AIBU or is DP about school bags?

[expatinspain]

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?

Unless it's worn out if is of a design that is really too young for the child, why on earth would you change it? The fact that so many people think you should is just indicative of how wasteful our society has become.

I was going to post that as an adult I wouldn't buy myself a new bag "just because" but then realised there are probably many on this thread that do ...

give the old one to charity.
Who will probably chuck it in the rubbish. Especially if you haven’t cleaned it. Charity shops simply can’t keep up with the amount of ‘one person’s rubbish’.
It is not the solution for being a consumer oriented society.
Your kid showing up with a shabby backpack will make other kids who have a shabby backpack not through choice feel ok about it.

You should
Be teaching your kid that you only replace items if they are not functional not if they look a little shabby on the inside .

Throwaways society
Waste
reuse
Remind me how many years do we have to stop irreversible damage to the planet? Yes, that’s right not wrong.

DD is getting a new bag this year. The old one did her for 3 years. It wouldn't even occur to her to expect a new bag every year! Just as well really as she wouldn't get it.

All this "going back to school is so expensive"
I'm quite sure it doesn't have to be quite so expensive.

Do your children actually need new shoes or do you or the children want them going in wearing shiny and new stuff for the new beginning?
The same with uniform. Does it still fit ?
Is it really necessary to buy a new one ?
Likewise schoolbags and Smiggle stuff.

So wasteful to throw something out just because of some random date. Replace things when they are broken or the child grows out of them. The incessant desire for new things when old ones are perfectly serviceable plays a major role in climate change.

Going into third year of senior school with the same bag, and did the last four years or so of junior school with just one bag. TBF, school bags are one thing where I buy dear, so I get them from proper outdoor shops. Senior school one is a north face one, it cost a fortune but apart from the zigzagging elastic on the front pouch it's as good as new.

My child will always get a new bag for a new year. Unless you're potless why wouldn't you?? Bit mean to send her off with last years bag, wash it and charity shop.

If it works and is fine and isn't something horrendous that will date (why trend and fashion bags are silly decisions) then no new bag. They could have a new bag half way through the year when it wears out properly.

Washing machine? I don't buy anything new unless absolutely needed. A new school year doesn't mean everything has to be new at all. My girl won't have anything new as it's all fine and fits and she'll get new school shoes probably October/Nov as hers fit her just fine still. But it's your choice, I just feel it's teaching your child to be wasteful for no reason.

Upcycle it.

New badges / tassel / paint it / funky stitching on strap...

I don't like to side with your dh as he sounds a bit bossy and sanctimonious but you can save the money would you spend on a new bag for something dd will enjoy more.

I buy new for both my girls each year and I don’t think twice about it.

A bag lasts 2-3 years in our house. They don't need brand new every year, but bags do wear out. We buy mid price bags like Animal or Hype.

I buy a new bag and lunchbox every year. I keep the old ones as spares; old lunchboxes for picinics, snacks for afterschool clubs etc and the bags for gym clothes, swim clothes, carry necessities for days out, clothes for sleep over. Even used old backpacks as storage for toys and colour books and pens, doesn't have to go to landfill. 😊

Ide keep it until it wears out and either buy her a replacement for Xmas or tell her she cam have a replacement when that one breaks.

DD gets new schoolbag every year. We take the old one and fill it with supplies for Mary’s Meals to pass on to children in developing countries so they can go to school and be fed.

There are options rather than sending to landfill.

I generally bought new school bags each year and kept the old ones for messy things like camping or beach trips.

It’s only a bag. I’d get her a new one if she wants one

YABVVU.

When they wear out, they wear out. But if the bag is still functional (and the design is still age-appropriate) why on earth would you replace it?

I'm even more at the suggestions to charity shop her current bag. Why would anyone want to BUY a faded second-hand backpack? If it's not good enough to use, it's not good enough for the charity shop FFS.

New bag. Definitely not using their pocket money ffs.

New school year New bag

Wasteful to get a new bag just because it is September.

Oh dear, I have been buying new each year without thinking about the waste.

I very rarely had a new bag or stationery but I recall noticing friends getting shiny new stuff each year at the end of the summer and that seeming exciting.

When I went to 'big school' my DG bought us all new satchels. They lasted for our whole school years. In fact, I've still got mine!
However, I bought my DDs new bags each year because I'm a soft touch. One year my youngest wanted a JD bag, the ones you got when you bought new trainers, because that's what everyone had! It lasted all year 🤣🤣🤣