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Original poster

Bookbag - first day (feeling bad)

34 replies

littlebylittle · 25/08/2010 09:17

I can't believe it but my dd will start school without bookbag. I did put in order but not collected. No excuses but have been mithering over it. Will it be okay to collect it first day or should I pop into school on first day of term which is inset day? I think really it will be okay and is my necessary thing to worry about to distract from being bit sad about dd starting school but would welcome gentle thoughts.

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compo · 25/08/2010 09:18

It wil be fine to get it on the first day

activate · 25/08/2010 09:21

it will be totally fineand no big deal

mummytime · 25/08/2010 09:35

She probably won't need it anyway, but do phone the school on Inset day and see if you can collect it. Should be no problem, they may even have parents popping in for whole uniform due to getting a late place.

KickArseQueen · 25/08/2010 09:50

Or! buy one on ebay and keep the other as a spare?

On my dds 1st day in reception one mother brought her dd in wearing a white shirt and grey skirt, socks and shoes she had nothing else with her, not even a coat and the mother proceeded to buy a school sweater and bookbag and borrowed a pen from the teacher to write her dcs name on them.

There isn't an excuse of lack of funds either because they are loaded. The little girl was really upset because she was the only one who didn't have a school bag, pe kit or a teddy to bring in to keep her company which all the others did. :(

I known the grand scheme of things its not a big deal - no-ones going to die after all. But it did make a big difference to that little girl on her 1st day! And although she joined the school with her nursery group she took weeks to settle in. I think it contributed to her feeling out of place iyswim?

sereka · 25/08/2010 09:54

I havent got the book bag for my DD either.

I am planning to go in on one of the school days to purchase this. She starts on the 13th, but main school starts on the 7th.

I also think it will be entirely fine of you get it on the first day. Dont stress about it otherwise you will pass on the anxiety to your DD.

Good luck Smile

compo · 25/08/2010 09:55

Kickarsequeen - that's a bit judgey! Maybe they were on holiday all summer, or lost all the lists saying what to bring the first day
I'm sure it had no bearing on her settling in!

Original poster
littlebylittle · 25/08/2010 09:55

Thank you KAQ that really makes me feel better. I will do my best but it is now a bit late for me to have been organised - which I know and feel sorry about.

OP posts:
LostArt · 25/08/2010 09:58

I don't think she will need a book bag on the first day. If you think your DD will be bothered by not having one (do you think she will even notice?) - have you anything similar you could use. Bookstart bags are popular at our school. like this

elphabaisgreen · 25/08/2010 10:08

They will have nothing to put into it until they come home. Mine have always had them on the first day becasue in the past you just went into a local shop to get them. Now they are being done through thte school/internet there will be loads who collect them on the first day.

cornsillky · 25/08/2010 10:08

It'll be fine - they probably won't get a book on the first day anyway.

Original poster
littlebylittle · 25/08/2010 10:09

I don't think she will tbh. I am going to do my best but think it is unlikely she will be given book first day. I know I should have been sorted on this and am doing my best but am trying to rationalise it and not spoil last few days of summer holidays for it. Balance. I don't think dd settling or not will have to do with book bag, more my general approach to it which will be low key but positive. She has uniform, shoes, pe kit, lucnch box and water bottle and everything will be named. I will tell her I love her, hand her over calmly and find a nice thing to do when I pick her up even if it's just going home and cuddling up. I will make sure I tell her what her teddy has been doing all morning and cook her favourite tea. I will be friendly to other parents, invite children for playdates if dd wants to, bake cakes for PTA et etc. So in the grand scheme of things I think it will be okay. And will have a book bag by end of first morning if not before! Am i nervous about her starting...just a bit. If this is a big deal I will treat it as such but I suspect not. Bit like not having scrubbed my floor prob didn't matter before dd born!

OP posts:
sorrento56 · 25/08/2010 10:09

I very much doubt that the child didn't settle because she had no book bag. Hmm

OP - I have had 3 children go through reception and it will not be a problem if you pick up a bag on the first day :).

louii · 25/08/2010 10:12

What on earth is a book bag?

elphabaisgreen · 25/08/2010 10:16

A slightly larger than A4 sized bag sort of similar to a thin messenger bag in the school colour with the school logo on that infant children use to carry their reading book and spellings to and from school.

Original poster
littlebylittle · 25/08/2010 10:20

louii, they take reading books home in it, its a flat satchel like bag, usually no shoulder strap, big enough to take books up to about A4 size. Some schools provide them, some you have to buy them. Usually has school badge or logo on it.
Thanks to all those reassuring very helpful. I'm feeling much better and think that will pick up on first day. Not that I wanted reassuring if was indeed big deal! But experienced voices very helpful.

OP posts:
hippipotamiHasLost92lbs · 25/08/2010 10:23

They should not need a bookbag on the first day so don't worry. But if you can buy them in the school office then you can get one a few minutes before dd starts school. (just remember to bring a pen to write her name on it Wink)
And don't point out to your dd she does not have her bookbag - she won't notice if you don't tell her Smile

gorionine · 25/08/2010 10:29

My Dcs were all given theirs by the teacher on the fist day (had been ordered pre school holiday from school).

It will be OK. Your DD will have other things in mind and will not give not having a book pack a second thought!

louii · 25/08/2010 10:30

I assume this must be a private school thing as books just go in a schoolbag here, thought that was the point of a schoolbag.

gorionine · 25/08/2010 10:33

Book pack is just another name for school bag Louii(well it is in theses parts anyway Smile )

mrz · 25/08/2010 11:04

You can probably collect your order on the way in or alternatively the order may be sent to the class.

elphabaisgreen · 25/08/2010 11:44

Every single state primary school round here uses bookbags. If anything it is the private schools that have other schoolbags because of more equipment they have to carry and even then only from Year 3 onwards.

zapostrophe · 25/08/2010 12:15

This reply has been deleted

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mrz · 25/08/2010 12:22

Our uniform orders hadn't been delivered at the end of term either so lots of children will be minus bags etc. They should be there first day ...I doubt new starters will need PE kit on the first day and I can't understand a school allowing teddies!

Seona1973 · 25/08/2010 12:36

our school is a joint campus and one of the schools uses a book bag plus schoolbag whereas dd's just uses a schoolbag/backpack.

Seona1973 · 25/08/2010 12:37

p.s. both state schools

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