Holding children back = new trend

[Astrid]

Even if the age cut off went by calender year, you'd still have up to a year in age differnce between the kids anyway? Theres really nothing much you can do to remove the age gaps. Also, if you move states, you end up with big age differences too sometimes, depending on where you are going to/from.

A year gap is always going to happen, but it is much better than 16 or 18 months, which is what is happening at the moment depending on the state. At least at year 12 all students will turn 18 at some stage during the year, as opposed to some turning 18 and another bunch turning 17.

[Papillon]

But see, she wont. She wont turn 18 until the year after she finish's year 12. She will turn 17 during year 12 (well at the start basically).

So that could work in her favor, or against.

i.e having a car in year 12 would be great, BUT, being able to get into clubs, could distract her away from studies...

hmmmmprh

[Liz]

I was 17 in the January of year 12. I was driving to school, but couldn't drink haha. I didn't feel behind or like I was missing anything.

[Astrid]

But see, she wont. She wont turn 18 until the year after she finish's year 12. She will turn 17 during year 12 (well at the start basically).

So that could work in her favor, or against.

i.e having a car in year 12 would be great, BUT, being able to get into clubs, could distract her away from studies...

hmmmmprh

I found when I was in year 12 those who wanted to go out did, regardless of if they were old enough or not, as that is what their friends were doing. Also not everyone who turned 18 suddenly went out clubbing and neglected their studies, it is really one of those things that depends on personality.

[Trillian]

TBH, not being 18 in year 12 (january baby so I didn't turn 18 till the following year) certainly didn't stop me from drinking and partying...

[Tanya]

I put DD#3 into 3yo fungroup this year and she was 4 in March. So 4yo kinda next year and school in 2011...

I think most teachers see that most parents keep their kids home for longer so recommended that because there would be more than 12 months between her and some of the other kids. I KNow Violet would be more ready for school next year and would love it... but I don't want her to be at a disadvantage because of a few months....

I dunno....

[butterfly_warrior]

I didn't turn 18 until the February AFTER I finished year 12. This didn't disadvantage me in any way, shape or form. I wasn't exactly a socialite so it didn't bother me at all that others were out drinking and partying - I was happier at home with my nose in a book. For all that, I was dux of my year, and pretty bored through most of my early years of schooling. If I'd been kept back things would have been extremely painful for all concerned.

You need to look at where she's at NOW rather than what she may be wanting to do in 12-13 years time. If she's ready for school next year, then send her.

I suspect people are keeping kids back the extra year with private schools so that they're not out an extra year of school fees of their child needs to repeat. But not that long ago I was reading an article that said the "trend" was reversing - that parents were finding it more affordable to put their children in school when they are turning 5 (as opposed to 6 like this school is pushing) because it's cheaper than paying for another year of childcare.

BW

[Trillian]

BW, I know several mums who have done that and the poor little things were in no way ready for school and with one family in particular, all of them have repeated kindergarten so far and I expect her DD that started this year to be in kindergarten with my DD next year. With public schooling there is little or next to no cost at all. Much much cheaper than several $1000's for child care