8th grader who is 15?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm not sure why this is such a big deal. Most 8th graders will turn 14 at some point during the year, and many will be almost 15 at the end of the school year. So it's not that big a difference. 14.5 is probably the norm.

My child turns 13 during 8th grade so that’s a two year age difference. It’s a big difference.

Your child was 12 in 8th grade? That is not the norm at all! Most are 13 and turn 14 that year. My 14.5 year old just finished 8th and my 12 year old is now going into 7th. And we sent them on time. Your math seems off!

Your math is off, my child was 13 the entire 8th grade year.

All the birthdays my child attended in 8th grade were for kids turning 14. Nobody was 12, turning 13.

Mine was. What about the fall birthdays?? Why do people assume no kids are born in the fall or, if they are, they are held back?

Because in most places the fall birthdays are the oldest kids. Only a small number of districts have such late cutoffs. This just simply isn't a thing anymore in most places.

DC is such a transient area. We moved here from NY where the cutoff is late Nov or early Dec, I forget. But yes, lots of fall bdays. And you can’t redshirt there. If you hold your kid back, they’ll just enroll him in first grade, lol.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Look kids aren’t dumb, they figure it out and often attribute any supposed advantages (height, weight, muscle mass, etc.) that an older peer might have to their older age. Children are very focused on people’s ages in general, haven’t you noticed this? It’s one of the first things they ask.

My kid has a fall birthday. He was 13 throughout 8th grade. He took 3 ninth grade classes (4 if you include FL) and played on the JV tennis team. He’ll start on varsity this year. He’s aware that he’s younger than his peers and I think it adds to his confidence level that he keeps up rather than detracting from it. I remember being in 6th grade and thinking that the few kids who were a whole year older than us were the “dumb” or “slow” ones because they should have been in a higher grade.

Do what you want but, on the whole, I don’t think you are doing your kid any favors by holding them back.

There are several "held back" kids in my kids' grades. In no way are they outcasts, looked down on, or considered dumb or slow. They have as many friends as the rest and the kids may know their age but it's more like "How come he gets to be the first one to be 8" so all the doom and gloom doesn't exist at all from what I can see.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm not sure why this is such a big deal. Most 8th graders will turn 14 at some point during the year, and many will be almost 15 at the end of the school year. So it's not that big a difference. 14.5 is probably the norm.

My child turns 13 during 8th grade so that’s a two year age difference. It’s a big difference.

Your child was 12 in 8th grade? That is not the norm at all! Most are 13 and turn 14 that year. My 14.5 year old just finished 8th and my 12 year old is now going into 7th. And we sent them on time. Your math seems off!

Your math is off, my child was 13 the entire 8th grade year.

All the birthdays my child attended in 8th grade were for kids turning 14. Nobody was 12, turning 13.

Mine was. What about the fall birthdays?? Why do people assume no kids are born in the fall or, if they are, they are held back?

Because in most places the fall birthdays are the oldest kids. Only a small number of districts have such late cutoffs. This just simply isn't a thing anymore in most places.

DC is such a transient area. We moved here from NY where the cutoff is late Nov or early Dec, I forget. But yes, lots of fall bdays. And you can’t redshirt there. If you hold your kid back, they’ll just enroll him in first grade, lol.

NY is about one of the only places that has late cutoffs. Virtually everywhere else doesn't. The sun doesn't rise or set on what NY does when it's an outlier.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Look kids aren’t dumb, they figure it out and often attribute any supposed advantages (height, weight, muscle mass, etc.) that an older peer might have to their older age. Children are very focused on people’s ages in general, haven’t you noticed this? It’s one of the first things they ask.

My kid has a fall birthday. He was 13 throughout 8th grade. He took 3 ninth grade classes (4 if you include FL) and played on the JV tennis team. He’ll start on varsity this year. He’s aware that he’s younger than his peers and I think it adds to his confidence level that he keeps up rather than detracting from it. I remember being in 6th grade and thinking that the few kids who were a whole year older than us were the “dumb” or “slow” ones because they should have been in a higher grade.

Do what you want but, on the whole, I don’t think you are doing your kid any favors by holding them back.

There are several "held back" kids in my kids' grades. In no way are they outcasts, looked down on, or considered dumb or slow. They have as many friends as the rest and the kids may know their age but it's more like "How come he gets to be the first one to be 8" so all the doom and gloom doesn't exist at all from what I can see.

