recommendations on back packs?

[admin]

I know I hate the anon posts too BUT I need to know what all of you with older kids have found to be helpful. This is a kindergartner and won't be carrying much but why start out with the traditional backpack when we will have to turn around and fight with the school later when it becomes too heavy. So I am hoping y'all can come up with some. I don't see the school going for one of those pull along things and to be honest I am not sure this particular child is not going to insist on having what the other kids have. Right BPI so all the sling things I have found all cross the right shoulder....Thanks in advance folks and looking forward to your suggestions.

[admin]

My daughter has a small back pack that's called a shoulder sling. It goes across one shoulder only and leaves her injured side alone. However she does NOT put books into it. She has two sets of books, one at school and one set at home, so all she carries home is paperwork. I got it at Lands End or LL bean (can't remember which one - sorry). Her folder in her back pack had to be folded in half. Her teacher understood that her papers would come in folded like that and didn't have a problem with it. The only reason I bought this backpack versus a regular holding bag was so that she wouldn't feel so different because all the other children had backpacks, but a regular carry bag would have been more realistic.

[admin]

We haven't gotten to the back pack point yet for Ella, but MANY children in school and in Hannah's class have the roll along back packs. They are selling these in every design and color b/c many schools and teachers will actually recommend them. Maybe this isn't a big deal for a younger child b/c they do not carry home as many books, but as they go through grade school I have seen a huge number of children using the roll alongs.
I honestly don't believe that the school can say no to a roll along back pack. Thats what many pediatricians recommend these days. At least not around here will they say no to one. I am sure it differs everywhere.
Hope you find what you need!! Good luck.
~Krista~

[admin]

ACtually some schools are not allowing the roller backpacks anymore because of the high injury rates of children tripping on them and falling. Our district has it up on the agenda right now.

[CW1992]

Brittney has always used a regular back pack (usually pink or purple). It does weigh a ton - but she is as strong as the other kids and I've always told her to "Buck up!" carry the thing because I knew she could - hopefully I am not a bad Mom here - I just thought she could handle anything. She carries that back pack in each day - but I do pick her up in car pool so that she does not have to carry that thing home -- she only goes in the school and right back out and there I am. She will be an eighth grader this year - always carried her back pack, rode her bike or scooter in elementary school - she is tough- and she'd hate it if I told her that she needed help when she saw that the other kids were doing it....
Christy

[admin]

I had no idea that schools were not allowing them. At our school the parents drop the children off and they are not allowed to run around so its not an issue. Parents also stay there until the bell rings and the kids go inside. It may be an issue at bus stops, but I believe that a parent should be there to watch them anyway until they step on that bus. I guess I can see it happening, but kids trip and fall anyways.
~Krista~

[dmom]

I'd either explain the injury to the school and get special permission to use the rolling backpack, or I'd look into getting a second set of books to use at home so your child doesn't have to carry so much weight.

Good luck!

[LeeAnne]

As usual it depends on the child and how severe the injury. My daughter is 8 with severe LOBPI and in the last year has been having overuse problems with the right shoulder dislocating and mild scoliosis due to compensation issues. School started this past Monday here. She has always used a rolling backpack because she CANNOT put anything on her shoulders. New issue this year. At her school, the 3,4, and 5th grade classes are upstairs and she cannot lift the backpack and carry it up or down, so we had to get a note from the doctor to not only use the rolling backpack but also the ELEVATOR. They require her to have a buddy with her on the elevator so she won't be alone if it should get stuck or something happen. Ok, think of how this is a good thing. Now they all want to be her friend because they want to be her elevator buddy! LOL
Of course it's only in the morning and evening when she has her backpack, the rest of the time she has to use the stairs like everyone else. Just do what you feel is right for the child and talk to his doctor about it.

[claudia]

Well, one thing you can try is a Messenger Bag. Lands End, LL Bean, Target they all have them. They do have a tendency to be a tad large though.

Juliana uses a rolling backpack. They are not allowed in our school district (kids tripping and they don't fit down the aisle of the school bus) but a rolling backpack is in Juliana's 504 Plan. She also has a Matron on the bus with her and the Matron takes the backpack so Juliana can get on the bus. The backpack sits by the driver. I am sure that one day she will ask for something different, but for now she accepts the rolling backpack as hers. I'll deal with changes when they pop up.

claudia

[admin]

we use rolling back packs and as many classes as have an extra text he leaves one on the shelf in the class and one copy at home to lighten the load- his friends help him if it is too heavy on the stairs.