Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
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:
BuggerOffAndGoodDayToYou · 11/08/2019 19:09

I work in a school in England. Our pupils are not asked to provide anything. All books pens, pencils etc are provided. All pupils have to use a school book bag (yes ALL from reception to year 6), other bags are not allowed because of limited space. Bag is needed for taking homework and letters to and from school. TBH the families who seem to buy the new book bag and uniform sweatshirts every year (for some it’s every term!) are our FSM families.

Proseccoinamug · 11/08/2019 19:25

Has she asked for a new bag? I buy new things as and when - when they grow out of the design or the bag breaks. And pass the old one on to younger sibs or friends.

I don’t buy new uniform or shoes for the new school year either unless they need it. I buy as they grow / things break.

If she’s desperate for a new bag I’d get her one but not if she’s happy with what she has.

Proseccoinamug · 11/08/2019 19:27

So what do they take their PE kit in buggeroff?
Our school have book bags in every year too but they still need a rucksack for PE. Then for pencil cases, swimming stuff, maths sets, water bottles, etc in juniors.

NotEven · 11/08/2019 19:31

I'd buy a new one assuming money isn't an issue.

BuggerOffAndGoodDayToYou · 11/08/2019 19:58

So what do they take their PE kit in buggeroff?

A school drawstring bag (no other bags allowed) and PE kit only goes home at the end of each half term.

dementedpixie · 11/08/2019 19:59

Gross! Must be disgusting by then

Youmadorwhat · 11/08/2019 20:02

In Irish schools they just wear a school tracksuit on PE day! No time for getting changed during the school day!!

Gottoloveabagel · 12/08/2019 09:15

@dementedpixie most schools I know only send PE kits home every half term (in primary school that is). My daughter's kit never seems to be disgusting! If it was really muddy then it would get sent home earlier. The trouble is when they go home they often don't come back!

dementedpixie · 12/08/2019 10:41

Well every school I know takes PE kit in on PE days and then brings it home that same day.

BuggerOffAndGoodDayToYou · 12/08/2019 11:22

In primary schools PE days can vary, there isn’t usually the rigid timetable that operates in secondary schools.

Youmadorwhat · 12/08/2019 11:24

@BuggerOffAndGoodDayToYou all primary schools I have worked in have a hall/sports timetable.

dementedpixie · 12/08/2019 11:32

My 2 had set PE days especially as it was a combined campus so the hall was shared by 2 schools

EmeraldShamrock · 12/08/2019 11:36

It is a waste of time taking in PE kits.
I can imagine waiting on 25 p1s to dress and undress, ours wear a proper full uniform.
I know from friends in the UK they leave the kits in school for months, plus they need trainers for at home too.

Allington · 12/08/2019 11:39

@Youmadorwhat

All of that, and raise you a ream of printing/photocopying paper, 2 boxes of tissues...

Grin
HorridHenrysNits · 12/08/2019 11:40

The idea that a new school year should mean a new bag just because it's a new school year is stupid and irresponsible. However, as this one is a bit knackered for everyday use now and can be used for other, less everyday things, in this instance it's fine.

Youmadorwhat · 12/08/2019 11:48

@Allington thankfully paper and tissues are provided under the school budget! 🤣

@EmeraldShamrock totally!! I couldn’t imagine waiting for my class to get dressed and undressed by the time we did that PE time would be finished!!🤣🤣 ours wear the school tracksuit in PE days!! I feel like this is also why uniforms don’t get lost or swapped here either 🤔😬

Youmadorwhat · 12/08/2019 11:51

@Allington although I have just remembered that I pay €40 for photocopying fees etc 😫

BrokenWing · 12/08/2019 11:58

ds(15) is in 4th year at secondary and still has the same North Face rucksack since first year, it looks a bit tired/worn in and I have offered a new one but he says its a waste of money as this one is still good, I maybe taught him too well as I can see him taking the same bag to uni if it's still usable 🤣. He is also wearing last years jacket, trousers, jumpers and shoes (some bought mid year) that still fit.

He is really money/waste savy when it comes to material things, will quickly say it is not worth buying something if he doesn't see the use/value in it, or has something else that will do. Pity he isn't as money conscious when it comes to wasting it on PS4 in game purchases!!

Jeffter · 12/08/2019 12:10

All those suggesting that old school bags got sent to the charity shop - do you really think they will want a slightly faded, obviously well used school bag? Charity shops aren't there to absorb your guilt about buying unnecessary stuff, they need stuff they can actually sell on.

Bags, shoes etc for school should get used until they're worn out or outgrown. What are you trying to prove by replacing perfectly good items with a virtually identical item? Is it some kind of "I'm not skint" signalling? I genuinely don't get it.

CassianAndor · 12/08/2019 12:19

Everything is provided at DD's school so absolutely no stationery needed. Bag is used for very little indeed, she could easily go in without it most days.

She wears her PE kit on PE days. I say days, they only do PE once a week which is a whole other thread. They used to do as a PP said and take it in every half term, it was fine, they're only wearing it for a short period once a week and it's a city school so no mud in sight!.

BuggerOffAndGoodDayToYou · 12/08/2019 12:41

@BuggerOffAndGoodDayToYou all primary schools I have worked in have a hall/sports timetable.

And all those I’ve worked in (including current one) and the one my children attended had a very loose timetable which changes frequently and if outdoor PE was missed on (say) Monday due to bad weather or a dead fox (yes genuinely) then they could have an ad hoc session thrown in on Wednesday. The hall may be “booked” for the first session every Tuesday for Y3 but this week there is a fire safety presentation for Y5 so Y3 will have the hall on Monday morning instead. That’s why our children have their PE kit in school all the time.

HappyParent2000 · 12/08/2019 12:43

Can you personalise it? If so clean it up, then go to town ageing it! With a bit of needlework you can make it quite unique!

Proseccoinamug · 12/08/2019 14:00

All those suggesting that old school bags got sent to the charity shop - do you really think they will want a slightly faded, obviously well used school bag? Charity shops aren't there to absorb your guilt about buying unnecessary stuff, they need stuff they can actually sell on.

Erm, are you really suggesting that there aren’t plenty of families who will be delighted to find a perfectly usable school bag that’s just slightly faded, in a charity shop?!
I’d be fairly chuffed myself!

Sukeyb · 12/08/2019 14:34

If this is your biggest dilemma at the moment, lucky you!

katieflook · 12/08/2019 20:53

I don’t think it’s unreasonable at all! There’s nothing wrong with wanting your child to have a new clean and smart bag! I think if she wants a new bag then by all means get her one, and give the old bag a wash and either use it as a spare or give it to a charity shop!