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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To buy a new school bag?

50 replies

MrsMillhouse · 27/07/2021 19:58

Nothing wrong with his old one, but I think the exciting part of going back to school is new stuff: particularly a new bag which you get to choose etc!

Aibu.

OP posts:
Aroundtheworldin80moves · 27/07/2021 20:02

Its your money at the end of the day. Personally I get stuff as its needed... September, January, Easter, May... random term day.

Only new things DD1 is getting are new shoes, socks and tights. DD2 has needed a bit more

breakfasty · 27/07/2021 20:04

I wouldn't get a new one every year but yes I had fond memories of choosing a new pencil case etc.

Champagneforeveryone · 27/07/2021 20:04

Depends if he really wants one. DS had a Berghaus that lasted for four years and never showed any inkling to have a new one. We only updated because he needed a larger one for sixth form.

I wouldn't replace it "just because" but if his heart was set on one I'd probably give in.

Original poster
MrsMillhouse · 27/07/2021 20:05

He’s needed new polo shirts, he is a bloody messy eater and the old ones were bogging, but I wasn’t buying new ones close to the end of term. And he is getting a bit tall so needs new trousers... and shoes...

OP posts:
Willwebebuyingnumber11 · 27/07/2021 20:11

Absolutely get him one! My DD loves choosing her new stuff every summer holidays. New bag, coat, jacket, pencil case, lunch bag.
Shoes she usually gets in the summer too but occasionally she’s also needed some around Christmas time.

Norabird · 27/07/2021 20:14

I wouldn't if it isn't needed. It's just more crap going into landfill.

AlmostSummer21 · 27/07/2021 20:15

@Willwebebuyingnumber11

Absolutely get him one! My DD loves choosing her new stuff every summer holidays. New bag, coat, jacket, pencil case, lunch bag. Shoes she usually gets in the summer too but occasionally she’s also needed some around Christmas time.
What happens to all the 'old' ones?

It's really not kind to the planet!

Usually get new pencil cases & pencils etc, but the used ones get used at home.

No need for new bags, costs, jackets etc unless they are broken/too small.

Polmuggle · 27/07/2021 20:18

@Willwebebuyingnumber11

Absolutely get him one! My DD loves choosing her new stuff every summer holidays. New bag, coat, jacket, pencil case, lunch bag. Shoes she usually gets in the summer too but occasionally she’s also needed some around Christmas time.
Please tell me you're not buying her a new one of each of these every summer?!
Willwebebuyingnumber11 · 27/07/2021 20:19

Bags get used for other things. Same for lunch boxes, days out etc. Also have 2 younger children not in school yet so they use them sometimes too. Or they get used for doll play.
Coats & jackets also go to being “playing out” ones until they’re too small and then they get passed on to younger cousin / charity shop.

Original poster
MrsMillhouse · 27/07/2021 20:20

He tends to need a new coat / jacket every year as he grows. But he doesn’t need that for going back to school (August) but will at some point. Granny likes to buy that for him. Grandma likes to buy new shoes (which he does absolutely need)

OP posts:
Willwebebuyingnumber11 · 27/07/2021 20:20

@Polmuggle yes I do. Coats & jackets tend to not fit after a year or if they do, they’re shabby or marked so are used for playing out in until they not longer fit.

OutOfTrousers · 27/07/2021 20:20

I wouldn't just for the sake of it unless the child requested it and gave a good reason. I buy things when they need them, certainly don't buy a new coat every year!

Original poster
MrsMillhouse · 27/07/2021 20:21

Bags will be used for other things.. sports clubs.. days out... for carrying hot wheels about...

OP posts:
Willwebebuyingnumber11 · 27/07/2021 20:22

She is currently using last years school bag as her swim bag.
Another bag has dolls clothes in, in her bedroom.
She’s only 7 so is still growing and we’ve never had more than 1 year out of a coat? I don’t buy too big so they last longer, I buy what fits.

kowari · 27/07/2021 20:24

I only replace things when they need replacing. If I needed 'new' things like pencils for home I might buy a new set for school and use the old school ones for home, but otherwise keep things until worn out or outgrown.

DS got his school bag in year 5, he's going into year 11. He doesn't see any need to replace it yet, he might want a new one for sixth form.

I always think what I plan to do with the old item when I replace it, will it be used by me or someone else, go to landfill, be stored unused on it's way to landfill?

AlwaysLatte · 27/07/2021 20:24

I always used to buy them new ones every September as their tastes changed in primary but now they have the standard Nike black ones in secondary we just replace them when they look worn. Same with pencil cases (although new contents every term).

lachy · 27/07/2021 20:25

DDs lunch bag went in the bin. It was beyond saving, and even though it was cleaned thoroughly after each use, it was falling apart so she will need a new one.

Coat I've got 2nd hand, she's okay for jumpers but she's shot up so will need shoes, dresses nd tights as well as a pe kit!

AlwaysLatte · 27/07/2021 20:28

We stopped buying fabric lunch boxes years ago, and have had the plastic sistema ones for years - reassuring that you can properly wash them in hot water every day.
Coats are usually replaced every year, they always grow!

reluctantbrit · 27/07/2021 20:28

Depends. We had bags which were delegated to other uses, swimming lessons, taking on day trips, sleepover etc.

Just because - no. Too wasteful and that was one of the reasons I refused to buy anything connected to phases and/or characters.

Lots of stuff needed replacements, pencil cases are normally ruined, clothes if outgrown, stationary etc.

Notaroadrunner · 27/07/2021 20:29

Youngest Ds school bag will be on its 4th year in September. Second year for pencil case. Eldest Ds got 6 years out of his school bag and it's still fine. Once washed they are as good as new. Youngest lunch box will be 3 years old. I don't see the sense in replacing something that doesn't need to be.

Dd's school bag will be on its 6th year in September. As will her school shoes - I kid you not! She refuses to get new ones as she wants to see if she can see out secondary school in them. Her foot size hasn't changed and the shoes are still in good nick as she hasn't far to walk to school and only wears them for school, so who am I to argue Grin

IceCreamAndCandyfloss · 27/07/2021 20:32

In primary their tastes changed often so they tended to have new bags every year. In secondary they ask when needed or they fancy a change but it’s less frequent.

Uniform we bought as and when needed as they outgrew, it got stained etc. Coats yearly for winter and summer as hated big clothes so bought the size needed.

kowari · 27/07/2021 20:33

She’s only 7 so is still growing and we’ve never had more than 1 year out of a coat? I don’t buy too big so they last longer, I buy what fits.
I don't buy too big, usually only two sizes bigger than the last one so they always last at least two years.

DS went to primary overseas and school uniform was generally only available in even numbered sizes. If one size is outgrown then two sizes up will only be a bit big.

TheGumption · 27/07/2021 20:33

Not if they don't need new ones... more tat in landfill

Willwebebuyingnumber11 · 27/07/2021 20:43

@Notaroadrunner that’s crazy she’s the same size shoe! My DD is Y3, started nursery in a size 6 and is now a 13!

TheFairyCaravan · 27/07/2021 20:48

I bought DS2 a bag in Year 10 and it lasted him all the way through until he left university and his first 6 months of work. It did cost me about £70 tbf, but it was so much better than repeatedly buying cheap crap that ended up in landfill.