To stroller bag or not: kids and the weight of their school bags
By bounce58
@bounce58 (17380)
Canada
October 12, 2011 5:25pm CST
A week after school started this year, my nephew got a new stroller-bag because the weight of his school bag was apparently slowing him down and 'breaking' his back (according to his mum). Now my son, who is in the same class, who has the same stuff as my nephew has no problems with his own school bag.
Now I understand that every kid is different (my son is skinny and his cousin is not-so-skinny), and school things seem to increase in weight over the years, and we love our kids and we don't want them to be hurt or in pain, but I was just wondering if this was a wise decision on his mom's part.
I can't help but think that this is just too-much 'babying' on their part.
Of course I can't say this out loud, lest suffer the wrath of my family and relatives.
How about you? How do you determine if your kid's school bags are way too heavy? When do you decide to get him a stroller bag?
13 responses
@stary1 (6611)
• United States
13 Oct 11
When my kids were in school I always worried about their backpacks being too heavy. At that time no one even heard of stroller bags..lol I used to joke and say my kids needed to take a little red wagon to school with them for their books.
My kids didn’t suffer any consequences long term physically over carrying the books but geez
they were heavy and I don't think that is healthy for any kids...just my opinion
they were heavy and I don't think that is healthy for any kids...just my opinion
1 person likes this
@bounce58 (17380)
• Canada
14 Oct 11
I'm sure that if it's above a certain limit, then it's not healthy for kids. One user response here suggested a 20% body weight ratio.
I guess with your kids, who didn't suffer any consequences, it was still below 20%, even if they looked really heavy.
Thanks for the response.
@stary1 (6611)
• United States
14 Oct 11
You could be right, but dang those bags were very heavy
and I hated to see the kids carrying them..yet on second thought as long as they aren't being hurt, maybe carrying those heavy books can help burn more calories and give the kids a forced workout?? 
and I hated to see the kids carrying them..yet on second thought as long as they aren't being hurt, maybe carrying those heavy books can help burn more calories and give the kids a forced workout?? 
@ShepherdSpy (8544)
• Omagh, Northern Ireland
12 Oct 11
Do You know What sort of a proportion of these kids' body weight would be in their bags that the carrying of their books might be a problem? Are other kids using roller bags? I do think when it gets to the stage of using luggage to carry school books,Lockers at school to store the books when not required might be a good idea...either that,or a bit of progress is needed in getting textbooks available in ebook format and a suitable reader gadget made available to students.."The Cloud" is one of the buzzword terms in computing and information storage...storing textbooks that way with a low cost access device to read them might work....
@bounce58 (17380)
• Canada
13 Oct 11
I think it's about time we get to that stage of technology. Where children can just have one gadget/tablet that could store up all the information that they need instead of lugging it around in paper form.
Of course we still have to manage from making these gadgets into just game consoles specially for younger children.
Thanks.
Thanks.@ShepherdSpy (8544)
• Omagh, Northern Ireland
13 Oct 11
The possibility of the Amazon "Kindle" as such a device was suggested,which as a dedicated reader doesn't have many options as a games machine or a communications/chat/internet device...Mine does offer an "experimental" web browser,but as it's not touch screen or have a pointing device,it's slow to use..the kids would have to fill their bags then with cellphones and handheld consoles instead..The new colour screen kindle coming out might have more options,though..
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
22 Oct 11
I think that children do carry way to many books on their back. Stroller bags were a great idea but they aren't allowed in the schools in my area. I was not happy when they made the rule but apparently children were trying to ride on them at school and some of them got hurt so it ruined it for them all. I think they really need them when they are little. I remember the bag my daughters carried was almost as big as they were.
@hardworkinggurl (37062)
• United States
15 Oct 11
My children had heavy loads daily but I did not feel a stroller bag was necessary. There were days that the load was much heavier then other days, so I suppose it depends if this is a constant issue and or if health is of a concern.
I guess I could have determined it if as I stated the load was every single day and back pains was of a constant complaint.
If I did not notice that other kids were also complaining then I would start with the area to make sure that it was just not the bag causing the problem.
