New school bag and lunchbox every September?

[AvocadoHo]

Light hearted debate with OH.

Making a list of school uniform needed for daughter (8) going back to school.

He rolled his eyes snd asked "why does she need a new bag? What's wrong with the one she has?"

Nothing is wrong with it, it's just a bit grubby and battered. But when I was growing up we had a new bag and lunch box every year. He feels this is excessive.

Is it really that uncommon?

I dont think its uncommon but probably is excessive environmentally speaking if nothing wrong with last one

It’s excessive yes unless something is broken, I don’t replace everything in September I buy as and when it’s needed.

I wouldn’t buy a new one if the olds ones are still fine to use, only if they need replacing for whatever reason

Agree with your OH, it’s pointless, excessive and wasteful.

I buy only if they need them. I buy throughout the year. I see no point in buying new just because it's September

I’m a teacher and almost all the children have a new lunch box/bag in September.

That's crazy - what do you do with the old ones?

For a younger child, they might have paw patrol one year and Fortnite the next. I would get a new one. My teenager's bag doesn't date the same way and cost too much to replace if it's still fine. He himself just cares about having a new jacket and haircut. I would wash the lunchbox and replace if it's torn etc. (Sorry to be more on team dh!)

No idea what's common.

But I'd just wash the bag and use it again. At 8 it shouldn't be a fashion contest and it's a great time to explain recycling, reusing and not disposing of things unless needed to.

Times have changed over the past 3 decades. Global warming is a much more pressing issue and I'd use this as a time to explain.

I think its normal practice to buy everything new but have cut back this year. New school bag for my eldest (teenager), though she'll still use her old one for sleepovers etc. Youngest got a new one half way through the year so he'll be returning with the same one.

The lunchbox and pencil case shopping was my daughters favourite back to school thing, she still remembers ones that she had now and she's 20

I buy one each year as they literally have a, hole in them and are bobbly. I wash them every fortnight in the machine.
New lunch boxes too

I just buy as they wear out for my DS, thinking back it was probably new every September for my DTDs!

It's never crossed my mind to buy new things just because it's the start of the school year! I replace them as and when they need replacing.

I always buy mine a new schoolbag and lunchbag at the start of the school year.
They end up battered, as you say, after a year of use.

I used to have new everything, I used to love going to staples and getting new stationery.

DD has never really been interested and doesn't see the point in buying new things when she has them already which is great for the environment (and my pocket). I used to buy her character lunchboxes but her tastes obviously changed and I use those ones for work and she prefers generic sistema type boxes or thermos food flask for soup. She going to High school this year so has had to get new kit but I suspect it'll last her.

Just buy as they need replacing. If a school bag or lunchbox needs replacing every school year, you are buying poor quality

We have an ongoing saga re school bags in our house. My daughter got a new hype branded one after Easter as it was in the sale and a design she liked. I wasn't planning on buying a new one so soon but she is now telling me she can't go back to school without a new bag after summer! Apparently it is just the done thing that you get a new bag after summer and the fact hers is still almost new is irrelevant.

No way! Think if the environment. We all need to be buying less! Only replaced when broken or no longer suitable for purpose.

Another vote for your DH. How wasteful to send another bag and lunchbox to landfill.If the bag is still functional, it should last another year. And if the lunchbox is rigid plastic, it can just be washed to be completely clean. There are about 12 million children in the U.K; where do you think all those year old bags and lunchboxes are going to go!

Would never even occur to me. DS2 is still cheerfully using DS1’s book bag (Infants only school) so that’s on its 4th year.

But as they need/wear out etc.

We would only buy generic, good quality bags And lunch boxes for DS as he was growing up. Eg no Bob The Builder bags etc this was because of the quality, or lack thereof, and kids fickle interests 🤣

No I wouldn’t replace if it was still fit for use but I suppose it depends on your definition of “battered”! My DS2’s lunchbox is a bit grubby now but it’ll definitely do another year. If on the other hand the zip was broken, it had holes in etc I would replace. But generally speaking I replace things as and when they need replacing.

Wow no way would I buy new bags every year and new lunch boxes. What a waste.

Older child needs pencil case for the first time this year. Have challenged them to make it last to end of year six!

I had the same school satchel all through my secondary school into the Upper Sixth.