Why is redshirting so common around here?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

The whole 19 year old senior thing is real. Recall what YOU were doing when you were 19. Living under your parents roof as a senior? I don't think so.

Better than away at college at 17. There was a sad incident much in the news lately. Victim was a sophomore at 18.

That's like saying that people shouldn't get in cars because there was a bad car wreck in the news recently.

I went away to college at 17. Nothing bad happened. Therefore I wasn't in the news.

Different Strokes for Different Folks, that's all it is. The school system allows parents to make the decision of when to first enroll their kid - either at age 5 or age 6. Our kid has an August bday and we opted for age 6 because we thought that was what was right for our kid. And that covers 90%+ of the "redshirt" kids I am aware of - a summer bday (generally Aug or Sept, rarely Jun) and parents for different reasons decided to wait a year.

It took a while to decide and I am not completely sure whether we made the best decision or not. It is good in some ways, not so good in others. It has been eye opening seeing how frequently these threads start and how long they get. I used to be pretty open in talking about this but now really try to avoid it. Still get asked at times what my kids birth month is and now wonder what is on that person's mind.

No, they do not allow all parents to make the choice. As a September birthday we were forced to wait a year. My kid should have gone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

No, they do not allow all parents to make the choice. As a September birthday we were forced to wait a year. My kid should have gone.

The school system offers a limited choice. The choice is more limited if you want to send your child early than if you want to send your child late.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

This whole thread is a broken record. All I know is, I'm an anti-redshirter with faith in my children's abilities and faith in their school. That's a pretty good place to be and I'm sorry not all parents feel that way.

I sent my first child on time and my second child early, and I completely fail to understand how it's anybody's business whether I sent my children late, on time, or early.

If you don't want to redshirt, then don't.

[Anonymous]

I am with the PP.

Maybe I am not an avid sports person or maybe I just don't care enough to worry about anyone else but my own child. He has a July birthday and we will most likely have him start kindergarten when he is 5, as long as he is ready. That being said, It doesn't bother me if someone else decides to wait- regardless of their reasons. In all honesty, it is really none of my business. Whether it is to compete in sports or to give their child time to mature a little more and be able to sit still in a classroom, it doesn't matter to me. My only concern is my child and if he is the smallest because other people decided to redshirt, so be it. No big deal. There are certainly many other things that I have on my plate that are bigger concerns.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am with the PP.

Maybe I am not an avid sports person or maybe I just don't care enough to worry about anyone else but my own child. He has a July birthday and we will most likely have him start kindergarten when he is 5, as long as he is ready. That being said, It doesn't bother me if someone else decides to wait- regardless of their reasons. In all honesty, it is really none of my business. Whether it is to compete in sports or to give their child time to mature a little more and be able to sit still in a classroom, it doesn't matter to me. My only concern is my child and if he is the smallest because other people decided to redshirt, so be it. No big deal. There are certainly many other things that I have on my plate that are bigger concerns.

I'm the anti-redshirter PP and honestly, in real life, I don't care that much either! I object on principle, but my kids are fine. These DCUM discussions are so fake, though, with most of the redshirters trying to justify their decisions without admitting their real reasons. Why not be honest on an anonymous message board?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
I'm the anti-redshirter PP and honestly, in real life, I don't care that much either! I object on principle, but my kids are fine. These DCUM discussions are so fake, though, with most of the redshirters trying to justify their decisions without admitting their real reasons. Why not be honest on an anonymous message board?

How do you know what people's "real reasons" are?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I'm the anti-redshirter PP and honestly, in real life, I don't care that much either! I object on principle, but my kids are fine. These DCUM discussions are so fake, though, with most of the redshirters trying to justify their decisions without admitting their real reasons. Why not be honest on an anonymous message board?

How do you know what people's "real reasons" are?

Logic and common sense.

[Anonymous]

The red-shirters on here are so calm and reasoned! Hmmm. I think someone struck a nerve with them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I'm the anti-redshirter PP and honestly, in real life, I don't care that much either! I object on principle, but my kids are fine. These DCUM discussions are so fake, though, with most of the redshirters trying to justify their decisions without admitting their real reasons. Why not be honest on an anonymous message board?

How do you know what people's "real reasons" are?

Logic and common sense.

More like hubris, I think. Specifically, the hubris of believing that you know better than other people what those other people's reasons are.

[jsteele]

Wow, who knew this topic would bring out the crazies on both sides? I've removed a bunch of messages that were completely inappropriate. I've probably missed others, but don't want to spend more time on this thread. So, time to lock it.