Uniform.. backpacks? Update #63 - Page 2

[MilkTrance]

I think that it's a good idea.

And kids will always find ways to stand out. We girls decorated our kilt pins and of course, wore different jewelry and... scrunchies (they were popular back then!).

[terrordactyl]

Originally Posted by *clementine*

I would like it if the school was providing the backbacks because our always fall apart within a half a school year, or the zipper breaks. With three kids to buy them for I spend a small fortune on backpacks.
I've gotten them from multiple places, in multiple price ranges and they're still junk.
Last year I spent $80 per backpack for the teens because they wanted skateboard bags and I had money back then. Their bags have held up better, but still not great. They're using them again this year. I bought Loo's at Old Navy and the zipper is junky. It was $20. I get sick of buying bags.

buy jansport ones i had mine for 5 years of school and its still in great condition

[ASusan]

My sister had the same backpack from K through at least 8th grade. What is it with a new backpack every year?

I was pre-backpack days. I used shopping bags (plastic bags with drawstrings, like from the Gap). I did have the same lunchbox from K to 5th (when I started using a brown paper bag).

[aniT]

Originally Posted by ASusan

My sister had the same backpack from K through at least 8th grade. What is it with a new backpack every year?

We didn't use any bags at all.. we just carried any books home.

And the reason you buy new backpacks every year is because they are cheap POS like everything else these days and fall apart. The stupid zippers stop working or the straps come off. The only backpacks we still have kicking around are the ones my oldest DD had in K and 1st. The straps did come off but the zippers still work.

[*clementine*]

Originally Posted by aniT

We didn't use any bags at all.. we just carried any books home.

And the reason you buy new backpacks every year is because they are cheap POS like everything else these days and fall apart. The stupid zippers stop working or the straps come off. The only backpacks we still have kicking around are the ones my oldest DD had in K and 1st. The straps did come off but the zippers still work.

Good to know it's not just us. Dh gets so annoyed when I tell him someone needs a new backpack.

[aniT]

Originally Posted by *clementine*

Good to know it's not just us. Dh gets so annoyed when I tell him someone needs a new backpack.

Nope it's not just you. I refuse to buy the plastic ones and only buy the cloth ones that seem stronger.. but now they are using cheap zippers that only seem to last about a month.

[UberMama]

Ditto Jansport!

I am 25 years old, graduated in early 2001. I had my Jansport bag for jr and sr year. Guess what? DH has been using it since late 2001 and hasn't stopped using it for work (and it gets beaten at work with him dropping it and him working in a warehouse). I wash it every few months for him but it's held up SOOOOOO well.

[aniT]

Originally Posted by UberMama

Ditto Jansport!

I am 25 years old, graduated in early 2001. I had my Jansport bag for jr and sr year. Guess what? DH has been using it since late 2001 and hasn't stopped using it for work (and it gets beaten at work with him dropping it and him working in a warehouse). I wash it every few months for him but it's held up SOOOOOO well.

But see that is an older Jansport. I got DD1 that brand last year. I think it lasted the whole year as opposed to crapping out half way through.. but she still needs a new one this year.

[eclipse]

Originally Posted by aniT

But see that is an older Jansport. I got DD1 that brand last year. I think it lasted the whole year as opposed to crapping out half way through.. but she still needs a new one this year.

Jansport has a lifetime guarantee, don't they?

[MCatLvrMom2A&X]

They give free backpacks here to but dd has yet to use one. I get her one a year to carry and she uses that the ones that are given to us are currently being used as a carry all for me when there is a class trip and dh took 1 for his fishing supplies.

Is there a rule that says you have to use the one that is given to you?

[BeckC]

We always had LL Bean backpacks growing up. It was "the cool backpack" but they also last forever. I had 3 my entire school career from K-college. And TBH I didn't need a new backpack for college, I just wanted one.

[littleaugustbaby]

Originally Posted by aniT

However when I lived in Cali I didn't even know they had philosophical exemptions because they never told you. In Oregon it's right on the shot record they make you sign. It could just be a case of a power hungry secretary.

