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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Heavy Schoolbags. Does anyone use a trolleybag?

139 replies

MyBonnyLiesOverTheOcean2020 · 30/11/2020 11:34

Dd is in year 8 and walks to school but her bag is just so heavy. With Covid they are not using their lockers so having to carry this load around all day as well. When I suggested a trolleybag she wrinkled her nose and said that nobody uses one. Does anyone's son or daughter use a trolleybag for school and if so can I ask which one? Thank you.

OP posts:
Petalbird · 30/11/2020 14:50

Would the school even allow it? It's a nightmare as it is on the corridors at change over without small trip hazards being dragged around

LastGoldenDaysOfSummer · 30/11/2020 14:52

So many saying social suicide, yet they are being used without incident at the school over the road.

They need to keep up.

Original poster
MyBonnyLiesOverTheOcean2020 · 30/11/2020 15:19

So interesting. We obviously need an influencer on Instagram to start using a trolleybag.

OP posts:
JurassicShay · 30/11/2020 16:17

At DDs secondary school they don't have any books to take back & forwards. It's just a water bottle & pencil case, been like it for a few years.

It would be total social suicide to make her take a granny trolly and that's exactly what they would call it.

Brief case wanker springs to mind Grin

BadTattoosAndSmellLikeBooze · 30/11/2020 16:44

Brief case wanker springs to mind

🤣

CorianderQueen · 30/11/2020 17:10

To be fair when I was at school (until 2011) backpacks on girls would have been ridiculed. I used a massive over shoulder bag for five years which killed - so I think we've come pretty far in 9 years.

Get her a backpack with a waist strap for support?

Ginfordinner · 30/11/2020 17:39

What kind of schools does everyone's children go to where they can afford to give the pupils textbooks? Or do the parents have to buy the books?

I thought it was quite unusual these days to have lots of textbooks? When DD was in year 12 she was given a book for psychology, but I had to pay a £5 deposit. I think she was given a biology textbook, but I had to buy the rest. All her homework was set online.

Bugoluu · 30/11/2020 17:41

Just to say I went to a nordic school and definately got teased for practical choices over fashion choices. Schools are schools the world over! There are always things that would be much more practical but sadly are not seen as cool

Namechanger0800 · 30/11/2020 18:22

Wowsers my girls won't even take a rucksack (not even a non sensible rucksack)!never mind a trolley bag.

As much as it's not right secondary school is about wanting to fit in- unless your child has a particularly strong, forceful or don't give a feck type of personality then do t even go there

Veniemmanuel · 30/11/2020 18:46

My sister took one for her first day of secondary school because she was really tiny and the backpack with books was too heavy for her frame. It was social suicide😂 in her words and took ages for the kids to forget -though I think she was exaggerating as she was still pretty popular. But the bag stayed home after the first week.😂😂😂 . I told my parents but they didn't listen

Noodledoodledoo · 30/11/2020 19:02

In 12 years of teaching I have seen 1 student with one, no idea if she was bullied (I didn't teach her at all) for it but she did stand out from the others in school. She was quite a unique child anyway and it fitted with this personality.

Noodledoodledoo · 30/11/2020 19:03

Its about a 50:50 split with the girls with rucksacks and handbag style bags.

Guaranteed the handbag style will be the ones without equipment!

TrixieHeliotrope · 30/11/2020 19:07

When I was at school someone used a rucksack with wheels, it was fine.

AllThatIHave · 30/11/2020 19:26

My daughter is in year 7 and I was getting worried at the amount of things she had to bring. She also brings a hot mug for her lunch so that adds a bit of bulk too. On PE days, they go in their kit so at least don't have to bring that. I bought her a hiking backpack that has a chest strap and waist belt and is waterproof. She is much happier with it than her previous bag. She said that a couple of people have mentioned the size of her bag but not in a derogatory way. She's made quite a few good groups of friends and is an elected rep so not an outsider by any means. She is a practical girl though and whilst she likes to look nice, she won't hesitate to prioritise warmth over looks so probably isn't the most fashionable anyway.

www.argos.co.uk/product/4633246

Originalsauce · 30/11/2020 19:30

Why would the girls with handbag style bags not have their equipment?

AlwaysLatte · 30/11/2020 19:32

It's poor organisation by the school. My sons (one primary, one secondary) both have timetables so only take in what they need that day. All books left in classroom. Oldest's maximum load on 4 days per fortnight is small backpack with just a couple of books and water in, and a separate drawstring bag with rugby kit. I do drop/collect at school gates because neither he nor we want him to use the bus at the moment but he'd be fine with it if he did. The school need to let them keep stuff there!

Aerielview · 30/11/2020 19:32

A school near us banned them a few years ago because students were tracking dog poo into school on the bags' wheels...

EmeraldShamrock · 30/11/2020 19:51

Mine always left books in the classroom and homework online since Covid19 they can't leave them in the classroom in their individual baskets you pay for.
It is a stupid rule there is more chance of a child bringing it in on the book.
They all share sweets on treat day Friday so touching anyway.

Nohomemadecandles · 30/11/2020 20:09

Please don't insist. I was teased mercilessly for a practical but hideously unfashionable school bag and it has genuinely still affected me for years until I grew into a 40 year old who no longer gave a shit. Bad haircut and the wrong bag...

MaisyMary77 · 30/11/2020 20:18

My DD had a Kipling wheeled back pack. The handle hides away and it can be used as a normal rucksack. It was great for days when her bag was full of text books etc. She seemed to like it and was never hassled because of it.

Noodledoodledoo · 30/11/2020 20:27

@Originalsauce

Why would the girls with handbag style bags not have their equipment?
Not enough space in them. Calculator and maths set are the first things to be ditched!
hulahooper2 · 30/11/2020 20:30

My kids school bags weighed a ton , they will all end up with back trouble , I did suggest a trolley , like the laptop bags , but got shot down in flames

StripeyDeckchair · 30/11/2020 20:37

You need to establish why they aren't allowed to use lockers. We actually moved them around yhe school so that Y7 lockers were in Y7 zone etc.
Schools will be working with year groups in bubbles all year so its not unreasonable to expect changes to be made to enable the students to use their lockers.

megletthesecond · 30/11/2020 20:42

One of DD's Y7 friends has started taking a mini wheely suitcase. DD wants one too. Her bag is proper heavy. They have to take so much extra stationery and can't use lockers. It's a long walk in and she's always hunched over.

CurlyMango · 30/11/2020 21:23

No don’t be that parent. It will be horrendous for her.