Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

New school bag and lunchbox every September?

590 replies

AvocadoHo · 14/08/2021 18:06

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?

OP posts:
ArabellaScott · 14/08/2021 23:26

YABU, a new one should only be got if its needed.

Mummyratbag · 14/08/2021 23:44

This is so depressing. Government website says 8.9 million kids enrolled in school in the last academic year. That would mean 8.9 million new bags being produced and 8.9 million bags from the previous year in charity shops/in cupboards/landfill annually! Obviously not everyone is doing that, but still a large number definitely are.

justasking111 · 14/08/2021 23:49

School bag always trashed by the end of the year. Mine always had school dinners so can't help there. Pencil cases, zipper broke, holes. If it was ruined bought new for back to school

Vispa · 14/08/2021 23:54

We bought our DD a stainless steel lunchbox and waterbottle which both still look like new after many years of use. She's about to start high school and will be taking them there too. She understands that we don't replace them every year to help look after the environment. They cost more than cheap plastic ones, but will probably still be going strong when she's an adult...

AutistGoth · 15/08/2021 00:02

My parents bought a kipling drawstring backpack for me in Belgium before Kipling was a global brand. I was around six years old and I remember them paying Belgian francs rather than Euros for it.

Twenty five years later, the monkey/ape is long gone, but that bag served me through what was left of primary school and secondary school as a PE kit bag and as an adult woman, I still occasionally use it as a backpack. Most recently on a weekend break to visit my family where my Ddad pointed to it and said "you've had that some years, haven't you?"

Apart from the loss of the monkey keyring, it's still as good as the day we picked it up the Belgian shop.

PattyPan · 15/08/2021 00:08

I had the same bag for the entirety of primary school. It’s really wasteful to get a new one if the old one is fine - it sends the wrong message to kids.

Kanaloa · 15/08/2021 00:23

I also think it’s important to teach kids to look after their possessions. I wouldn’t be happy if school bags and pencil cases were routinely trashed and broken. By age 6/7 I’d say most kids should know how to carefully unzip their pencil case, remove what they need and zip it back up.

Of course the occasional accident can happen and a zip can break but it shouldn’t just be expected that school bags, lunch boxes, and pencil cases should be ripped and broken.

Disrespected · 15/08/2021 00:28

My dcs always have.. Because I always did.
My 3yr old has so many lunchboxes for pre school. They're all immaculate as I put thro machine each week. (her yogurt And crisp crumbs mangled in the creases is disgusting so easier to throw in the machine)
But I've still been looking. Once she outgrows the design or I have no more space then I will put them in charity shop.

Bags too.
Teen ds has said he doesn't want a new bag this year?

AccidentallyOnPurpose · 15/08/2021 00:32

I don't replace anything just because it's September. Stuff gets bought when needed. It's not even about the money or the environment, I just don't see the point of replacing something that still is fine,looks good,work ok,still fits etc.

GhoulWithADragonTattoo · 15/08/2021 01:04

My DS used the same bag throughout all 4 years of juniors. I just washed ready to take to second hand uniform as it’s still in decent condition.

Yubaba · 15/08/2021 01:18

Mine get new when the old stuff is falling apart.
DD got a new school bag last year and her old one was washed and DS2 inherited it, she only got new because a medical condition meant she needed a bag that had more padded straps and better weight distribution across her back.
They have metal water bottles and lunch boxes that are made of recycled plastic bottles (that are machine washable)
DS1 got a new back last year for starting year 7 as he needed a bigger bag for his PE kit, it’s a bit battered round the edges but perfectly serviceable and I highly doubt any of his friends would even notice.
I’m not the most amazing environmentalist but I try and I’d rather spend my money on things we actually need rather than waste it on ‘stuff’ because that’s what the shops tell us we need.

DeflatedGinDrinker · 15/08/2021 01:46

Normal in this house to have everything new in September down to socks, pants and bags

ineedaholidaynow · 15/08/2021 01:50

@DeflatedGinDrinker why would you buy new of everything?

Mistressiggi · 15/08/2021 01:52

I'm a teacher and I buy lots of new stuff for August, cheers me up at least Grin

CorianderBee · 15/08/2021 01:56

I got that every year. Part of back the school excitement so long as you can afford it

EdHelpPls · 15/08/2021 02:43

Nothing new unless last one is completely done. I buy for longevity. We have neoprene, machine washable lunch bags that are used year round (inc.for picnics in summer/weekend trips etc) and one is 6 years old and is still going strong.
I had a fab bag in school by a brand Eddie Bauer that was machine washable. I used it for 9 years of school and still have it now and I'm in my late 30s.
The first few years in my daughter's school they have to use a logo'd satchel style bag but as soon as they are allowed bags again I'll be encouraging something similar, for financial and environmental purposes.

BarbaraofSeville · 15/08/2021 06:58

@CorianderBee

I got that every year. Part of back the school excitement so long as you can afford it
But the planet cannot afford it. This is nothing to do with money.

I'm a teacher and I buy lots of new stuff for August, cheers me up at least grin

Glad you find the climate crisis so trivially amusing. I hope you don't pass that attitude onto the pupils you teach.

Fucking hell, has the saying 'if it ain't broke don't fix it' been completely forgotten amongst some of you?

ThinWomansBrain · 15/08/2021 07:15

presumably last years' one had less use due to lockdown?
keep using the old one until it needs replacing - whether that's wear and tear or it gets horrendously age inappropriate.

Dizzyhedgehog · 15/08/2021 07:21

We live abroad and the proper schoolbags here are bloody expensive, so you generally buy one for your child to last through their primary years. We just got a second-hand one for DS. It looks like new and will happily do another round of primary. I don't know why you'd buy a new one every year.

PluggingAway · 15/08/2021 07:25

Depends what you mean by battered and grubby.

If it's fit for purpose then it's wasteful to replace it.

TheRabbitStoleMyHat · 15/08/2021 07:27

I only replace what needs replacing. Eldest could do with a new bag thinking about it. Their shorts and jumpers still fit them so I’m not replacing those.

yikesanotherbooboo · 15/08/2021 07:33

I only ever bought what was needed.It never occurred to me to do any different. Same with uniform.

DukeOfEarlGrey · 15/08/2021 07:54

I don't agree. I would never put the environment above making my child happy

It’s already been said but is worth saying again: your child’s happiness on a far bigger scale is continent on us all dramatically changing our consumption now. Of course a school bag is a micro issue but this way of thinking is completely counter productive.

DukeOfEarlGrey · 15/08/2021 07:54

*contingent on

Sirzy · 15/08/2021 08:00

If a child’s happiness is so dependent on the Material things they need a new school bag every year I wokld suggest that is a very good reason to start making changes anyway to move away from such a materialistic view