up one of all the crayons pencils and erasers that had never been used or used little, sharpened them all and she's set.
We went back to school last monday the teacher handed out her shopping list, so I'll go from there. 24 packs of crayons (she hands them out as needed) pump top bottles of hand sanitizer, boxes of tissues, and those sanitary wipes for the tables and paper towels. When I get to the shops I'll just get that stuff. Dd doesn't even need to take in the nice box of things I made her, the teacher has it all covered so we'll keep it for homework.

I ever buy any stuff for my junior school kids. The school provides it all.

my mum never got me new stuff for school. I had 2 school bags for the whole time I was in primary school and then got a new one for secondary. I bought a new one when I got my Saturday job and that was it. She would take printer paper from work and bind them for refill pads and even printed off graph paper and music manuscript from online templates for us.

dd1 is 7 and has branded things for school, and new stuff for the start of school and as needed. I buy in paperchase in the sale for lovely erasers and sharpeners and little notebooks for her.
The other stuff gets used during the year, but nice new stuff is essential for the start of term!

Umm, never buy anything new automatically unless it is needed.

My DC probably only get a new pencil case every 3 or so years. Very, very rarely buy pencils etc as have so many in house. Why would you?

YABU I loved getting new pens/pencils/case etc every September. Almost made going back to school worth it, don't be a big meanie

I have made the DDs buy their own out of the WH Smiths vouchers they got for being smartypants high achievers at school. They have only bought what they really needed (pencil cases definitely needed because I bought them El Cheapo ones last year) and blown the rest on books and artist grade felt tips. Which will not be going to school. Ever.

They have plenty of pencils, sharpeners, rubbers, handwriting pens and so on.

They do need school shoes and that will be plenty exciting enough, thanks. (DD1's first word was 'shoes')

So YADNBU.

i have a total stationery fetish and often buy myself a novelty pencil sharpener as a treat ...when DD1 was 5 I got hauled into school because another parent complained that she would not share her brand new special lovely flower eraser with her DD...WTF says I get yer own fecking rubber

YABU! I still remember the thrill yes the thrill of getting new school supplies. Pencil case, pens, erasers and an Oxford maths set.

I miss school

I can't believe anyone sends primary school children in with pencil cases??

this can't be the norm surely?

Wow I guess the overwhelming view is that iabvvvu I will go to town with them next week and stock up. I will use my old stuff as spares. Thanks for the kick up the bum.

It's a prep school so have their own stuff from yr2 onwards.

I'm in Ireland, but dd has needed her own stuff since she started. IIRC I did too.
No geometry though :)

It was all pencil tins at school for me in the 90's, cases were so lame!!

Well, I never realised just how deprived my children are , but then again, nor, I think, do they on this point anyway, they will probably give you a list of other things on which I am

I've never bought my dcs new pencil cases and stationery things for school, just because it's September, except to start secondary, when they need things like scientific calculators.

The only people who justifiably get excited about new stationery each Sept are the TEACHERS!!

I love my new folders and matching notebooks, funky animal print pens, stickers, stampers, pink and purple pens for marking...

Schools provide pencils. Most schools provide handwriting pens. Some schools ban pencil cases.

Can't you just pinch stuff from work?

YANBU - my kids get new gear for starting secondary school then top ups as needed. They definitely don't need new everything every September. I think that's a con by Mr WH Smith - don't buy into it!