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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to think their should be a wieght limit on school bags?

66 replies

VelvetChairGirl · 04/02/2022 13:59

just the title really.

my son has to carry everything in a backpack he isnt allowed any other type of bag, they have no personal storage spaces in classes or a locker, so all the books and equipment, water bottle etc have to go in the backpack and be carried all day around the school.

I ended up carrying his bag for him yesterday and my shoulder hurts today, he's only 11 its too much.

OP posts:
3xmonsters · 04/02/2022 14:01

5 exercise books and his lunch really doesn't weigh that much.

TheCanyon · 04/02/2022 14:07

Funnily enough I just weighed dds as I thought it felt like it weighed a ton, 7.6kg. That's without ipad, water bottle and gym stuff.

lumpofcomfort · 04/02/2022 14:08

My DC has to have a specific school rucksack from the uniform supplier. The bag itself is heavy even when empty as it has a heavy handle and rubber parts on it. I assume this is to make it longer-wearing but it weighs such a lot once you have books in there too.

Comefromaway · 04/02/2022 14:10

@3xmonsters

5 exercise books and his lunch really doesn't weigh that much.
My son had to carry much more than that in a typical school day.
chocaholic73 · 04/02/2022 14:10

In an ideal world this wouldn't be the case but it's not a new issue. I was a secondary school between 1970 and 1975 and remember having painful shoulders/arms and my Mum used to think it was awful we couldn't leave things in desks etc. I used to have a 10 minute walk either end of a bus journey as well. It is tough but just one of those less than ideal things I think.

Original poster
VelvetChairGirl · 04/02/2022 14:11

@3xmonsters

5 exercise books and his lunch really doesn't weigh that much.
its more then that, plus 2 novels, school passport book, scientific calculator with case, two pencil cases full of rulers etc and tonnes of different pencils and pens, two of each colour because you get detention if your pen doesn't work.

the bag is heavy and I am used to carrying heavy things I am the one who lugs the shopping home.

OP posts:
ChrissyPlummer · 04/02/2022 14:11

My GP said this when I had to go to him for a dodgy shoulder when I was about 13/14, about 30 years ago. It was PE kit that used to be the worst, we didn’t have textbooks at home but did have some work in files/folders. It’s a PITA.

Roselilly36 · 04/02/2022 14:14

I totally agree, I can remember how heavy my DS’ backpacks were.

Clevs · 04/02/2022 14:15

It's not a solution to the weight of the bag, but does he wear the backpack on both shoulders to spread the load a bit more so it's not just on one shoulder?

Original poster
VelvetChairGirl · 04/02/2022 14:15

@lumpofcomfort

My DC has to have a specific school rucksack from the uniform supplier. The bag itself is heavy even when empty as it has a heavy handle and rubber parts on it. I assume this is to make it longer-wearing but it weighs such a lot once you have books in there too.
is it a black bag with a reflective strip across one corner and transparent plastic bits on the zippers?

I noticed my sons bag (also has to come from the schools uniform supplier) seems to be identical to ones used by at least 4 other schools round here, same bag just different logos.

OP posts:
Icantgetalifeifmyheartsnotinit · 04/02/2022 14:16

Couldn't agree more - I have 2 calcified shoulders from years of heavy bags - we did 8-5 at school (!!) and sone days could have pe kit / 7 exercise and text books, reading books, lunch, hair brush & water in a bag. Shoulders are knackered now!!

Original poster
VelvetChairGirl · 04/02/2022 14:17

@Clevs

It's not a solution to the weight of the bag, but does he wear the backpack on both shoulders to spread the load a bit more so it's not just on one shoulder?
both, they are not allowed to have them on one shoulder or carry them in their hands in the school.
OP posts:
Youdoyoutoday · 04/02/2022 14:18

Do schools not have lockers anymore?
I remember in primary school having desks to put stuff in then secondary, we had lockers so you didn't to cart stuff around all day.

And 7.6kg for a school bag is ridiculous, that's like carrying a baby around all day!!

Comefromaway · 04/02/2022 14:19

Lots don't have lockers or they are located in inaccessible places, or there are not enough for everyone.

Porfre · 04/02/2022 14:19

Exercise books as well as textbooks.
PE kits .
Trainers.
Drinks./ packed lunch.

GalaxyOnOrionsBelt · 04/02/2022 14:20

Yet more battyness from posters, expecting kids to suck it up.

No it isn't right, and I'm fed up with this idea kids have to suck it up. If I went to work and was made to carry something so heavy it gave me back ache Health and Safety would kick in and something would be done about it. If nothing was done and I became injured I could sue.

Original poster
VelvetChairGirl · 04/02/2022 14:21

@Youdoyoutoday

Do schools not have lockers anymore? I remember in primary school having desks to put stuff in then secondary, we had lockers so you didn't to cart stuff around all day.

And 7.6kg for a school bag is ridiculous, that's like carrying a baby around all day!!

my friends children go to a school that has lockers but theu have to pay rent for the lock/key.

but my kids school has no lockers, they had a try each in class when he started but they removed them at the start of this term so everything has to be in the bag, nothing is allowed to be left in the classrooms and it must be that bag, there bag, a backpack. (I think he needs a little wheely bag)

OP posts:
FawnFrenchieMum · 04/02/2022 14:21

@3xmonsters

5 exercise books and his lunch really doesn't weigh that much.
Plus an A4 ring bound planner, calculator, pencil case with random colour pens that you need several off as if they run out during the day you get punished, DT folder, Sports kit (including trainers and football boots!).
HesterShaw1 · 04/02/2022 14:22

Isn't a backpack better than any other style of bag for distributing weight?

We never had lockers either. Ah those memorable days of taking eight lessons worth of books, PE kit, cookery stuff and clarinet all on the same day.

Maybe that's why my back is screwed?

FawnFrenchieMum · 04/02/2022 14:22

Oh and their coat that’s not allowed to be seen during the school day hence why most of them would rather freeze on the way to school.

Gardengates · 04/02/2022 14:23

I agree. DS's bag weighs 8kg with all his stuff in it.

When I was at primary school, all I had to transport was a pencil case and my troll collection...

JurgensCakeBabyJesus · 04/02/2022 14:24

It was like this when I was at school but thought these days text books would be kept in class one set of 30 for each year group to use because the resources for homework would be online! Would also be much cheaper for schools than buying so many text books. We at least had lockers

georgarina · 04/02/2022 14:26

I agree. I remember having to carry 3/4 heavy hard back maths/science/history books at a time.The big 500-page A4 ones. I got a rolling backpack. Can he get one?

Iwonderifiwonderwhy · 04/02/2022 14:27

Yanbu. Our school has lockers and wheelie bags, I think all schools should.

I remember the back ache I used to get from carrying my bag when I was a kid. It just isn’t reasonable, but the staff all seem powerless to change things and headteachers don’t care, unless enough parents coordinate to make a fuss (which is how we got our wheelie bags 😈)

LagunaBubbles · 04/02/2022 14:28

5 exercise books and his lunch really doesn't weigh that much

What a stupid post without knowing what's in the bag.

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