Carrying school bags

[Rebecca1971]

We walk our 8-year old son to school. About 15-20 minutes walk each way depending on mood ...
I always carry his backpack for him which is quite heavy with all the books he carries back and forth, and think my husband should do the same on days when he walks him to school. He refuses.
My point is that it can't be good for a developing spine/shoulders to carry a heavy bag twice every day.
Does anyone agree with me?
Any orthopaedic surgeons on here who can offer a professional view on this issue?

What is Eric time ?

May I suggest that books are constrained to paperbacks only which are lighter?

Why does the pencil case have to go to and fro? (unusual for 8yo, but maybe he doesn't spend all day in a home classroom?)

Agree with others re homework sheet folders.

Eric time - Everybody Reads In Class

I can believe that the bag is that heavy - I look after two children that age who go to a prep school and the amount of books, folders and a betc that they have to cart to and from school is ridiculous plus musical instruments and a massive sports bag that has to come home every two or three times a week just so a pair of socks and a t shirt can be washed. They are not even allowed to use a back pack, it has to be a shoulder bag.
If I was their parent I would kick up a real fuss about it.

Hell no, they carry their own! they have similar apart from homework folder which only has very recent hw in in - no need to cart all to + from every day - my view is if they choose a heavy library/eric book it's their choice not mine so they carry it - i do carry dd's cornet twice a week as she has bag and packed lunch to carry.
Really can't see the problem they're hardly going to collapse from the weight!