If you don’t know that back-to-school supplies are on sale right now, then you either don’t have kids or you haven’t been shopping in a while (or you haven’t been reading my blog). Personally, even if I didn’t have kids I would still hightail it to Wal-Mart (Kmart, Target, etc.) to scoop up 10-cent packs of pens, pencils, glue sticks, notepads, and scissors. Some deals are too good to pass up. What’s more, what home couldn’t use a fresh supply of office provisions?
Still, despite the rows of hot-colored highlighters, the fancy detailed pencil boxes and the endless amount of character-inspired lunchboxes, the back-to-school item that generates the most controversy is the backpack.
Yes, even in kindergarten it’s all about the bag.
Kids want cool backpacks, moms want ones that are recommended by the American Chiropractic Association, and dads want ones that will do the least amount of damage to their wallets.
Regardless of who wins in the end, it’s a good idea to consider the following tips before heading to the check out line with your child’s new backpack:
Bigger is Not Always Better: According to chiropractors, when it comes to kids backpacks, size matters. Bottom line: Bigger is not necessarily better. The more room there is in a backpack the more your child will carry, and the heavier the backpack will be. The added weight could lead to back and shoulder injuries.
Pick One With Padding: Look for a backpack with thick padded straps and make sure your child uses both straps when carrying her backpack. Non-padded straps are uncomfortable and can dig into your child’s shoulders. What’s more, lugging a heavy backpack by one strap can cause a disproportionate shift of weight to one side, leading to neck and muscle spasms, as well as low-back pain.
Chiropractors also recommend that you look for a bag with a padded back. The extra padding provides increased comfort and protects your child from being poked by sharp edged school supplies (pencils, rulers, notebooks, etc.) that he carries inside his pack.
Belts and Straps: Many backpacks feature a waist belt that can be buckled around the child’s waist, though it is not used often. Doctors say you should encourage your child to use these belts as they can distribute the weight of a heavy load from the back and shoulders to the hips and torso, and spare your child from unwanted pain. In addition, the shoulder pads on your child’s backpack should be adjustable so the backpack can be fitted to his body. Chiropractors say straps that are too loose can cause the backpack to dangle uncomfortably and cause spinal misalignment and other injuries.
Photo Source: parents
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