FIRST there were Christmas Eve boxes, then Easter boxes, and even Halloween boxes.
And now mums are taking things to another level, with back to school boxes.
Parents have been taking to social media to share their boxes, packed with treats for their kids ahead of their return to school after the summer holidays.
But one mum who won’t be participating in the trend explained her reasons why in a TikTok video.
“Stop the world, I want off!” the Ranting Ma said.
She admitted she’s been “so excited” about her kids going back to school next week.
But her excitement was ruined when she saw videos about the back to school boxes.
“Can you please stop setting the bar so high?” she continued.
“Because the only back to school box that my kids are getting are the packed lunch with a couple of Peperamis and a cheese sandwich with the crusts on for their lunch.
“I just feel like there’s more pressure and more pressure and more pressure to do all these things for our kids.
“You’re creating all of these traditions and I just gotta give up!”
The mum said she’d “almost lost the will to live” when other parents started the Christmas Eve box trend, but was now sitting outside Tesco “contemplating whether I have to go in and get some boxes and fill it up with stuff”.
But she had no idea what she would even put in said box.
“Here’s some new socks with frilly bits,” she raged.
“Here’s a f**king iPhone 15 Pro Max.
“Here’s a new Nintendo Switch game. I mean it is right?
“Honestly I cannot like… I’ve just lost for words. I just can’t keep up with all of this stuff. Like should I go and get stuff?”
While she insisted she’s not “hating” on parents that do the boxes, she “can’t afford” it herself.
I'VE seen them all over my FYP.
But I can assure you that I will NOT be getting my 10-year-old son and six-year-old daughter back to school boxes.
Not only have us parents had to get through six weeks of holidays – with many of us working as well – we’ve had to shell out for days out, a never-ending amount of food and things to keep them entertained.
Then we have to pay for a whole new set of uniform, new shoes – which can cost upwards of £50 a pop – and even stationery.
So why on earth do they need a back to school bag?
I also treat my kids to a new lunchbox and school backpack each year, so that’s their present for going back to school – and that’s plenty.
But I won’t say no to a back to school box for the parents!
After all, we’ve done an amazing job.
By Sarah Bull, Senior Digital Reporter
“I am losing the will to live because I canna keep up with your traditions,” she said.
“Can you please let me know if this is a thing?
“Or if I’ve just stumbled across a rare find.
“Stressed mum asking for advice!”
Other parents were quick to comment on the video, with one writing: “Just spent over £400 on uniforms, I ain’t doing back to school boxes!”
“This!!! I feel ya mama!!” the mum replied.
“I think us parents NEED a back to school box for surviving the 6 weeks holidays without going crazy!” another laughed.
“Listen..fair play to them but I just spent £1700 on 4 days in Centre Parcs and literally hundreds on uniform,” a third wrote.
“Any money I have left is paying for my therapy!”
As someone else said: “The only back to school boxes my boys got were there the ones the shoes came in!”
