BrandonInfo.com

School starts in Brandon Valley Aug. 23. While I haven’t actually been any kind of student the past few years, I vividly recall the excitement and anxiety associated with “The First Day of School.”

The best part for me was all the new stuff I got: books, supplies and, most importantly, the trendy fall fashion wear. That last one was a must. No self-respecting student could walk into class the first day without wearing an outfit whose tags were torn off the same morning.

I’m not a parent, so I don’t necessarily understand the pressures of what it’s like to spend however much money to prepare for the coming school year. But, it seems to me, gone are the days when hip-hugger pants were the only requirement one needed to meet in order to obtain ‘coolness.’ Now the must-haves are mostly electronic gadgets and dohinkies: i-Pods, laptops, cell phones and other things I can’t afford.

In a district as wealthy - for lack of a better term - as Brandon Valley, I’m wondering at what point all you parents draw the line? Do you feel you’ve gotta keep up with the Joneses? If little Sally Sue has a new iBook, will you buy Johnny one so he won’t feel left out? Are schools any place for cell phones? Does your child have one? Any recommendations to parents on where to find cheaper versions of popular electro-gadgets?