The freshman with a mustache and a drivers license will be looked down on

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Look kids aren’t dumb, they figure it out and often attribute any supposed advantages (height, weight, muscle mass, etc.) that an older peer might have to their older age. Children are very focused on people’s ages in general, haven’t you noticed this? It’s one of the first things they ask.

My kid has a fall birthday. He was 13 throughout 8th grade. He took 3 ninth grade classes (4 if you include FL) and played on the JV tennis team. He’ll start on varsity this year. He’s aware that he’s younger than his peers and I think it adds to his confidence level that he keeps up rather than detracting from it. I remember being in 6th grade and thinking that the few kids who were a whole year older than us were the “dumb” or “slow” ones because they should have been in a higher grade.

Do what you want but, on the whole, I don’t think you are doing your kid any favors by holding them back.

There are several "held back" kids in my kids' grades. In no way are they outcasts, looked down on, or considered dumb or slow. They have as many friends as the rest and the kids may know their age but it's more like "How come he gets to be the first one to be 8" so all the doom and gloom doesn't exist at all from what I can see.

The freshman with a mustache and a drivers license will be looked down on

Uh, no because he can drive his friends around and try to buy beer for everyone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Look kids aren’t dumb, they figure it out and often attribute any supposed advantages (height, weight, muscle mass, etc.) that an older peer might have to their older age. Children are very focused on people’s ages in general, haven’t you noticed this? It’s one of the first things they ask.

My kid has a fall birthday. He was 13 throughout 8th grade. He took 3 ninth grade classes (4 if you include FL) and played on the JV tennis team. He’ll start on varsity this year. He’s aware that he’s younger than his peers and I think it adds to his confidence level that he keeps up rather than detracting from it. I remember being in 6th grade and thinking that the few kids who were a whole year older than us were the “dumb” or “slow” ones because they should have been in a higher grade.

Do what you want but, on the whole, I don’t think you are doing your kid any favors by holding them back.

There are several "held back" kids in my kids' grades. In no way are they outcasts, looked down on, or considered dumb or slow. They have as many friends as the rest and the kids may know their age but it's more like "How come he gets to be the first one to be 8" so all the doom and gloom doesn't exist at all from what I can see.

Maybe at 8 but kids become much shrewder and aware of how hierarchies work in the real world by middle school. Plus you don’t know what any of these kids privately think in their heads. It’s not like I announced my thoughts to anyone, I knew they were not “nice.” Just honest.

[Anonymous]

How could a fifteen year old feel good about beating out a 13 year old in some competition? They’re two years older! It’s simple common sense. This is why athletics outside of school go by age.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Look kids aren’t dumb, they figure it out and often attribute any supposed advantages (height, weight, muscle mass, etc.) that an older peer might have to their older age. Children are very focused on people’s ages in general, haven’t you noticed this? It’s one of the first things they ask.

My kid has a fall birthday. He was 13 throughout 8th grade. He took 3 ninth grade classes (4 if you include FL) and played on the JV tennis team. He’ll start on varsity this year. He’s aware that he’s younger than his peers and I think it adds to his confidence level that he keeps up rather than detracting from it. I remember being in 6th grade and thinking that the few kids who were a whole year older than us were the “dumb” or “slow” ones because they should have been in a higher grade.

Do what you want but, on the whole, I don’t think you are doing your kid any favors by holding them back.

There are several "held back" kids in my kids' grades. In no way are they outcasts, looked down on, or considered dumb or slow. They have as many friends as the rest and the kids may know their age but it's more like "How come he gets to be the first one to be 8" so all the doom and gloom doesn't exist at all from what I can see.

Maybe at 8 but kids become much shrewder and aware of how hierarchies work in the real world by middle school. Plus you don’t know what any of these kids privately think in their heads. It’s not like I announced my thoughts to anyone, I knew they were not “nice.” Just honest.

Sorry, this just doesn't happen in my world. YMMV. These kids aren't the social outcasts, in fact, they are often some of the most popular kids all the way into high school. Even my husband was one of these kids and certainly didn't experience what you think is happening. My brother, on the other hand, started K as a 4 year old and struggled a lot more academically, socially, etc. He should have been held back.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How could a fifteen year old feel good about beating out a 13 year old in some competition? They’re two years older! It’s simple common sense. This is why athletics outside of school go by age.

In what school athletic scenario is a 15yo beating out a 13yo?

