by Kris Brewer

Created on: November 07, 2007

Part of back to school shopping is buying a school bag for the year. It may seem like a small thing to you, but your daughter's school bag is going to be with her every school day. It serves an important purpose. A school bag should be functional, but also fashionable. Here are some tips for choosing the right school bag:

1. Check the school's regulations to see if there are any rules about school bags. Some schools have started requiring bags that you can see through for safety purposes. You can avoid wasting money on a bag your daughter cannot use if you find out about the rules first.

2. Look for comfort. Backpacks with wide shoulder straps that are padded will provide the most comfort.

3. Find an appropriate size. If a bag is too big, it will be cumbersome for your daughter to carry. However, if it is too small, she will not be able to fit all of the things she needs inside it. Get an idea of how many books she will be carrying at one time so that you will know how much space is needed in the bag.

4. Look for separate compartments. It is easier to stay organized if a bag has separate compartments. For example, your daughter can put pencils and erasers in one pocket, and permission slips and notes in another. She may even be able to reserve a pocket for a hairbrush and makeup!

5. Look for durability. This is not a lifetime investment, but it would be nice if a school bag would at least last throughout the school year! A well made bag of heavy, quality fabric will hold up to the rough treatment it is bound to receive day after day. It is also good to have a bag that will resist water so that those books and homework assignments will not get wet when it is raining.

6. Buy a bag your daughter likes. Let her go shopping with you so that she can have input into the purchase, just like buying back to school clothes. She is the one who has to carry it all year! You can put backpacks on your daughter and check the fit, as well. You can look for the quality and durability, and she can tell you how comfortable it feels. She can choose a color, style, or design with which she will be happy. Girls are particularly attuned to fashion, so don't buy a bag without your daughter's input.

Buying a school bag seems like a small part of getting ready for going to school, but it really is an important purchase. By following these tips, you can get good value for your money and your daughter can have a bag she will be happy to carry all school year!

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