Kids have bags of all kinds. Backpacks, knapsacks, and luggage being the most common. How tidy your child keeps their bag really comes down to how responsible you expect them to be.

When your child brings worksheets or papers home from school or daycare, what do they look like when they come out of the backpack? Are any of them flat and clean? Or are they crumpled, torn, and dirty from being crammed in a messy backpack with all kinds of stuff? Can you or your child even find them in that mess? If your child’s backpack is a hot mess, it may be time to implement some tough love and expectations about how they care for their things.

From day 1, have kids be responsible for everything that enters and leaves the bags. This needs to be their responsibility. Have young children do the following with their bags:

• Practice wearing it.
• Practice unzipping it.
• Discuss how not to use it (must not be swung over your head or use as a slide down the driveway).

Making your child responsible not only keeps their items organized, it keeps you sane. Along with teaching them how to care for their stuff, be sure to give a lesson on how to properly transport their bag. Many things can lead to back pain — like playing sports or exercising a lot, poor posture while sitting, and long periods of inactivity. But some kids have backaches because they're lugging around their entire locker's worth of books, school supplies, and personal items all day long. Part of the reason for these aches are due to your child not carrying their bag properly. Be sure to teach them the importance of wearing their bags correctly to eliminate pain.

One way to bypass wearing a bag is to consider a scooter bag. What is a scooter bag? Well, it’s exactly what it sounds like. Scooter bags are lightweight and easy for independent toddlers and children to ride on, carry, or pull. Travel trolley luggage is roomy enough for all their gear and designed to deflect and absorb impact so it will last. Kiddietotes scooters even come with light up wheels for added fun!

Being a responsible kid can be a lot easier if given the right instruction. All that is needed is a little patience.