@bounce58 (17380)
• Canada
16 Oct 11
That's one way to go about it. If you notice that other kids have less weight than your own children, then maybe there's a reason why they have to carry more books home. Catching up on assignments maybe? Then in that case, a stroller is not the solution.
Thanks HWG!
@SIMPLYD (90717)
• Philippines
13 Oct 11
That's the very reason why stroller bags are introduced. It is to unburden the child in carrying too much load/books on his body. With the stroller bag, he can just pull it as he trudges on the way to the car.
We did that to our child when she was in primary grade. Though, she has her nanny to walk with to school (it's just a walking distance from our house) , it would also be convenient for the nanny to just pull the stroller bag. The nanny has to also protect her back from the pain a big heavy bag could cause.
@SIMPLYD (90717)
• Philippines
14 Oct 11
Those bags are only advisable if your child always carries a lot of books in his bag. Having them will not make them weaker, because they get to play and run and interact in activities in school too.
At least, the stroller bag prevents them from carrying too much load on their backs or arms.
@writersolutions10 (497)
• India
13 Oct 11
It is really bad to see those kids carrying so much of weight and study after all the weight lifting...
@cutepenguin (6430)
• Canada
13 Oct 11
I think it depends if the kids are bringing their textbooks home or not. Those are heavy. Kids really shouldn't carry more than 20% of their weight on their backs, so it depends how big the kid is and how much stuff they are bringing home. I used to do all of my work during class while the teacher was talking, while my sister listened carefully and then had to do the work at home, so her bag was usually heavier than mine. Sometimes I had to carry some of her stuff.
@bounce58 (17380)
• Canada
14 Oct 11
Thanks for putting a weight ratio on the school bag weight (is this decided fact?). If all parents know about this ratio, then each can make an informed decision on whether to stroller-bag or not.
When I was in school, there was an effort to explain to students that listening during class was more beneficial than taking notes or doing the work while the teacher/prof is discussing. If you were able to multi-task, then your already ahead of the game.
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
12 Oct 11
My oldest is in high school, and thus far none of them have ever needed one of those stroller bags. Actually, the oldest doesn't have a backpack at all since they're not allowed in class. I just got him one of those bag sack things that are so popular these days.. 2 actually. He's got 1 for school and 1 for sports. It seems to be enough for him. He might have to carry a book or 2 in his arms each day on top of what's in his bag, but it's enough. The younger kids don't seem to ever bring anything home but a folder and some papers and an agenda. So I see no reason to get them anything beyond a normal backpack. They don't even really need that one half the time.
@Amanda81587 (3042)
• United States
13 Oct 11
I honestly have to say that I think the stroller bags are better for everyone no matter their size or age.
Wearing regular book bags can out a physical strain on your back especially when the child approaches a certain grade where the work load is maximized.
I have seen girLs at school with them on but I have yet to see one for a boy in first grade or I would get my own child one. The only problem I would see with this stroller book bag would be locker or bus room. They seem fairly large.
Wearing regular book bags can out a physical strain on your back especially when the child approaches a certain grade where the work load is maximized. I have seen girLs at school with them on but I have yet to see one for a boy in first grade or I would get my own child one. The only problem I would see with this stroller book bag would be locker or bus room. They seem fairly large. @bounce58 (17380)
• Canada
15 Oct 11
I can in fact see some in my kid's school where I think the strain on their backs are a bit too much. Those I agree that they should get stroller bags.
But not when I think it's not really much. When I think that the kid just wants it because he is being lazy.
Thanks.
@teamrose (1492)
• United States
13 Oct 11
I think you should mind your own business. The decision was made in your nephews house and they seem okay with it. As for your own kids, if they ask for a stroller bag, then its the time to look into the issue. Why create problems where there are none.
@ardoy0731 (7308)
• Philippines
13 Oct 11
Nowadays kids usually use stroller bags.
I'm just wondering why these kids need to bring too many notebooks and books everyday.I know some school just let those books left in the school for kids not to bring it all the time.
My niece uses stroller bag but usually her mother brings it.
