A MUM has taken aim at the parents buying presents and “balloon arches” to mark their kids’ first day back at school.
As the summer holidays draw to a close, pupils have started to return to school, either in a new class or sometimes in a new school entirely.
And to mark such a big occasion, some mums and dads have decided to celebrate it with a grand display – often spending hundreds on extravagant gifts for the special day.
But one mum who won’t be shelling out for a present for her kids going back to school is Zara, as she launched an expletive-filled tirade against those guilty of the ‘crime’.
Referring to the balloon arches she’s seen on TikTok , she raged: “I’ve had a f**king arch on my back! Picking up after the (*****) for the past two months.
“Balloon arch my b**locks!
“And a present? Some **** better buy me a present.”
Zara added that the cost of the school uniform – which some people have spent £1,000 on – negates any need for an extra present.
“You know what your present is, mate? Your f**king uniform. You’ll be lucky if you get lunch that day!”
She also insisted that if she had to spend a thousand pounds on uniform, her kids would be homeschooled and work during the school holidays to pay their way.
“See, if I was paying a grand for my ween to go to school, it’d better be f**king Hogwarts,” Zara continued.
“And they can f**king feed them the whole year as well.”
She urged other parents not to set the bar so high, as she slammed those who
“Oh my god, here. I bought you a car,” she jokingly minimicked.
“You took a s**e this morning.
“Like seriously!”
She concluded by saying that people didn’t want to hear her opinions on boo baskets – the gift-stuffed baskets given from boyfriends to their other halves.
“On a serious note, if it’s what you want to do, you do it,” Zara added in the caption.
EXTRA HELP WITH SCHOOL UNIFORM COSTS
IF you can't get targeted help from your council, you might have some other options available to you.
In some areas, you can talk directly to your school, which might be able to offer you clothing.
Or, you might be able to get cheap garments from low-budget shops or charity stores.
Some charities offer help to families in need too.
But bear in mind charities often have a limited amount of money to give and usually have specific criteria which must be met in order to get a grant.
Charity Turn2Us has a free grants search tool on its website which you can use to find out what help is available to you.
Meanwhile, you can always try approaching your nearest Citizens’ Advice branch.
If you don’t know where your nearest Citizens’ Advice branch is, you can find out by visiting www.citizensadvice.org.uk/about-us/contact-us/nearby/.
If you’re not eligible for a school uniform grant you might be able to get help through the Household Support Fund .
“I’m just stating that it’s not expected!”
And people in the comments section were quick to weigh in on Zara’s video, with one writing: “I’m buying myself a back to school present for putting up with the s**t show six week holiday!”
“Why are we getting kids presents to go back to school?” another questioned.
Personally I’ll be celebrating back to school with day drinking!
TikTok commenter
“They’ve done nothing but cost money for six weeks! Where’s my present for getting through it with my child still in one piece?!”
“It makes it so hard for us new mums who have to live up to these expectations now because of other kids,” a third sighed.
“NO YOU DON’T,” Zara replied.
“Do not let people make you feel that way. You’re doing amazing without all that.
“My kids would rather have my time!”
“I’ve seen people buying teachers’ presents for the START of the year,” someone else wrote.
With Zara sighing: “I can’t!”
“Personally I’ll be celebrating back to school with day drinking!” another said.
“My kids’ back to school gift is the lift I’ll be giving them,” someone else grumbled.
“Some kids have to walk to secondary school – I’m dropping you off.
“You’re welcome!”
But others entirely disagreed, with one admitting she’d already purchased a balloon arch to put up.
“My kids have a mountain of presents…” another added.
As a third admitted: “I’ve done boo baskets for my two-year-old and twin cousins lol!”
