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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:
ButtonMoonLoon · 05/08/2019 21:50

I always buy my daughter a new bag for the new school year - usually a smiggle one if we can get one in the sale. This years is from Aldi though...they’ve got some great ones at a fraction of the price. The old rucksack goes in the washing machine and is either used for other things or goes to the charity shop-so someone else gets to benefit from buying a smiggle bag for a fraction of the price and the charity benefits too.

SchadenfreudePersonified · 05/08/2019 21:51

Mine get everything new at the beginning of every school year, so did I as a child

Bloody hell!

My school rucksack saw me through seven years . . .

Original poster
expatinspain · 05/08/2019 21:52

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. Yes, it was that sort of quality.

OP posts:
cansu · 05/08/2019 21:53

It depends on
do you have the money to buy new
is it so shabby as to bother your dd

I normally do buy a new bag as I buy relatively cheap bags and they always look utterly wrecked by the end of the year.

AudacityOfHope · 05/08/2019 21:54

A new school bag was always one of the most exciting things about going back to school!

I'd 100% buy a new bag. The old one can hang around and get used for other things.

Putyourdamnshoeson · 05/08/2019 21:56

My family were poor and I always had a new bag, pencil case and lunch box as we as all new uniform. I'm now utterly appalled by the ridiculous waste.

We use things until they're no longer useful, that's how I want my dcs to grow up. Not like my parents who (no longer poor) own about 15 coats and ach, my DM has at least 50 handbags. We talk about mad granny.

DD will get new school shoes, as her feet have grown, DS got new ones at Easter, they're still fine. DM thinks I'm cruel and has hinted that she'll kidnap him to go school shoe shopping when we visit. Good luck to her, he'll have none of it.

lifetothefull · 05/08/2019 21:56

It is still possible to buy a new school bag in February if necessary. August is not the only window of opportunity.

Igavebirthtoabanana · 05/08/2019 21:57

My DS1 just finished primary school and he had a Smiggle rucksack that served him amazing four years - and he was very happy to keep using it.

DS2 had rucksack from Landsend that served him 3 years, he will get a new one going to Y4 this September.

As a child, I think I used to get a new bag every year. But we did carry a lot of books in them every day so they did get more abuse than the bags these days.

Morgan12 · 05/08/2019 21:57

This is MN. You absolutely cannot buy something new just because! Don't you know this planet is dying and that bag you send to the landfill will.....make zero difference.

I bought my DS a new one because he wanted a new one. His old one is in perfect condition.

PapaShango · 05/08/2019 21:59

I never get anything new unless its broken or outgrown. Why would you get a new bag or lunchbox if there’s nothing wrong with the old one? Maybe a new pen or pencil or something small if you really want to. But throwing away functioning items just because it’s a new year is ridiculous.

chickenyhead · 05/08/2019 21:59

I buy things as they break here. Shoes are the big new school year expense. Everything else in constantly renewed or replaced if needed.

Putyourdamnshoeson · 05/08/2019 22:00

@Morgan12 imagine people givi g a shit about something other than stuff? Unthinkable

Morgan12 · 05/08/2019 22:01

I honestly can't believe some people have made their kids use the same bags for years and years.

When I was at school from around age 10 onwards you needed a new bag. The other kids noticed if you were using your old bag and you would get teased.

Maybe things are different now.

Chickychoccyegg · 05/08/2019 22:02

i buy new for my dc every year too.
if old ones are still ok they keep them to use for other things (camping/sleepovers ect) or donate to charity shop if they won't use it again.

MsMightyTitanAndHerTroubadours · 05/08/2019 22:02

Buy the child a new bag and down grade the old one for gym kit or something, providing she wants new. If she'd sooner recycle then do that.

Or maybe dh could take it on for something if he is so worried about it not being worn out

it's is all very MNchicken in here over schoolbags. 8)

DanielRicciardosSmile · 05/08/2019 22:03

DS is using last year's bag for next year. The last two years his bag has broken (zip broke/ripped pocket) by July so I'm delighted not to have to go searching for a new one for once, and he's more than happy to keep this one. He might need a new pencil case but he's had the same one for the last 18 months so that's fair going.

ChikiTIKI · 05/08/2019 22:04

I am nearly 30 and still use the school bag I got in year 7. Used it all through high school, 6th form, uni and now to take my stuff to work every day. Why be so wasteful?!

chickenyhead · 05/08/2019 22:06

My kids dont want new bags, they chose the ones they have and they weren't cheap.

You can take used bags to the charity shop if any life left, landfill is not the only option

Original poster
expatinspain · 05/08/2019 22:06

But throwing away functioning items just because it’s a new year is ridiculous. At no point did I say anything about throwing it away, people just made that assumption. She'll still use it, just for a different purpose like sleepovers etc. We are not a wasteful family. She has one pair of trainers for PE that are usually worn out by the time she gets to the new size. We don't have money to burn!!

OP posts:
RiftGibbon · 05/08/2019 22:06

If it was broken I would replace it, otherwise no. We don't need to keep everything for just one season/year and then discard it. That's really wasteful both financially and materially.

Putyourdamnshoeson · 05/08/2019 22:07

@Morgan12 I think maybe things are different, no one at my dcs school gives a shit. And I know, because I work there, but we do live in an area with a strong eco ethos. In any case, my dd would never stand for that nonsense. There's a particularly obnoxious little bully in DS's class who milks his divorced parents for all he can. He's massively insecure and occasionally mocks one oy in particular for having the wrong things, my 7 year old told me 'it's just because he's insecure mum' .

joan12 · 05/08/2019 22:07

I just find this impossible to comprehend. Our DDS are at a super selective private and much of their self esteem among their peers comes from the hobbies they excel at. Which we have spent those extra £ identifying and nurturing! A new bag isn't even on the radar. I forced younger DD into town last year because I felt she must have a new bag for Year 7... made her go to superdry etc because I grew up poor and know what it's like. She wanted NOTHING....finally got the cheapest she could find in sports direct. Half her friends have the same bag.
Save your money!

Dahliachlo · 05/08/2019 22:08

A new school bag every year? My dd1 has just finished secondary school. She had 1 schoolbag from year 7 to year 11, and then when the zip broke we got her a new one for sixth form.

Money is no issue, I just see no point in perfectly good bags going into landfill.

Dahliachlo · 05/08/2019 22:09

And she’s had the same pencil case since Year 7. She’ll be taking it to university with her too.

CatteStreet · 05/08/2019 22:10

Just bought my eldest a new bag after he used the last one for five years ... and it was still functional, just getting a bit shabby. Middle child is on year 3 of his.

They were pretty expensive (Satch), but we've got our money's worth from them (lots of carrying heavy books back and forth).