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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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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:

hammeringinmyhead · 05/08/2019 21:33

I'm not familiar with the quality of an emoji backpack but I think when my DS is at school it will depend on the quality and what I spent. Cheapo bag from TK Maxx, replace in summer. Fjallraven Kanken, that'd better last him all of secondary!

FlamedToACrisp · 05/08/2019 21:34

I think they should have new SOMETHING for the start of the new term - but it doesn't need to be a bag. New shoes? socks? pencils?

Sizeofalentil · 05/08/2019 21:34

I would buy new each year of she wanted it, but the old one would be used in the house eg. Laundry bag, storage for gloves and scarves or a picnic bag.

Unless she'd be happy with upcycling it with fabric paint and iron on patches?

icelollycraving · 05/08/2019 21:36

It wouldn’t occur to me to start ‘upcycling’ a bag, school or otherwise. I do keep them as a standby if they are in ok nick. I don’t feel I’m killing the world one backpack at a time.
Is this like a school bag mythical mn chicken thread? How many years you can get out of one school bag.

Pineapplefish · 05/08/2019 21:36

No, my DC don't get a new school bag every year. They should last for at least 2 to 3 years IMO.

Gottoloveabagel · 05/08/2019 21:37

How weird people saying they buy new every year! Mine don't get new uniform or anything if it fits, bloody ridiculous! People have money to burn and no thoughts of the waste they are causing! What lesson are they teaching their children?

22Giraffes · 05/08/2019 21:37

DD will go back to school with the same bookbag and lunchbag. DS will be using a 'new' condition bookbag from a friend who left the school, and I will be buying him a new lunchbag because his stinks of old cheese/yog despite being scrubbed and washed. Both will get new new polo shirts as they have grown out of theirs.

zackly · 05/08/2019 21:37

Is this like a school bag mythical mn chicken thread? How many years you can get out of one school bag.

The point isn't to make it last as long as possible, it's not to chuck it just because an arbitrary milestone has been reached.

AliTheMinx · 05/08/2019 21:38

Oh yes. A new bag is essential. It will make her feel good!

Passthecherrycoke · 05/08/2019 21:39

I honestly think an up cycled bag is going to
Look a bit shit and would be worried about my children feeling embarrassed about it

I have lots of different bags, I don’t see why school children Need to use the same one each day. She could have a new one and still get plenty of use out of her old one

LadyPeterWimsey · 05/08/2019 21:40

DS started secondary school 10 years ago this coming September and I spent what felt like a fortune on a North Face backpack. He is still using it - in fact he's taken it abroad this summer - and it's in not bad condition, albeit it could do with a clean.

I have spent between £40 and £55 on backpacks for each DC as they started secondary school. The other DC will keep their school bags until they break or outgrow them. Not only can we not afford new bags every year but it's so wasteful.

Nicknacky · 05/08/2019 21:40

Nothing weird at all about buying a new school bag😂

NoSquirrels · 05/08/2019 21:42

My child will always get a new bag for a new year. Unless you're potless why wouldn't you??

Because I like not being ‘potless’ and part of how I stay that way is only to spend on things that are needed.

LadyPeterWimsey · 05/08/2019 21:42

So yes, we have managed 10 years and counting out of a school bag. Any advance on that? Do I win the Mumsnet mythical chicken prize?

oopsididitagain1 · 05/08/2019 21:44

I think it's nice to get a new bag for the new school year. Get her a new one, and wash the old one and give it to charity, and another kid will get a new bag for them and it won't go to the landfill!
Win win!

BananasAreTheSourceOfEvil · 05/08/2019 21:46

One of my three will be getting a new bag this September as the wheel has broken (trolley bag, they have ridiculously heavy bags and my kids are small) but it will be kept for use as a backpack for the beach/swimming etc.

I hate waste, it makes me so cross. Ex-MIL chucks out clothes when they are outgrown because she can't be arsed to take them to charity. I used to pretend I knew people who would have them just so I could save them from the bin.

Kkd85 · 05/08/2019 21:46

My son gets all new school stuff every year old school bag is used for sleepovers and trips away etc. I used to get all new stuff every school year and so will ds

icelollycraving · 05/08/2019 21:46

Lady I would most definitely like to present 🐔🏆!! Good going!

stucknoue · 05/08/2019 21:47

I would clean it and replace when it breaks.

Epanoui · 05/08/2019 21:47

DD is 12 and has had three school bags. School book bag in infants, furry Smiggle rucksack (birthday present because it was expensive) in juniors, Fjallraven Kanken for secondary because the Smiggle one did look a bit babyish and I understood the need to start secondary school with something that seemed a bit more grown up (she still uses the furry one for sleepovers and stuff). She won't be getting another until the Kanken breaks or perhaps if she asks for one as a birthday present or Christmas present! It is incredibly wasteful to buy new stuff just because. What about the planet?

Teacakeandalatte · 05/08/2019 21:49

ladyp Its not a school bag but I use the changing bag I got when dd now 15, was a baby, as my work bag.

DowntonCrabby · 05/08/2019 21:49

Agree with so many PP’s re waste.

I have a rucksack I had when I was 14 and it still gets used now, I’m so grateful my parents kept a lot of the stuff I decided I was too oldcool for in my teens.

Teen DD is going to re-use her bag, it’s only a year old.

DS would like a new one, has had the same one for p1&2, it’s too small now. The new one will be bought thoughtfully so it’ll have a couple of years school use plus can be used for travelling.

Original poster

expatinspain · 05/08/2019 21:49

I won't be throwing it out. We've been using it as a bag for overnight stays and sleepovers etc.

She wants a new one and for those that asked how much the new one costs, it 17€.

OP posts:

smurfy19 · 05/08/2019 21:49

I would buy a new one, my 3 kids get as much excitement over school bag shopping as I did when I was younger. Our local food bank are taking donations of old school bags to give to kids using their service. Might be a way to compromise with you DH x

FiveLittlePigs · 05/08/2019 21:49

Always a new bag and new shoes for the new school year! Didn't mean we chucked the old ones away, just reused them for other things.

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