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?

I feel this should be the prize for the bag with the most longevity on this thread www.amazon.com/Zzooi-Waterproof-Chickabiddy-Schoolbag-Backpack/dp/B07FXTG8WZ?tag=mumsnetforu03-21

I've lived somewhere before where people were frugal and I am sure wouldn't replace a school bag every year either. Where I live now is different. Sometimes DC just want to fit in, right bag, right trainers. I try to instill my values (thinking more about brands etc) but I also allow them those feelings of wanting to be like others.

We don't have a great deal of money so sometimes when that's the case the little things matter more... Like a new school bag.

Also, being honest, a Fjallraven Kanken bag isn't bought just based on quality and environmental credentials is it? It's buying into an image as well.

Yes if it's shabby, get her a new one it's only 17€. It's not like you are being wasteful and throwing it in the bin.
I used to love getting all my new stuff for school, ours used to go to my cousins, so never wasted. I intend on doing the same with my son.

Dd1 reused her (much) loved bag for 3 years, her choice. It's completely knackered now so reluctantly she has agreed to a new one

Absolutely buy the new bag! YANBU.

I always buy my youngest a new bag, pens, etc for her return to college (she has SN) in September. I’ve already bought her new bag while there’s a good selection and passed the old bag, that is still in great nick, on to a friend who was delighted. Her child gets a bag that looks brand new, for school and both girls are happy.

I wash ours in machine and they come up lovely.

Shocked at 90% of these replies 🙄 really ladies? 😂😂 get a grip
My kids get new everything for the new school year, and so does every single other person i know..none of my lots school bags/shoes etc are in good enough condition to be used another year 😂

Very judgemental comments tho, op if your DD wants a new bag, buy her one 🙄 never mind what all these Mother Natures say 😂

If you can afford it I would get her a new one and give the old one to charity
What do you think ‘charity’ is going to do with a dirty bag, that isn’t good enough for the op child to use? Is it ok for the ‘poor people’ to use the bag, because obviously they can’t afford a new bag from the proper shops.

Charity shops don’t exist to take in everyone’s tat. No one wants to buy that and it just costs them to dispose of it. But, I guess op doesn’t have to worry about the environmental impact of buying a new bag if she thinks the old one is being used by someone else.

YABU

It’s not good enough to donate to someone else. It’s not broken. It should get reused until it is. I fell into this trap as kids here seem to get new ones every year, when you add the cost of a decent bag 30-60$ to the other school supplies it was getting ridiculous and wasteful.

Mine didn't care and got a new bag when they needed a new bag, likewise with shoes/coats etc. Why would you replace things before they needed replacing.

To be fair the most unreasonable bit about your post op is that you are even discussing it with your dh and he has an opinion about it.

Fjallraven Kanken bags, are really thin,I wouldn't be getting my child one of those.
What I'd say OP is if she wants a new one she can have one and use the old one for swimming,days out, shopping etc.Thats what I do with my older ones.

We also reuse until it breaks or wears out or if trampled by a herd of pigs.
Too wasteful to bin something that has life left in it.
We don’t buy new either- we get second hand from charity shop. Saves stuff from landfill and helps a good cause.
So, for those who buy new every year just pass on to charity shop.

One of those threads that bears no resemblance to real life, where everyone gets their kids new stuff for the new school year.

Not saying it’s right. But it’s the way it is.

We only buy new when it falls apart. I’ve just bought ds a new bag - so he’ll be going with that in September!
Same for dd. She’s got a new one a few months ago. Still going strong so she can wait until it’s falling apart.

I don’t encourage or support a wasteful approach to belongings.

Blimey is this a thing as they get to secondary? . Ds1 is only 9 so his doesn't get weighed down very much yet but I sort of assumed his bag would follow him through for years.

icelollycraving

Thank you!

@TayoTheLittleBus honestly, at my kids large school, that's just not how it is. At all. Where I grew up, it's all new, all the time, then and now. Imagine life being different outside your bubble.

I agree Tayo, never ever heard of anyone I know reusing things for the next year, my kids stuff are so well worn by a year of wear and tear that's there's no way id get another year or even a few months out of it 😂

It was only once we left the UK that I realised how much is done for 'show' there. New bag and coat every single September etc. Not the norm here in Australia. I took a while to adjust but I remember the pressure of having something new and 'good' all too well.

I offered ds a new bag but he declined. Dd says hers is fine. They have new shirts but are reusing some trousers/skirts. If the child doesnt care its pointless buying stuff for no reason

Mine get everything new at the beginning of every school year

I’ve traditionally done this but no more. A waste on many levels. They’re only getting what they need new.

DD had the same winter coat for three years too. Just to upset half of you.

FFS - keep using the bag until it breaks / goes into holes. Get a new one in the sales or something so that you have one to hand when current one breaks. Don't understand the obsession with having new stuff for new term (as it only looks new for about a week IMHO)

Latte
I would love to not need to replace anything
But literally everything my kids wear need replacing by the end of the year.. just tradition up this way, everyone I know goes all out for new school year