I think a lot of people here don't realize it. When it came up that DD's only partially vaxed, one of the moms in my playgroup said, "good luck getting her enrolled in school." And I told her it wouldn't be a problem because of the exemptions, and she rolled her eyes and said, whatever, they wouldn't let my oldest come to class on the first day until I turned in her vax record. Well yeah, duh, but they would have if you'd have taken the exemption.

Although, I dunno, because at both of the preschools she's been to here, they haven't even said a word to me about it. They both asked for vax records, and each time I said, oh we don't vax, and they said ok, fine, just sign here. I asked if they wanted a note from my doctor (we had the option of using a medical exemption), and they said no, my signature was just fine.

[UberMama]

Originally Posted by aniT

Wow, I have never had a problem here with exemptions. Everyone takes them.

However when I lived in Cali I didn't even know they had philosophical exemptions because they never told you. In Oregon it's right on the shot record they make you sign. It could just be a case of a power hungry secretary.

I didn't see this until now. I made a thread over on the vax forum about this. Basically it was a confused secretary who I believe has the notion that everyone should be fully vax'd (from the nasty look I got when I told her my boys weren't fully vax'd). I didn't have a shot record to sign (yet, maybe I will get one before the boys start school?). I was just told I had to have their record, up to date or not and was basically denied a right to the exemption (see my thread for more info).

[WC_hapamama]

If you have to use a specific backpack, and there's no rule about drawing on it, adding patches or having keychains or pins on it, you can always personalize the bags that way.

I do not ever put my kids names on the outside of the backpack. I don't want a stranger to be able to come up to them and say "Hi J! Come with me, your mom is looking for you."

[UberMama]

Oh gosh, how did I forget that?! That's true. That's why I'm against my kids having their names on stuff that they wear, hold, etc. Thanks for reminding me.

[BeckC]

My mom did not like the idea of having names on our backpacks but we were allowed to have initials.

[graceomalley]

I like the look of the bags all matching, plus the fact that it put a big dampener on teasing.

My kids go to a school where they get to pick their backpack, so there are no names on the outside because they're all different. We paid a lot for them, but my older son's is 5 years old (with MANY years of wear left - it still looks new), and my younger son's is 2 years old (still looks brand new). In fact, I'm in my 30s now and my DH uses my old school backpack as a laptop bag. All 3 bags are the same brand (Billabong, I think it's an Australian brand). They're made well, with sturdy zippers. I figure the initial outlay is worth it when you consider that we would have spent much more than that amount if we'd bought new, cheaper bags each year (which would then fall apart and look scrappy). I tend to do that with a lot of things for the kids, eg I buy expensive clothes which they can wear season after season until they grow out of them, rather than buy a new disposable wardrobe each year, which falls apart and becomes threadbare.

[trinity6232000]

Originally Posted by BeckC

We always had LL Bean backpacks growing up. It was "the cool backpack" but they also last forever. I had 3 my entire school career from K-college. And TBH I didn't need a new backpack for college, I just wanted one.

I just mentioned this a few days ago on another thread. I got a LL Bean bag in the eighth grade (1988) and I still own it, still in great shape.

My dd has a Lands End book bag, and it's been wearing strong for about 2 years now. She doesn't care what's on her bag, as long as it's purple.

[crl]

DS has had the same LLBean back pack for 2 1/2 years and it is in great shape. He's using it again this year. I put his initials on it. (Free monogramming and shipping if you have the LLBean credit card.) My LLBean bag lasted through part of high school and all of college until law school killed it. I got another (bigger) and it lasted for the remaining 2 1/2 years of law school and is still used as part of my luggage at times. They come with a lifetime guarantee.

If you really do have to use the provided bags, what happens if the zipper breaks or something? Do they give you another one or do you get to choose your own then?

[ChattyCat]

I'd be annoyed. Ds has a monogrammed backpack from Lands End. Dd will be getting one in the next year or so. They will be using them until they outgrow them, at which point I will purchase them larger backpacks from Lands End.