Some athletic orgs (baseball) group kids by 2 calendar years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm not sure why this is such a big deal. Most 8th graders will turn 14 at some point during the year, and many will be almost 15 at the end of the school year. So it's not that big a difference. 14.5 is probably the norm.

My child turns 13 during 8th grade so that’s a two year age difference. It’s a big difference.

Your child was 12 in 8th grade? That is not the norm at all! Most are 13 and turn 14 that year. My 14.5 year old just finished 8th and my 12 year old is now going into 7th. And we sent them on time. Your math seems off!

Your math is off, my child was 13 the entire 8th grade year.

All the birthdays my child attended in 8th grade were for kids turning 14. Nobody was 12, turning 13.

Mine was. What about the fall birthdays?? Why do people assume no kids are born in the fall or, if they are, they are held back?

Because the vast majority of people are born between July and September on a yearly basis. September is the most common month for births. https://www.rd.com/article/september-popular-birth-month/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Look kids aren’t dumb, they figure it out and often attribute any supposed advantages (height, weight, muscle mass, etc.) that an older peer might have to their older age. Children are very focused on people’s ages in general, haven’t you noticed this? It’s one of the first things they ask.

My kid has a fall birthday. He was 13 throughout 8th grade. He took 3 ninth grade classes (4 if you include FL) and played on the JV tennis team. He’ll start on varsity this year. He’s aware that he’s younger than his peers and I think it adds to his confidence level that he keeps up rather than detracting from it. I remember being in 6th grade and thinking that the few kids who were a whole year older than us were the “dumb” or “slow” ones because they should have been in a higher grade.

Do what you want but, on the whole, I don’t think you are doing your kid any favors by holding them back.

There are several "held back" kids in my kids' grades. In no way are they outcasts, looked down on, or considered dumb or slow. They have as many friends as the rest and the kids may know their age but it's more like "How come he gets to be the first one to be 8" so all the doom and gloom doesn't exist at all from what I can see.

Maybe at 8 but kids become much shrewder and aware of how hierarchies work in the real world by middle school. Plus you don’t know what any of these kids privately think in their heads. It’s not like I announced my thoughts to anyone, I knew they were not “nice.” Just honest.

My brother, on the other hand, started K as a 4 year old and struggled a lot more academically, socially, etc. He should have been held back.

Your parents aren't alone in sending kids to school before they're ready. I made the exact same mistake. I sent my December-born son to Kindergarten at 4 and also struggled in school. Not only did he graduate high school without having taken any Calculus, but he also took 6 years to get his Bachelor's degree. To this day, I still regret not waiting a year. Had I waited a year, I just know he would've graduated college in the normal 4 years, and not experienced the humiliation of watching all his friends graduate before him.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm not sure why this is such a big deal. Most 8th graders will turn 14 at some point during the year, and many will be almost 15 at the end of the school year. So it's not that big a difference. 14.5 is probably the norm.

My child turns 13 during 8th grade so that’s a two year age difference. It’s a big difference.

Your child was 12 in 8th grade? That is not the norm at all! Most are 13 and turn 14 that year. My 14.5 year old just finished 8th and my 12 year old is now going into 7th. And we sent them on time. Your math seems off!

Your math is off, my child was 13 the entire 8th grade year.

All the birthdays my child attended in 8th grade were for kids turning 14. Nobody was 12, turning 13.

Mine was. What about the fall birthdays?? Why do people assume no kids are born in the fall or, if they are, they are held back?

Because the vast majority of people are born between July and September on a yearly basis. September is the most common month for births. https://www.rd.com/article/september-popular-birth-month/

Wow. You suck at math.

A slightly higher % of people are born in those months.

In 2006, 27% births were in July-September.
https://www.livescience.com/32728-baby-month-is-almost-here-.html

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Look kids aren’t dumb, they figure it out and often attribute any supposed advantages (height, weight, muscle mass, etc.) that an older peer might have to their older age. Children are very focused on people’s ages in general, haven’t you noticed this? It’s one of the first things they ask.

My kid has a fall birthday. He was 13 throughout 8th grade. He took 3 ninth grade classes (4 if you include FL) and played on the JV tennis team. He’ll start on varsity this year. He’s aware that he’s younger than his peers and I think it adds to his confidence level that he keeps up rather than detracting from it. I remember being in 6th grade and thinking that the few kids who were a whole year older than us were the “dumb” or “slow” ones because they should have been in a higher grade.

Do what you want but, on the whole, I don’t think you are doing your kid any favors by holding them back.

