Reply to Did a 180 and decided to redshirt my child- question for parents who decided to do the same

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[quote=Anonymous]OP here. Wow, I didn't expect this many responses. I was unable to read them all but tried read as many as I could. I obviously cannot reply to every question posed or subject brought up but I will try to address a few...

My post was seeking "been there- done that" from parents who gave their kids the gift the time ;)  My post was not an apology or explanation/reason as to why I am redshirting my child. Numerous posters tried to dissuade me or stated my reasoning was poor, etc.. I did not list my reasons- which are many. If I must, I would say our family is not ready for a 7 hour day yet. I could have found a half-day kindergarten but I am new to all of this. Also, my son is very physical and is a class clown. he enjoys being silly and playing around. My family is in the position where half of the children in the grade below are closer in age to my child than half of the children in his grade. So either way, my son is going to be too young or too old. I do understand this could change, it may have been an anomaly. However I grew up in Hawaii and if we go back there the cutoff is July 31 and redshirting here will be a good move for us. Lastly, yes, my child doesn't want to be the youngest. He just doesn't. If that bothers him, it bothers me. My prek teacher also recs redshirting him.

Please note I shared that I read numerous research articles (even from foreign countries!) and have been looking into this for a year at least. I understand the pros and cons. This post is not about whether to redshirt. I just wanted to hear from others in my position. If for some reason I change my mind the in the future, I would rather push forward than be in the position of repeating a grade or being stuck in a grade we don't want to be in.

I fully understand that families who do not redshirt w younger birthdays will have wonderful experiences in school and it is best decision for their child. Obviously, I am likewise making the best decision for my child. Nobody is more invested than I am and of course I did my due diligence and researched this to death.

I'll add that a 6 month spread with 2 start dates would be a good way to solve some concerns brought up in this thread.

Also, my child will be 6 in kindergarten every single month of kindergarten with the exception of what- a couple weeks? The scare tactic about him being so much older is just false. He will be 4 months older than the oldest non-redshirt. Again, I look forward to him having more time to mature in high school so he can gain in wisdom and self-discipline before heading off on his own. We are a close family and I am in no rush to see him go. Life is very short, I will appreciate more time with him this year and in the future. Those that worry about things like driving, I was driving at 14 :)  Yep, in Hawaii you get your permit much earlier. So, that will be an nonissue. Honestly, none of the objections sounded important to me with the exception of academics. I do worry about that. I am hoping his interest in math will be met through differentiation. If not, Kumon it is. I'm ok with him being 18 all senior year and turning 19 right before graduation. Heck, I graduated at 17 and didn't turn 18 until November of freshmen year. It was never legal for me to drink at all during college! And yes, I got a ticket for it. I'm ok with my son being 19 his freshmen year. It is ok people.

Anyway, my reasons are my reasons and I'm not even sure I typed them all out.  Ok, whew- I hope this is enough for you dc umers. lol! Some of you seem so uptight by my post, I feel compelled to calm you down. :)

Thank you for those who mentioned that bullies can be the youngest. I've seen that as well and I do need to provide my child with other tools in his toolbelt. I agree that being older will not protect him in this manner. This was a helpful feedback.

Lastly, thank you for those who basically shared you don't really care if your child's peers are a few months older or younger and you have better things to do than gossip about young kids. Like all of you, I am merely trying to make the right decision for my child. Remember, I tried it both ways- I sent my son as being younger and now we will send him being older. So I understand both perspectives. If things don't turn out well, I will push forward later. Honestly, my son can fit in well in both grades- that's what made the decision a difficult one for us.  Btw, he is not tall as some stated. He is just average. He is not gifted as some stated. He is just very sporty and loves math so therefore he excels in it. He can fit in either grade.

And I will be proud of my child if he does well in an area, please don't discount potential achievements just bc he is redshirted. That is like saying every Sept-Dec birthday is only excelling bc they are older than the August bday who didn't redshirt. I think if anyone makes a comment like this in real life I will be offended bc why is it ok for him to be a year younger or 10 months younger but so wrong for him to be the older one? Again, he will be closer in age to many of the prek children than he will some of the kindergarten children! I never thought to tell a parent or child their redshirted child or Oct or Nov birthday child was successful in area bc they were older. It's so competitive and petty. Why not just smile and tell the kid they did a great job or that they are smart? That's what I do and it seems the normal thing to say to kids when they are proud of themselves for some reason.

I only come on this board 3 or 4 times a year. So I likely won't check back until then. take it easy moms !

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