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Higher education

Talk to other parents whose children are preparing for university on our Higher Education forum.

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Original poster

Backpack for University

266 replies

Shimy · 09/09/2019 12:27

Just occurred to me that DS will need one for uni. What’s everyone else’s child using or what would you recommend? Im particularly interested in:

Ability to store laptop of about 17inch plus folder
Very good back support! So good shoulder straps and padding.

I’ve looked on amazon and there’s a myriad of back packs it’s difficult to know what to choose from.

OP posts:
Rubicon80 · 15/09/2019 10:21

@drsausage

So no one in the Facebook group for parents of students at DD's university accused [you] of being a toxic, overbearing parent.

Feel like the dots are not quite being joined up here Grin Grin Grin

This is just so bizarre. Why are you in that group? Why does such a group even exist?

Do you think that when you were at university, or in your first job if you were working at 18/19, that your parents were part of a group for students' or employees' parents?

What a perfect example of people being unable to move on and stop vicariously living their offspring's lives. Just step back and let them live their own lives, and you live yours.

There is no rational reason whatsoever for parents of adults to be in a group with other people whose adult offspring are attending a particular university, or doing a particular job.

No wonder universities are so full of young adults who can't cope with the simplest tasks.

roisinagusniamh · 15/09/2019 10:50

Rubicon, it's beyond hilarious and becoming slightly creepy that they are still banging on about their student son/daughters bag for uni ....
We gave my daughter £20 to get one this weekend, have no idea where she's getting it or whether she's put extra money towards it saved from her summer job....so call Social care now 😄

0lga · 15/09/2019 11:04

@Rubicon80 @roisinagusniamh

I don’t know why you’d boast about being so remote and detached from your children’s lives, it’s not something most of us would be proud of.

Some young adults are still close to their parents. They enjoy shopping together or at least looking at things online and discussing options. Some of them are mature enough to realise that a parent might have more knowledge about or experience of buying eg laptops or bags or signing a lease on a flat.

Some of us even went to uni ourselves ( shocking as that may be to you ) and know something about being a student or even our kids courses, so they like to talk to us about it.

Others of us know bugger all about their courses but they still enjoy educating us.

Most of us are wise enough to enjoy the chat about what they want but also to stay out of things that they want to keep private eg their sex lives.

Many of us get on very well ( most of the time) with our student aged kids - especially if they live hundereds of miles away Grin . I wonder why this makes you so angry and why you seem to take pleasure in ripping other people apart because they are not the same as you.

It’s very odd.

bengalcat · 15/09/2019 11:07

Mine gets her bags/backpacks from Mountain Warehiuse or other similar online outdoors shops . Either in person or online .

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 15/09/2019 11:09

I can’t quite believe that Rubicon80 or roisinagusniamh are actually parents. So cold and calculating.

Glad my parents weren’t like that when I went off to uni, and glad my dc actually want me to be part of their lives now they are all at uni.

Somehow I think the above two posters will be having a very distant relationship with their offspring. Sad.

ChangeItChild · 15/09/2019 11:11

Perhaps @roisinagusniamh & @Rubicon80 would like to start their own thread about overbearing parenting? This thread was started by a lady looking for backpack recommendations.

Buying your university student a backpack isn't 'vicariously living your offspring's life' it really isn't. I'm sure you both have a lot of valid points to make, but this isn't the right thread to do it on, so you've both come off looking very silly and have no credibility.

And the need to keep coming back and being nasty and tearing people down is quite bizarre and also loses you respect.

You'll find plenty of likeminded people who agree with you on your own thread.

roisinagusniamh · 15/09/2019 11:58

The thing is I have a great relationship with my kids...we just let them get in with things and if they want our involvement they ask and we help.
If they wanted me to research a backpack for them (I would be surprised as they've much have their own taste and would be pleased if liked it but not at bothered if I didn't) I would do the research it with them but the though of actually starting a thread about it (AND making it all about yourself) is controlling.
And, as for the poster who is a FB group to discuss your child going to Uni! Unless your child has SEN that's just plain ridiculous !
Honestly, get out and develop a life of your own!

roisinagusniamh · 15/09/2019 12:02

PS;
Change I wasn't aware that the thread was stated with by a Lady, Lady who? ?Is she in the Society magazines?

