tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2860476504120652781.post3487450534362591179..comments2023-07-07T04:44:46.940-05:00Comments on Painted Maypole: Here we go again?painted maypolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06446625015003854710noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2860476504120652781.post-65166293377854592022008-03-08T10:31:00.000-06:002008-03-08T10:31:00.000-06:00Oof. I wish I had read this sooner. I am facing ...Oof. I wish I had read this sooner. I am facing a similar dilemma with Jack and whether to have him skip first grade and go into second. Academically, he's advanced. Truth be told, he's probably working at the 3rd or 4th grade level (he's able to do long division; Ben's 4th grade class is working on long division). He's been reading since he was two.<BR/><BR/>But, but, but, but. He's shy, and this year has been such a coming out party for him. He's finally learning to throw off that shyness and enjoy himself.<BR/><BR/>Will all those social gains be lost if we skip him?<BR/><BR/>Damn, damn, damn. I wish I knew what was right -- for me, for you.<BR/><BR/>Probably things'll work out whatever choice we make. They usually do.Shttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05602868040771218507noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2860476504120652781.post-3037833086542237692008-03-08T06:58:00.000-06:002008-03-08T06:58:00.000-06:00I don't know--one parent told us years ago that a ...I don't know--one parent told us years ago that a parent NEVER regrets holding a child back, but that there could be regrets with NOT holding them back. We felt L. was so academically ready but perhaps not socially; still, we sent him to k-garten when he turned 5 only weeks before starting.<BR/><BR/>Of course, looking back and knowing what we do now, we should have held him back. But ours is an usual case and not at all yours. I agree with what others have said--she'll thrive no matter what. Even in our case, there are positives to be seen for having sent him, so I think there will always be pros and cons.Aliki2006https://www.blogger.com/profile/15763865834765963343noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2860476504120652781.post-39640192474724141412008-03-06T22:59:00.001-06:002008-03-06T22:59:00.001-06:00typing one-handed in the dark...sorrytyping one-handed in the dark...sorryRun ANChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06088821030860597465noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2860476504120652781.post-13684064229440665172008-03-06T22:59:00.000-06:002008-03-06T22:59:00.000-06:00I thonk there's ups and dowms for both decisions. ...I thonk there's ups and dowms for both decisions. When that happens, I always go with my initial gut reaction. You're an actor AND a mother - trust your instincts.Run ANChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06088821030860597465noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2860476504120652781.post-89632629676942645372008-03-06T16:20:00.000-06:002008-03-06T16:20:00.000-06:00The difference between being 5 and being 6 is much...The difference between being 5 and being 6 is much different than the difference between being 14 and being 15. It will get easier. I think she will be just fine. My best friend, my husband, and my mom were all 17 when they graduated high school, and they were completely fine with it. I was almost 17 (in too many extra activities at school to get in my drivers ed time) when I finally got my drivers license and I was fine with it. So were my friends. <BR/>I don't really have any solid advice for you, but I just thought the above would be something to think about too. <BR/>Good luck with your decision!Kathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14339665205284492242noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2860476504120652781.post-44220560207109494382008-03-05T22:20:00.000-06:002008-03-05T22:20:00.000-06:00I have a December birthday and started school earl...I have a December birthday and started school early. It was difficult when I was in high school in that my friends were often allowed to do things I wasn't but all in all I think it was the best choice my parents could have made for me. As it was I excelled and was often bored, if I'd been even a year behind where I was I would have gone insane with boredom, I think. And often it seems that children that aren't challenged and are bored will tend to become a little lazy and lose interest. Or maybe that was just me :)Defiantmusehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03662821362051301388noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2860476504120652781.post-20322776542410395502008-03-05T15:19:00.000-06:002008-03-05T15:19:00.000-06:00My sister was born in December (back in the days w...My sister was born in December (back in the days when that was the cutoff) and my brother was November. She excelled and would have been bored if held back - in fact she was so bored at the public high school that my parent put her in private school. My brother ended up repeating 6th grade b/c he just hadn't matured like his classmates. One extra year was all he needed. My point is, go with your gut, age is just a number.Flower Childhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08611806187828172442noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2860476504120652781.post-85200111150398539982008-03-05T14:56:00.000-06:002008-03-05T14:56:00.000-06:00Better late than never. I agree you have to go wit...Better late than never. I agree you have to go with your gut. We agonized over keeping our son back-- his IQ tested at near genius, but he was very immature. We finally kept him back in 8th grade (he had really messed up his grades spiting his teacher). If we hadn't had such a gypsy life, I would've never done it, but he was able to start in a new school with a not-so-new year. It was the best thing for him, although we did have those pangs and questions about whether we made the right choice (we did-- he would've failed his high school Freshman year and then those grades would've haunted him into college). Good luck with this!!imbeingheldhostagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00771374087307254969noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2860476504120652781.post-33490596590314560552008-03-05T14:33:00.000-06:002008-03-05T14:33:00.000-06:00do you want to send her to public school?if she we...do you want to send her to public school?