Anonymous wrote:So DH and I are in a debate about backpacks. He wants DS (who is entering Kindergarten in September) to get a backpack that is plain so it can be used several years. I want to get something that he’ll think is fun (like his favorite characters) and get a new one every year since his tastes will change or the backpack wears out.

How do you handle backpacks?

Depends on what you want to teach your kids. Do you want to teach them to use products for a long time or to replace products frequently?

He will see both camps when he goes to school and you can help him choose the camp that aligns with your view of things.

Sounds like you and DH have different ideas so settle in among yourselves first and then present to kid. Don't put him in the middle.

I have a rising senior and a rising 8th grader and they’ve both had 2 back packs each this entire time. We buy decent ones that last forever. A PP is correct, the character backpacks are poorly made and may not last one school year.

Even in K they will need one that is bigger than you think.

Get a decent sized one right away.

A high quality brand should last you years.

The character backpacks are cheap and won’t last a whole school year. Get a quality, smaller backpack to use for kindergarten through second grade, and then revisit in third grade. My son is a senior in high school and I think he’s on his third backpack, ever.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Your DH is right. It is wasteful to buy a new backpack ever year and teaches your kid bad money habits. I have been carrying the same laptop case to work for five years and am fine.

Agree. It’s wasteful and all the character stuff is just OOC. Why doesn’t everything have to have licensed IP on it?

My kids have LL Bean backpacks on year 3 and 4.

+2 OP, around 3rd grade your kid might need a bigger backpack to hold more and heavier items. Upgrade then.

I like patterns, but not characters. We don't get new ones every year.

Don’t get a plain one just don’t get one that is too childish or too character specific that they will outgrow it in a year. Kids that age can ruin a backpack in year or two through normal wear & tear. This will probably solve itself but set expectation for son that he needs to take care of it so he can use it next year.

LL Bean, Plain colors.

They even fixed my DS's after 10 years not sure if the warranty is the same anymore, but honestly can not beat them.

OP if you want a character something do the lunch box or snack box that way.

Backpack buy a good one that will last years.

We are in the “good back pack for a few years camp.” Usually LL bean. The crappy backpacks often break before you’re ready for a new one. So let’s say second quarter the zipper starts being fussy but the rest of the backpack is fine. Or the water bottle side pocket tears…how often will you just up and get a new one?

Anonymous wrote:Your DH is right. It is wasteful to buy a new backpack ever year and teaches your kid bad money habits. I have been carrying the same laptop case to work for five years and am fine.

Agree. It’s wasteful and all the character stuff is just OOC. Why doesn’t everything have to have licensed IP on it?

My kids have LL Bean backpacks on year 3 and 4.

We bought good quality backpacks and they used them k-5. New ones for middle school.

I just bought my rising K son a plain backpack. I hope it lasts for at least a couple of years but if he wants a new one I'll get it. I prefer the aesthetics of plain backpacks personally but, again, if he wanted a patterned one I'd get it. But I'm not going to suggest them.

Your DH is right. It is wasteful to buy a new backpack ever year and teaches your kid bad money habits. I have been carrying the same laptop case to work for five years and am fine.

We get good backpacks and use for years. However we get patterned not character or plain.

So DH and I are in a debate about backpacks. He wants DS (who is entering Kindergarten in September) to get a backpack that is plain so it can be used several years. I want to get something that he’ll think is fun (like his favorite characters) and get a new one every year since his tastes will change or the backpack wears out.

How do you handle backpacks?