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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU or is DP about school bags?

464 replies

expatinspain · 05/08/2019 20:52

DP doesn't think we should buy DD a new school bag just because it's a new school year, he thinks it's a waste of money as the old one isn't broken. I disagree. Her old bag isn't broken as such, zip still works etc, but it's definitely a bit shabby. It's a black emoji rucksack and the colour looks faded and she's not the tidiest of kids, so the inside is far from new. I think unless the bag is still in really good condition, a new school year should mean a new bag. My family were pretty poor and we didn't really have school bags, but i always got a new lunchbox and a new pencil case every school year. I used to look forward to it as a kid! AIBU or is he?

OP posts:
gamesanddaisychains · 06/08/2019 20:36

Sorry for typos and predictive text!

deedeegee · 06/08/2019 20:41

I cannot understand why just because it's a new school year that a new school bag is required, especially as it's not broken etc.. very odd. In the current climate, throwing things away is not acceptable when they can be recycled or given to charity.

loveyou3000 · 06/08/2019 20:49

I'd be inclined to say if you do replace it get a hard wearing yet fashionable one, I've had a lovely cath kidston one for years and a fjallraven kanken that still looks new, as a student who cycles every day with books and a laptop they've done me well and will last for years to come but not sure how easy it is to lose a whole bag at school and they are expensive!

NoSquirrels · 06/08/2019 20:50

Done deal, expat. My DH would be well up for the new bag too, so you’d have no arguments there.

Sooverthemill · 06/08/2019 20:51

I still have my pencil case from secondary school ( wooden). I'm 61. I had a leather satchel in what is now called yr 7 and it lasted until end of 6th form. I also had a blazer in yr 7 that I never grew into... if stuff is in good condition still works/ fits there's no need to get new stuff but a new 'something' is a lovely thing for a new school year. I adored new stationery eg pencils and pens

WorkerBee83 · 06/08/2019 20:52

See what it’s like after a wash or jazz it up with some cool badges xx

Youhadmeathello1 · 06/08/2019 20:55

My son had the same bag from year 6 to year 11. Don’t waste a perfectly good bag.

masterchef98 · 06/08/2019 20:57

I dont replace anything unless necessary. Both mine have decathlon bags they have already used for 2 years and are absolutely fine. 11 year old has a lot to carry so his was about £30 with comfy straps and padding. 6 year old has a mini one that cost about £3 that used to be mine, he used it as an emergency replacement when his paw patrol one broke and has never wanted anything else since.

I am very interested in this putting them in the washing machine idea though! Can you do that with any rucksack, I would never have thought of that? (I dont like buying unnecessary stuff but i do like washing things!!)

JerryGiraffe · 06/08/2019 21:03

If you can afford one and she wants a new one, get it. Wash the old one and donate to charity shop so someone who can't afford a brand new one can still have a new bag.
I have new bags regularly - I buy them from the charity shop, when I'm fed up I send them back to the charity shop and get another. Some might think it's wasted but personally I think it's a win-win, good for me, charity and environment 😊

Starlight456 · 06/08/2019 21:13

My son is having a new school bag . He has had a bottle big water spill in his bag a couple big times so us reluctant to take water bottles and has been buying bottles of water at school. So in my world far better gorbtge environment . His current bag will become his pe bag . His current pe bag was £1 off a car boot. I really don’t feel bad.

EllenMP · 06/08/2019 21:38

My kids don't get new school bags every year, but they do get a new pencil bag and lunch box.

pollymere · 06/08/2019 21:50

Tell him about the ants nest which developed in the sticky residue the year I didn't buy a new bag...

Or use the old one for PE kit once it's been through the wash.

MonsterKidz · 06/08/2019 21:57

i don’t always buy new every year. it really depends on use and wear.

Last year DS reused his bag from the year before. The zip has now broke and he needs a new one.

DS2 has a bag from nursery but it’s a bit small for a full school day so he’ll probably need a new one. The old
one we’ll use for days out/activities etc.

i’d give it a wash and see how it turns out.

Atthebottomofthegarden · 06/08/2019 22:25

Make it last another term and get a new one for Christmas?

We don’t replace them every year, every couple of years works for us. By which time her idea of what is cool has usually changed anyway.

Nofilter90 · 06/08/2019 22:37

Mine get everything new at the start of a new school year.

Raybay · 06/08/2019 22:42

My DD had the same rucksack from yr 1 to end of yr 6. But it was well looked after and she would have used it for yr 7 but wanted something different. It's wasteful to buy a new one every year but then I'm a use it til it's knackered type of person.

Blue7 · 06/08/2019 22:54

gamesanddaisychains I do not care if after your family discussion you are all impressed.

I don't want to do your suggestion. I will carry on as I am but thank you for your families input

Blue7 · 06/08/2019 22:56

Not impressed

Blue7 · 06/08/2019 22:58

My Son does not get everything he wants. I've treated him to a new bag.

CasanovaFrankenstein · 06/08/2019 23:02

... I had the same bag through all of secondary school, also used as sports bag at uni, it then accompanied me travelling across Canada!

Mymomsbetterthanyomom · 06/08/2019 23:42

How does a conversation about a school bag end up about sanctimonious environmentalists??
Anyway....Yes!!!!Get your child a new bag!It's a new exciting school year and it's fun to get a new bag too.People who say they don't buy anything new for their kids for back-to-school are either lying or just miserable people.Children are only in school for a short time,this is part of the fun!

Trebla · 07/08/2019 04:29

And sometimes one halfway through the year if they see one they like or if I think it’s looking to scruffy I just bin it and get new and this is why we are facing a climate emergency. How selfish!

Trebla · 07/08/2019 04:31

bAnd sometimes one halfway through the year if they see one they like or if I think it’s looking to scruffy I just bin it and get newb

This is why we are facing a climate emergency. How selfish!

LolaSmiles · 07/08/2019 07:59

How does a conversation about a school bag end up about sanctimonious environmentalists??
Because buying loads of new stuff that's not needed every year contributes to waste and emissions.
Buy what's needed when it's needed. If a child still fits last year's shirts then they don't need new ones, if the shoes still fit they don't need new ones, if the bag isn't scruffy and ripped then they don't need new ones.
If they no longer fit their trousers then get new ones, if the pencil case is covered in ink and won't wash because it's too scruffy then get a new one. Maybe the new schoolbag will happen half way through the year rather than spending a fortune just because it's September.

If a new bag is needed to look cool then maybe don't spend so much on highly trend orientated bags to start with.

Ithinkmycatisevil · 07/08/2019 08:11

I don’t think I’m going to get dd2 a new bag for starting secondary school in September. She had a hype bag for Christmas (which I brought for about £12 in the sale) and would have to spend £30 or more to get her one as good. It’s absolutely perfect, it’s not even dirty, and just can’t bring myself to spend out on a new bag when she doesn’t need one.

Her sister, who’s going into year 10 also won’t be getting a new bag. Hers is a bit grubby (dragged around school all day, not hung on a peg like DD2s was at primary) but there’s nothing else wrong with it. I don’t feel bad at all about not getting her one, but feel a little mean for not getting a new bad, as staring at a new school. But it looks like I’ve just brought it, so seems wasteful to get another just because.