<BR/><BR/>if she went to public school, would it be a half-day K class? would you like or dislike that?<BR/><BR/>How many in the class? What other activities does she do? Are there children in the neighborhood?<BR/><BR/>If there are enough opportunities for interaction, she'll find friends, real friends. If she has not had any "problems" socially this year, I'd keep her "on track."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2860476504120652781.post-43300128041430602442008-03-05T13:52:00.000-06:002008-03-05T13:52:00.000-06:00With an August birthday, I was always just under t...With an August birthday, I was always just under the wire for school. It never affected me negatively. I was young for my grade, but then additionally I skipped 11th grade (because I accumulated enough credits in advance) and graduated at 16. I never had problems because of my age. <BR/><BR/>But I echo the go with your gut sentiments. I'm sorry you are back here again.Kylahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03311014761113076785noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2860476504120652781.post-67940749861349561172008-03-05T11:46:00.000-06:002008-03-05T11:46:00.000-06:00I have no advice for you - but I surely don't envy...I have no advice for you - but I surely don't envy the decision.<BR/><BR/>I was always the youngest kid in my class (born three days before the cut-off) - and it never mattered to me. At least I think it didn't. It just was was it was.Magpiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15460136246441367993noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2860476504120652781.post-27511725746400734972008-03-05T11:13:00.000-06:002008-03-05T11:13:00.000-06:00Oh mama... what a hard decision. I know what it fe...Oh mama... what a hard decision. I know what it feels like. Best advice I can give you is to pray about it and then listen to your heart. ((HUGS))Angela DeRossetthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13300138525442271956noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2860476504120652781.post-66206826924691589122008-03-05T10:40:00.000-06:002008-03-05T10:40:00.000-06:00I spent 15 years working with students like Mayque...I spent 15 years working with students like Mayqueen... I'll write you offlist about this. I also would agree with everyone who says go with your gut in terms of how happy she is, etc.Jenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02362687820368214420noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2860476504120652781.post-13941219911053279572008-03-05T10:02:00.000-06:002008-03-05T10:02:00.000-06:00*I* skipped fifth grade, not my mom. ;)*I* skipped fifth grade, not my mom. ;)Luisa Perkinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15310698422276446909noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2860476504120652781.post-23880826394161178492008-03-05T10:01:00.000-06:002008-03-05T10:01:00.000-06:00PM, only you and BG can know what's best. But her...PM, only you and BG can know what's best. But here's my $0.02:<BR/><BR/>I learned to read when I was two and was reading at a fourth grade level by age four. Because of this, my mom sent me to kindergarten a year early and later skipped fifth grade. <BR/><BR/>Junior high was a nightmare (I was 10 in seventh grade), and high school was not much better. I wasn't eligible for Driver's Ed until my senior year. I graduated from HS when I was 16 and went to college the very next fall. <BR/><BR/>Because of AP credits, I was in upper division lit classes my first semester--with people at least 4-5 years older than I was--which is a HUGE gap at that age. I was YEARS away from being old enough to go to clubs or bars or even on-campus parties. <BR/><BR/>I was miserable and transferred to a Jr. College the next semester, where I managed to make a few friends. But after a year, I dropped out and moved to San Francisco to work for a couple of years. I ended up going to BYU when I was 20, and finally felt like I fit in with the rest of the crowd.<BR/><BR/>So--academically, the whole time, I was challenged (sort of). Socially? I had very few friends from fourth grade on. <BR/><BR/>But I'm not the MQ and she's not me. Her experience may be wildly different. Trust your heart, and forgive my longwindedness.Luisa Perkinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15310698422276446909noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2860476504120652781.post-35315729128379596682008-03-05T10:00:00.000-06:002008-03-05T10:00:00.000-06:00While I am not a parent, I do have some experience...While I am not a parent, I do have some experience with this through my cousin. She was a year younger than me, but my aunt wanted to send her to school at the same time as me. She constantly struggled with a maturity issue, and has well on into her life. She went to college young, and as a result dropped out and has never finished. Do I blame all of this on going to kindergarten too early? No, I place some of it back on my aunt and uncle and their parenting. I also worry about making a child grow up too fast.