Trewser · 15/09/2019 12:46

There is no rational reason whatsoever for parents of adults to be in a group with other people whose adult offspring are attending a particular university, or doing a particular job

Then why the fuck are you even on mumsnet?

ZandathePanda · 15/09/2019 12:55

Roisin have you any backpack recommendations? I am looking for one with wide padded straps, waterproof and possibly breathable padded back. Different compartments will be good.

If not, please, like others suggested, could you set up your own thread?

Trewser · 15/09/2019 13:06

@rubicon80

There are lots and lots of threads with people posting about their adult childrens jobs and uni on mumsnet.

Why not go on one of them and tell them how ridiculous they are being? There's one for Medicine, Vet Med, Oxbridge, there's a Law one too.

I look forward to seeing you on those, asking why on earth the threads needed to be started in the first place. Go on, I dare you. It's got to be more of a challenge than backpacks.

Trewser · 15/09/2019 13:11

And there's a whole teenage section! Just think of the fun you could have!

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 15/09/2019 13:18

Roisin...and ‘Teenagers’ section comes under the talk topic of Being A Parent Shock.

Suggest you contact mnhq with your disapproval.

ChangeItChild · 15/09/2019 13:36

roisen

A lady is a polite or formal way of referring to a woman. Sorry if this confused you hun Wink

CheeseStraws · 15/09/2019 13:41

@Trewster Then why the fuck are you even on mumsnet?

Grin brilliant!

CheeseStraws · 15/09/2019 13:44

I think Roisin and Rubicon may be better spending their time on the fishfinger gate and Santa at secondary school threads I saw today.

roisinagusniamh · 15/09/2019 13:44

Oh gosh ....I've upset a few people here !
Eh, people who refer to woman as ladies are usually repressed. She is a woman not a lady.
Do you refer to men as Gentlemen ??

roisinagusniamh · 15/09/2019 13:48

So it's impolite to call a woman a woman according to change
😁😆🤣

roisinagusniamh · 15/09/2019 13:49

And calling people hun.....you are a absolute hoot 😆

ChangeItChild · 15/09/2019 13:54

roisen thanks, it was tongue in cheek humour I was going for, I'm relieved you got it this time hun Grin

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 15/09/2019 13:55

Fucking hell roisin get a life. Go and spend some time with your children whilst they are still under 18 and you have given yourself permission to have anything at all to do with them. Sure they’d love your company Wink

Is everyone else getting the backpack ads on MN now? Sales of backpacks are increasing as a result of this thread 😂😂. Hope you get commission OP.

Pennyjane89 · 15/09/2019 14:00

Goodness me! My DM came with me to buy a bag for uni because I value her opinion. Maybe the OP’s son asked her if she could ask around for recommendations?

Bh2579 · 15/09/2019 14:11

Roisin

DC don’t suddenly grow up and become self sufficient when they turn 18. Goodness I still turn to my mum and dad now and I am nearly 50! Part of the fun for both child and parent is doing these things together, having someone to share it with. Also it’s a bit of mental prep and adjustment for what’s to come .

Don’t be too quick to cast them off.

hellsbells99 · 15/09/2019 14:29

Oh no, I’ve totally failed as a parent today - been helping DD batch cook ready for her sister helping her move her into her new student house tomorrow. And will be helping her pack up the car this afternoon ....oh dear.....
P.s. this will be her 4th year and she copes fine, but having some meals ready in the freezer when she has been at uni from 9am until 7/8pm just gives her a bit of help (particularly if she is planning a night out).

Laquila · 15/09/2019 14:50

Christ on a cracker. This thread is bananas!

Useful for backpack (rucksack?) recs though.

I’ll probably regret flagging this up, but re parents being in FB groups relating to the HEIs their kids are at...perhaps a slightly more calculating contributing factor is that they’re probably paying for a fair whack of it, hence a bit more involvement than in the lives of kids who’re off to gainful employment/self-funded “adult life”. Or maybe they’re just a bit over-invested. Or maybe they’re controlling toxic parents. Who knows? I guess the point is, each to their own. Crack on.

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