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?

If people buy new bags every year but then re-use the old ones, how many bags do you end up with?

Could she have a new bag for school, but perhaps relegate this old bag to another purpose such as a swimming bag or for another hobby, or even for general household use like storing some loose items in the garage or something? Or for use in the boot of the car with some breakdown/bad weather essentials in it? It saves the waste and DD gets a new bag too.

New. Last years is shabby. Found an aqua Hype rucksack in TK Maxx for only £12.99. More than happy with that. New stationary next week too 😊

New. Last years is shabby. Found an aqua Hype rucksack in TK Maxx for only £12.99. More than happy with that. New stationary next week too 😊

I always re new ds school bag. If its still in excellent / good condition then keep as a spare or put in charity shop / donate to school.
If its broken.. Bin
If. It's in a tatty condition dh will. Use for work.. He's a mechanic and it just gets lily anyway.

I dunno I’ve bought my daughter a Smiggle bag for starting p1 later this month. She’d had her eye on it and so I bought it as a special starting school gift for her. She’s so happy with it but yeah it wasn’t cheap.

I think if it’s still in good condition next year she will reuse it but my hopes are not high.

Look I agree that waste isn't good. Usually I take care and maybe I have some blind spots.

But in between helpful posts some of these posts are really sanctimonious. Fair enough if bags aren't a thing at your school... But to be baffled that a child could like "things??" Seriously? DS2 is into Lego. He just got a new Ninjago baseball cap (needed) and loves it. Hardly a moral failure or baffling!

@TayoTheLittleBus It feels good to make them feel special starting back to school, it will stay in good condition, if your DD no longer wants it, another child would be delighted.
I really don't see the harm in a new bag, it is one bag a year and usually lasts years for after school activities.
I hated not having a nice bag or pencils or trainers, it left me with an inferior complex for many years, I like my DC to know they have everything they need for school, it gives me comfort.

It's the excitement & tradition of getting a new school bag in the summer holidays. They don't need to cost much, the old one would be used for picnics/sleepover's/PE bag.
I can't believe some parent's don't replace & keep for years ! fashion changes, these bags are thrown/dumped/kicked/on the floor 5 x per week for months! who has a bag that's reusable after 2 years at school? Unless cost ££££ is immaculate then I'd keep too, although unlikely. We can " make do" but even as a child/low income we ALWAYS got a new school bag!
Year 9 in Sep. New blazer/bag/shoes/shirts/skirts/pencil case etc.
Sod off about landfill! there are many, many alternatives & of course the bag will be used for other things.
Unless you live off the grid, you don't drive, don't use electronics, don't light your wood burner, don't read newspapers & only eat raw veg, you're being pretentious & TIGHT!
Most of us, with an ounce of intelligence, are making conscious decisions about waste/rubbish/health/environment.
With this in mind, I will still continue to buy a new school bag every year. ( + pencil case )
I will also continue to recycle, use less plastic and be mindful of our consumables.

I dropped $75 on my child's new brand name backpack last week but it's large,roomy and well made

Ds is using his North Face bag for the third year running, he’s going into year 10. He was offered a new one last year and this year, along with a pencil case, but happy to keep his bag and his Hype pencil case. In his words ‘what’s the point, both still look new’, and they do, the teen has a point.

I am LOLIng at that old uninformed Mn classic- it’s a class issue- being thrown out about new bags 🤣🤣🤣 as for “it does happen in private schools”- ah the old “scruffy toffs” stereotype. I can only assume you haven’t been to many private schools.

I can only assume you haven’t been to many private schools.

No, I only went to one. For 12 years.

I’m not being ‘tight’ (the local teens called, they want their vocab back) Raspberry, I’m being practical. My daughter likes her current backpack, which was only bought in spring as a gift. No need for new there. My older son is a creature of habit. He would, perhaps, tolerate the exact same bag if I could find one, but I can’t and don’t really need to as it’s seemingly inbreakable and he is perfectly happy with it. The younger boy is going into year 3. He doesn’t need a bag; his homework sheets fit in my backpack, he carries his water bottle because it allows him to sprinkle water all over the show on the walk home from school, and he hasn’t brought a reading book home since Christmas as he doesn’t need to follow ORT any more. He has nothing to carry so doesn’t need a new bag.

👆 - Good points about upcycling or keeping the old bag for spare etc.

If it’s something that bothers your DD, then I’d let her get a new bag. Not a hill I’d choose to die on here, just for the sake of making an ideological point/saving a small amount of money.

The old me would have bought new every September. The new me worries a lot more about landfill and waste, so I would wash it and get her a new one for Christmas if needed.

if its not completely broken, it gets reused. 2nd year for our backpack now (i had to fix some minor things), the bookbag from nursery/
reception will get handed down to the little brother.
private school with uniform backpack though, and most kids wear uniform etc until it falls apart, and showing off with “stuff” is very much discouraged (one of the reasons we love the school, i really dislike the fashion parade with bags, coats, light up shoes etc at primary age).

Another vote for North Face for quality and longevity.

Got mine in 2005 (when it definitely wasn't cool). Still using it today to carry my work stuff. I think I might need to replace the elastic on the front soon, but that's it.

@Nacreous i just replaced my The northfacd laptop backpack. bought around 2008, used daily with A LOT of stuff in it (usually 2 laptops plus books)

New lunchbox and school bag every year is unnecessary and wasteful in my opinion- one decent back or kickboxing that's lasts a few years makes much more sense. Starting a new year at school isn't an achievement, it's progression. Getting a new bag for a new job- I get that, but a decent bag that works for a years doesn't need a yearly replacement

Ds got his Fox rucksack going into year 8. He us 23 and still uses the bag for work now. It managed to survive the school years!

Wtf is a Fjallraven Kanken?? Is that a new middle class bag craze?

Wtf is a Fjallraven Kanken?? Is that a new middle class bag craze?
Theyve been around a while and fairly expensive.
Earlier this year face book was full of fake ones!

aroundabout1
This us the bag.

@Passthecherrycoke DD is at private school and has had the same bag for at least three years. Don’t know what’s wrong with it - she’s never asked for a new one and they cost a fortune because they have to have the school crest on it and I need to find ones she can wear over or under her bizarre hooded uniform cloak!

We’re not “toffs” but I can assure you the stereotype - here anyway - is alive and well, manifesting itself in many ways. My boss - who has one at Headington and two at Millfield - is v careful with money and has proudly been wearing the same basic wardrobe to work for over 20 years. Bobbly jumpers do not phase her and I imagine neither do scuffed bags.

OP, I would keep the bag. Especially if the DC is not “kind to her things”. I wouldn’t be inclined to reward that with a new bag. Also, as others have said - bags can come at any time of year. If it needs replacing before Spring term you could give it as a Christmas gift.