Should you print your child’s name on school supplies? The cost of purchasing school supplies continues to reach new highs as prices rise and schools remain chronically underfunded.
In the midst of all this, one mother spoke out heatedly on the subject.
How much do families spend on school supplies?
On average, families with children in elementary through high school spent about $890 on school supplies, the National Retail Federation (NRF) reported. That figure has steadily increased since the NRF began collecting data over a decade ago.
In 2007, average household spending was $563, a difference of $327.
And families whose students go to college spend even more. College students and their families spend an average of $1,366 on school supplies per college-goer. This increase began after 2019, when spending was about $970—a difference of nearly $400.
Why do parents spend more?
According to NRF, this increase is due to increased demand for electronics. Last year, 69% of shoppers expected to purchase electronics items as part of their back-to-school wish list.
In other cases, it’s because school districts are cutting costs on certain shared classroom supplies. For example, parents and teachers are expected to provide things like cleaning wipes and tissues. Teachers themselves spend over $600 on classroom supplies, the Association of American Educators found.
Some believe that districts should fully cover the cost of these school supplies, but they also recognize that school supply budgets have remained essentially the same in recent years, even as school supplies have become more expensive due to inflation.
Should parents buy school supplies for other children?
Mom Amy Jackson (@amyjackson9213) shared a sneak peek at school supplies that has divided viewers. Her video has more than 1.6 million views.
In the TikTok video, Jackson loads a ton of school supplies into the trunk of her car. School supply lists are often provided to parents by the teacher, school or school district.
Jackson says she will not write her child’s name on the materials because “if someone needs it, they should have access to it.” Many parents write their child’s name on it to ensure the materials are used only for their child.
@amyjackson9213 I’m going to die on that hill. So many moms post themselves saying they want all the stuff they buy to only be used for their kid. I buy extra… we’re not the same sister. #momssupportingmoms #momsoftiktok #backtoschool #schoolsupplies #fyp ♬ Alibi – Sevdaliza & Pabllo Vittar & Yseult
“You’re all fucking weird for being so worried about SCHOOL SUPPLIES being used on another student,” Jackson says, looking knowingly into the camera.
In a response, Jackson clarified that she was referring to communal supplies such as tissues and wipes, and not the specific items that children choose for themselves, such as their notebooks and folders.
“I’m going to die on this hill. So many moms post themselves saying that all the things they buy they only want to use for their child. I buy extra… we’re not the same sisters anymore,” she added in the caption.
However, commenters are divided on the issue. Some say they don’t have the financial means to provide their child with school supplies or buy extra things. Others say it’s no big deal.
“It’s not weird. I’m struggling to get supplies/clothes/shoes myself. If I could do more I would. But right now I can’t so my kid comes first,” read one top comment.
“I’m writing my son’s name because teachers told me he ‘owes them school supplies,’ when in reality he brought all of his own,” one person said.
“That was my mother and now I will be that person as a mother. My mother always bought double the amount of all three school supplies just in case someone didn’t have them. It’s never the child’s fault,” another chimed in.
And observers outside the United States are confused as to why we are buying supplies at all.
“I live in Belgium and I’m so confused by this??? Here everyone buys their own things and if the class has material for everyone, it comes from the teacher/school,” one commenter shared.
“Never bought any things for my daughter here in the Netherlands. No school supplies, just a bag and a lunchbox,” added another.
The Daily Dot reached out to Jackson for comment via direct message on Instagram and TikTok.
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