<BR/><BR/>I don't envy your decision. Good luck with it!Crowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06233651455115394130noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2860476504120652781.post-28815657190927176782008-03-05T09:37:00.000-06:002008-03-05T09:37:00.000-06:00We went through this with G. He is well advanced i...We went through this with G. He is well advanced intellectually, but socially he has a lot of issues. Our school is great because it offers a program called Step-Up, which is a grade between K and 1st, that allows kids to move forward academically, but also focuses on social issues and emotional maturity. We're incredibly glad that we chose to put him in this group, to give him the chance to catch up a bit. This year he's doing fabulously, no melt downs, and no behavior issues all year. <BR/><BR/>It's all up to you though. You know MQ best, and any decision you make will be the right one in the end.Sarcasta-Momhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00481007617535972530noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2860476504120652781.post-16435556528555585422008-03-05T09:23:00.000-06:002008-03-05T09:23:00.000-06:00We had the same struggle last fall with Tommy turn...We had the same struggle last fall with Tommy turning 5 in late August, only we decided to leave him home another year. I believe most of the time that we made the right decision, but I still question it from time to time. We really won't know until they're older and in the thick of it, but it would be nice to have a peek into how they are going to do. <BR/><BR/>I agree with the comment about going with your gut. You know her best. Good luck.Chrissyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10149130500687247127noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2860476504120652781.post-65611858906217817192008-03-05T09:16:00.000-06:002008-03-05T09:16:00.000-06:00Our youngest missed the cut off by three weeks... ...Our youngest missed the cut off by three weeks... and we made the decision to "red shirt" her. Today, she is an energetic third-grader, whio is doing well academically, and socially.<BR/><BR/>We made the right decision.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2860476504120652781.post-12715576895592642772008-03-05T09:06:00.000-06:002008-03-05T09:06:00.000-06:00My son is the very oldest in his kid - thanks to h...My son is the very oldest in his kid - thanks to his January birthday - and I actually find that the extra age helps him out a bit. One of my aunts was skipped ahead a few grades back in the sixties, and she told me that the very worst part of it was being a skinny little girl while all the other girls hit puberty. Ugh.<BR/>I'm not a fan of putting kids into school early - I think that can be very, very hard on children - but you DO know your child best. Do what you know is right for her.Beckhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13953517447164263617noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2860476504120652781.post-18924851206247730862008-03-05T08:55:00.000-06:002008-03-05T08:55:00.000-06:00Whatever you do, do not listen to people of our ge...Whatever you do, do not listen to people of our generation who tell you about their own experiences. Children are being held back much more regularly now, so even though I pushed forward, I am quite certain my experience has little bearing on the situation today.<BR/><BR/>Teachers today almost ALWAYS push to keep the kid back so she is the eldest, not the youngest. I wonder whether this advice was unique to MQ or whether she always gives it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2860476504120652781.post-49732176234271104562008-03-05T08:40:00.000-06:002008-03-05T08:40:00.000-06:00Sorry I didn't read everyone elses comments first,...Sorry I didn't read everyone elses comments first, short on time, sorry if repeat. but I want to say go with your gut. Moms seem to know their child best and teachers can say things that ring so loud they make us doubt when in reality we know the truth. My brother got held back in Kinder (Sept 22 b-day) for immaturity - teacher recommedation - but 37 yrs ago. He didn't do well in school and now tells me he hated that he was so much older than everyone. Why? I don't get it. He doesn't even have a real reason. <BR/><BR/>Hard decision girl. Call me if you want me to weigh pros and cons with you.Bayou Bellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04148344829249795644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2860476504120652781.post-30102099290857480002008-03-05T08:13:00.000-06:002008-03-05T08:13:00.000-06:00We have the "red-shirting" here, too.I have a lot ...We have the "red-shirting" here, too.<BR/><BR/>I have a lot of issues with my younger guy. He was reading Harry Potter BEFORE kinder. Each year I get asked if we want to advance him, and each year I say no. He just needs to be with his age group. Advancing him into to older class would do absolutely no good whatsoever. <BR/><BR/>Anyway, hang in there, listen to your heart, and you'll get there.Melissahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14599462281364463565noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2860476504120652781.post-72284042505177883042008-03-05T08:01:00.000-06:002008-03-05T08:01:00.000-06:00Just want to say I feel this one acutely. Both my ...Just want to say I feel this one acutely. Both my children are young for their grade and I've been known to rant and rave about the red-shirting rash that has taken hold in these parts (holding a child back for no reason other than to improve their odds against others in their grade). Someone, someone HAS to be the youngest...it's just really, really hard when your child is the one. I'm holding the line and keeping them where they are but there are times I suffer the decision a little. Wishing you a resolution you can live with!ccehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05867069792357056649noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2860476504120652781.post-2462850707683172832008-03-05T06:47:00.000-06:002008-03-05T06:47:00.000-06:00this has been on my mind, too, in a way. my son i...this has been on my mind, too, in a way. my son is three but an august baby. will he be mature enough when kindergarten comes around or should we keep him back a year? but if we keep him back he'll be older and (BIGGER) than all the kids and the one driving first and wanting to date first, etc. but if we send him too early will he flounder and be too socially young.<BR/><BR/>uggg<BR/><BR/>these are hard questions. good luck<BR/> <BR/><A HREF="http://runningonempty-christine.blogspot.com/" REL="nofollow">Running on empty</A>Christinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04662448292809451387noreply@blogger.com