To send DD to school in damaged boots.

[OwlKiss]

The zip has broken on her school boots.
They do up ok, the zip is bust half way down, so it is harder to get them on and off, as you can't pull the zip down all the way.
They are otherwise fine.
I think it is OK to carry on wearing them, at least until the end of term, when I might pick something up in the sales. My friend is horrified, and it made me doubt myself.
Other people don't rush out buying new ones for something like this, do they?

So they do up fine, it’s just not as easy to get them on?

Sounds fine to me. I certainly wouldn’t be rushing out to buy new boots that still did up and still fit okay!

It’s okay to wait til the sales,esp if you’re skint
Have you looked at clarks outlet,they heavily discount

If she can get them on and off herself, and they're fine once done up then I wouldn't be rushing to replace them. They still function accceptably- if not perfectly.

But as PPs have pointed out, it's a possibility that the zip might break completely in the near future so you do need to be prepared to buy new ones at short notice.

Term ends in few weeks I don’t think it’s that bad that op waits til then to purchase
Not everyone has the money to immediately make a purchase

If you are going to replace them, then surely now is the time as boots get the most wear Nov-Feb? I'm assuming this is primary as most secondary schools have strict rules on footwear. So they'll probably be outgrown by next winter anyway.

My friends dd wore boots with a broken zip for a few weeks as money was tight. I wouldn’t have done it with my dd as we have more disposable cash. But I totally understand her circumstances are different.

Other parents sent their children in school plimsoles for the last few weeks of the summer term as they were the only shoes, that fitted.

As others have said, I would take them back if they’re relatively new. But I’m assuming not.

Do what you have to do. If your dd isn’t that old and wears Clarks, they normally do a boot sale relatively soon and before Christmas.

It's like rain on your wedding day

What's it like having a money tree? Perhaps you can send the op some money? Your its her job comment was vile too.

Can't you just get them fixed?

If they still function safely and are wearable then just keep using them. I don’t understand the outrage. My child goes through hard wearing shoes every three to five weeks. He’s just worn out a pair of sturdy walking boots in four weeks. £80 reduced To £50 in the sale type.

Bits have broken off but they still function and are safe and I’m not buying another pair right now.

Lots of children wear boots. My
Daughter does. We don’t drive and walk absolutely everywhere. Miles and miles a week. Little girls shoes aren’t always the best for that. The lovely Clark’s boots my ex fil kindly bought last year have been brilliant. School has no problem with them.

YANBU at all.

What's it like having a money tree?

Heard a phrase on TV to parrot? Shoes are a necessity, not "money tree" territory.

What are priorities, perhaps (1) house and electricity, (2) food and (3) stuff needed to go to school and work. But yes, if her situation is so dire she cannot do these essentials, then it is what it is.

I wouldn't bother replacing at all as long as dd could get them on/off herself. No wonder we've turned into such a consumerist society if people bin otherwise perfectly fine boots because the zip doesn't go all the way down

Don't get the neglect comment over a broken zip I can assure you it wouldn't cross a Teachers radar as there is so much worse things a parent can do to neglect a child than a broken zip on a school shoe!

I think it depends on age and whether she can get them on and off. I don't think it would be nice to feel "stuck" in the boots.

That said I think it's ok to wait for sales if you are really struggling for money

If the zip works on the top half but sticks on the bottom half it is possible you might be able to fix it. Rub pencil lead all over the sticking part and that should help the zip to work again. Check the teeth on the zip to make sure they all line up properly, you can always rebend teeth back into place with some pliers. Make sure there is no fluff of fabric caught at the bit that’s sticking and dislodge it if you can.

If I was in the same situation I would consider replacing them if I couldn’t fix them. If they are still quite new I would return them, if they where last winters boots then I would just accept they need replacing and do so when I could afford it.
If my daughter was due a growth spurt or had been the same size for ages I might hold off as long as possible so the new ones aren’t grown out so quickly. Or buy some cheaper boots if I knew they wouldn’t be worn long until as her feet are due to grow.

It really depends on the variables. So to answer your question I would say yes and no depending on the circumstances.

A broken zip isn’t neglect, if the bairn was going to school with clothes and shoes that weren’t fit for purpose that’s different but come on, you cannot compare not immediately replacing damaged boots which still fit and are not leaking or causing blisters with neglect. That’s an enormous leap.

Boots are a sensible choice for school in the winter. Wellies are not ideal for walking any distance in. The problem is that school uniforms are frequently designed around kids getting the car to school.

Anyhow, I would not send my kid to school in broken boots if I could afford an alternative. But if you couldn't afford it I wouldn't judge you.

Sorry I would get my dc new boots straight away.
Tescos/ asda do cheap shoes. Charity shops also sell okay shoes if money is that tight.
But I wouldn't send my child to school with broken shoes. It's my job to make sure their needs are met. I would go without if it ment my child got shoes.

As long as she can get them on and off they are fine. When zipped up they will look and function as normal. Why would a ta or teacher even know they were "broken". I zip that doesn't fully unzip is not a reason to bin an otherwise faultless pair of boots imo.

If she's going to struggle with them or its a secondary that's strict on uniform (my DD's secondary would probably pick this up) I would replace or repair.

I probably would replace / repair anyway if DD requested it. Have you checked online for sales, quite a few start pre Christmas if they aren't school boots.

Cheap shoes wouldn’t do one school run for us. Been there and tried it. Such a false economy.

Just a thought though. Could you take the zip off and fabric glue a new one on to the boot?

DD wears a pair of boots some days which have a special trick to putting them on (half broken zip). As soon as they go, I will buy a new pair.

How old is she and how did they break?

Can she manage them and is she bothered?

How old is DD and can she get them on and off by herself?

If she's Reception/KS1 and having to take them off to practice for school plays, PE etc and going to need someone to help her get them on and off each time I'd get her some new ones as soon as you can, older child who can get them on or off for PE alone can probably wait til the sales.

Hang on until they go kaput.