So did you listen to me? Did you get hold of all your school uniform weeks ago, when I told you? Nah, me neither, still got two pairs of shoes and a baker's dozen of polo shirts to secure by the start of September.
What is the point of school uniform? Half of it usually ends up getting lost, or your child comes home wearing somebody else's fleece. Why can't we let children be indivduals instead of an identikit clone?
And why do so many schools insist on parents buying one particular brand of uniform, which you can only get from one specialist shop, which coincidentally happens to be the most expensive shop in town.
Springing for a full set of uniform can leave your bank balance feeling more than a little battered and bruised.
When I was at school, I couldn't wait for the day that I didn't have to wear that hideous maroon tartan outfit any more. So it feels a bit mean to be forcing my lot into their regulation bottle green. Mind you, I think I was a bit mentally scarred from the fact that my mum decided that the school blazer was so expensive, she was going to extract maximum money's worth, and make me wear it at the weekend as well. True story. Is it any wonder I'm bitter?
On the positive side, I do think that uniform can give children a good sense of identity and belonging and pride in their school. And if they're out on a school trip, they aid safety by making it obvious who's with whom. It also makes them easy to spot if they're bunking off to go down the shops.
What do you think - are you a fan of school uniform or not?