School Age Gripes

One of the things that fires me up is when someone "suggests" that I should hold Drew back from Kindergarten because his birthday is in September.  I've had people "suggest" doing this when Drew was an infant, I'm talking maybe 6 weeks old.  My standard answer is "We'll see how things are when he's closer to school age," although I had to chuckle that I was given this advice LONG before my child was even out of diapers.

About a week ago, Governor Schwarzenegger signed a bill stating that kids entering school in 2014 must be 5 by September 1st (today in California it's December 2nd).  Drew will be 5 in 2012 - so legally he could enter Kindergarten a few weeks before he turns 5.

I still hold that I want to assess Drew closer to when he starts school.  Three years after receiving my first comment that I should hold Drew back, I believe academically he'll be fine, so it's the social side I want to make sure he's ready for.  This is why he's in Preschool and we've seen some enormous improvements where this is concerned.

But I don't need any outside influence, lectures or discussions about how "Little Johnny" has social issues at this school or that.  Deciding when to send your child to school I feel is a personal decision and is more than just a date.  It's about the individual child. 

If I feel he's ready I'll send him.  If I don't or his teachers say he's absolutely not ready then I won't.  But I don't need some outsider telling me what's right for my child.  Sorry.  I was a summer baby, and was always one of the youngest kids in my class (as was my brother).  We did fine socially and academically.  My sister who is a Spring baby probably struggled the most in school, but there was no reason to think about holding her back.  My parents, both started school at 4 going on 5 - they survived no known scars.  (yeah that was a long time ago and things are different now... blah blah blah).

All I'm saying is mind your P's and Q's about whether I should or shouldn't send my 3 year old to Kindergarten when he's 4 going on 5.  I have another 2 years before we need to make any final decisions and of course we'll consult his teachers for their unbiased opinion.  It would be great if we all had a crystal ball and could see what the future holds...  whether our children are better off starting school at 4, 5 or 6.  So until you have that crystal ball and can tell me for certain which decision will be the best, please refrain from unsolicited comments.

Thank you - this former Honor Roll/Deans List Summer Baby

So this isn't just a frustrated mama venting post... here's a picture I was sent earlier this week while on my way home from Orlando.  Daddy took Drew to get a haircut.  We're officially past the stage of screaming, crying, vomit-filled haircut sessions.