There are several "held back" kids in my kids' grades. In no way are they outcasts, looked down on, or considered dumb or slow. They have as many friends as the rest and the kids may know their age but it's more like "How come he gets to be the first one to be 8" so all the doom and gloom doesn't exist at all from what I can see.

Maybe at 8 but kids become much shrewder and aware of how hierarchies work in the real world by middle school. Plus you don’t know what any of these kids privately think in their heads. It’s not like I announced my thoughts to anyone, I knew they were not “nice.” Just honest.

My brother, on the other hand, started K as a 4 year old and struggled a lot more academically, socially, etc. He should have been held back.

Your parents aren't alone in sending kids to school before they're ready. I made the exact same mistake. I sent my December-born son to Kindergarten at 4 and also struggled in school. Not only did he graduate high school without having taken any Calculus, but he also took 6 years to get his Bachelor's degree. To this day, I still regret not waiting a year. Had I waited a year, I just know he would've graduated college in the normal 4 years, and not experienced the humiliation of watching all his friends graduate before him.

He would have struggled regardless of the grade he was in and needed more help and support. Some kids aren’t math kids and you don’t need calculus in the real world. 6 years for college is absurd. There is clearly more going on than age.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Look kids aren’t dumb, they figure it out and often attribute any supposed advantages (height, weight, muscle mass, etc.) that an older peer might have to their older age. Children are very focused on people’s ages in general, haven’t you noticed this? It’s one of the first things they ask.

My kid has a fall birthday. He was 13 throughout 8th grade. He took 3 ninth grade classes (4 if you include FL) and played on the JV tennis team. He’ll start on varsity this year. He’s aware that he’s younger than his peers and I think it adds to his confidence level that he keeps up rather than detracting from it. I remember being in 6th grade and thinking that the few kids who were a whole year older than us were the “dumb” or “slow” ones because they should have been in a higher grade.

Do what you want but, on the whole, I don’t think you are doing your kid any favors by holding them back.

There are several "held back" kids in my kids' grades. In no way are they outcasts, looked down on, or considered dumb or slow. They have as many friends as the rest and the kids may know their age but it's more like "How come he gets to be the first one to be 8" so all the doom and gloom doesn't exist at all from what I can see.

Maybe at 8 but kids become much shrewder and aware of how hierarchies work in the real world by middle school. Plus you don’t know what any of these kids privately think in their heads. It’s not like I announced my thoughts to anyone, I knew they were not “nice.” Just honest.

My brother, on the other hand, started K as a 4 year old and struggled a lot more academically, socially, etc. He should have been held back.

Your parents aren't alone in sending kids to school before they're ready. I made the exact same mistake. I sent my December-born son to Kindergarten at 4 and also struggled in school. Not only did he graduate high school without having taken any Calculus, but he also took 6 years to get his Bachelor's degree. To this day, I still regret not waiting a year. Had I waited a year, I just know he would've graduated college in the normal 4 years, and not experienced the humiliation of watching all his friends graduate before him.

He would have struggled regardless of the grade he was in and needed more help and support. Some kids aren’t math kids and you don’t need calculus in the real world. 6 years for college is absurd. There is clearly more going on than age.

Wow, are you a developmental pediatrician or do you just play one on the internet?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Look kids aren’t dumb, they figure it out and often attribute any supposed advantages (height, weight, muscle mass, etc.) that an older peer might have to their older age. Children are very focused on people’s ages in general, haven’t you noticed this? It’s one of the first things they ask.

My kid has a fall birthday. He was 13 throughout 8th grade. He took 3 ninth grade classes (4 if you include FL) and played on the JV tennis team. He’ll start on varsity this year. He’s aware that he’s younger than his peers and I think it adds to his confidence level that he keeps up rather than detracting from it. I remember being in 6th grade and thinking that the few kids who were a whole year older than us were the “dumb” or “slow” ones because they should have been in a higher grade.

Do what you want but, on the whole, I don’t think you are doing your kid any favors by holding them back.

There are several "held back" kids in my kids' grades. In no way are they outcasts, looked down on, or considered dumb or slow. They have as many friends as the rest and the kids may know their age but it's more like "How come he gets to be the first one to be 8" so all the doom and gloom doesn't exist at all from what I can see.

The freshman with a mustache and a drivers license will be looked down on

Well then they’d have to be a 16 year old freshman and I’m not aware of any of those, so …