Buying ready for School

[JOEYGREEN]

My son's starting school in September and somebody said its going to be a really busy time for me! Why - what do I need to buy? Its got me worried. I know about uniform, shoes and bags - but am sure that you can get these from more or less anywhere nowadays, like Asda. He's already got a lunchbox because he goes to nursery and I know I'll have to get him a few bits from a stationers. Am I missing something though? Can you let me know if you can think of anything else. Many thanks

[JOEYGREEN]

Sorry I meant really EXPENSIVE time for me!

[Jules001]

The only things that I can think of are, boys are renowned for going through the knees of their trousers, but as you say Asda etc are very reasonably priced and you don't have to pay through the nose at school outfitters. The other thing is birthday parties, at that age they tend to invite practically the whole class (as everyone is their new best friend) and you seem to have a birthday party or two to go to every weekend so the cost of the presents and cards can start to mount up. There are some costs with schools, money for outings and some schools tend to have quite a few sponsored events, plus xmas raffles etc, but they should be optional.

Hope this helps
Jules

[sherrardk]

When my son started school I had all of the normal stuff but hadn't reckoned on the stuff that was extra - tracksuit for outdoor winter PE which was not on the uniform list (by the time you know about it they have all been sold), etc. All the other mothers (or so it seemed) seemed to have an uncanny ability to just know about this (and all the other school 'rituals' - like finishing early on Sports Day!). If you can, get an existing Mum to write you an Idiots Guide!!

[JOEYGREEN]

Yeah, see what you mean. Thanks a lot for both of your comments. I think I'll just put a little bit away over the next couple of months just to cover these things!

As for a tracksuit for winter P.E - we had to wear t-shirts, shorts and plimsoles whether it was red hot or snowing! I don't know!

Thanks again

[spudqueen]

When my sons started school they seemed to need some money (or something that cost money) every week, there wasa a school photo to buy, donation for cookery, donation of goods for harvest festival etc etc.

PS I sewed my sons name labels into their uniform using red thread so that they could readily identify their clothing.

[willspal]

Sherrardk.

Wow what a good idea, an idiots guide written by a Mum. That sounds like what every new Mum at a school needs. My middle son started school last September so of course I knew the score with most things but I was always having to help/advise new Mums as to what was the best thing to do ect ect as far as the most smallest things but almost the most important things. Some Mums did not realise that you could put your own comments in the little homework diaries until the Teacher started to complain that she was not getting any feedback. Now it would have been easier for her to have pointed out all this at the New Parents Evening in the June but she didn't so there you go. Might suggest this idea myself.

have to agree with all what Jules001 says. It can get expensive once they start school and thats not even thinking about the uniform. My son recently had 2 parties in 1 weekend and then another 2 the weekend after. I had to restrict them a bit as it does get silly.

Good Luck anyway, its a fun time but expensive.

WP

[JOEYGREEN]

Thanks all. I know what you mean about birthday parties too. My son currently attends a child care/nursery within the school and they take him down to the afternoon pre-school class as I am at work. In the last couple weeks we've had about 8 invitations to parties! I feel bad doing it but for half of them I've had to say we can't go. I think the best thing to do is get a bulk load of blank kids cards and a few boys/girls books as presents from a store like The Works which is quite reasonable.

Well I've got all this to look forward to but thanks again. You've all been very helpful.

[crisgal]

i remember when my eldest son started school, a friend was taking her child uniform shopping the last week of the summer term. I thought she was mad, and i left it 'till august. It was really hard to find everything, even using asda tesco etc. Everyone seemed to have sold out of the first sizes and I was backwards and forwards. I now go the first weekend in the summer hols, and get everything on the one trip.

[KeaneFan]

A hot water tank or some bath salts, preferably castor

[dancecaller]

If you are not restricted in choice by uniform rules, get shoes and clothes that are easy to fasten (e.g. velcro not shoe laces). Make him independant and save the teachers time for teaching.

Isn't it silly that you have to buy things so early, at that age they seem to do their growing in the summer.

[jacey]

And don't forget and packet of tissues, for yourself:-)

[Pebbles]

Some schools have a second hand shop run by the PTA, great for those expensive items like blazers that seem to only last 1 term.........