Well, I'd guess that the opinions of some are from those not old enough to be parents of kids of that age yet. I held my son back and he and I agree it was the best decision that his mother and I have made. It has helped him athletically, and he already was a straight A student, so there has been no benefit academically. But I will say this, he will now graduate a year later, and hopefully a year more mature. If I can keep him in my house for an extra year, hopefully guiding him as he matures to make better decisions for his future, well,,,,that's my prerogative. It seems that it wasn't that long ago when I left the "nest" off to college. But when I step back and look at all that has changed, the challenges that he'll face are even greater than the ones I faced. That year of maturity may be just what he needs to make better decisions and possibly avoid some of the pitfalls he'd have made a year sooner.

 

Exactly. :thumb:

Well, I'd guess that the opinions of some are from those not old enough to be parents of kids of that age yet. I held my son back and he and I agree it was the best decision that his mother and I have made. It has helped him athletically, and he already was a straight A student, so there has been no benefit academically. But I will say this, he will now graduate a year later, and hopefully a year more mature. If I can keep him in my house for an extra year, hopefully guiding him as he matures to make better decisions for his future, well,,,,that's my prerogative. It seems that it wasn't that long ago when I left the "nest" off to college. But when I step back and look at all that has changed, the challenges that he'll face are even greater than the ones I faced. That year of maturity may be just what he needs to make better decisions and possibly avoid some of the pitfalls he'd have made a year sooner.

Devil's Advocate here.

 

Why not hold him back after 9th or 10th grade? If academics are not an issue but it is just a case of wanting a year more maturity before cutting the strings so to speak wouldn't it make more sense to do it when he was older to see if he really needed it?

 

Holding a kid back just to gain an athletic edge is reprehensible as far as I'm concerned.

Devil's Advocate here.

 

 

 

Why not hold him back after 9th or 10th grade? If academics are not an issue but it is just a case of wanting a year more maturity before cutting the strings so to speak wouldn't it make more sense to do it when he was older to see if he really needed it?

 

 

 

Holding a kid back just to gain an athletic edge is reprehensible as far as I'm concerned.

Heck, why hold him back in school at all? Just make him wait a year before he starts college.

I really don't see why its so bad.

Devil's Advocate here.

 

Why not hold him back after 9th or 10th grade? If academics are not an issue but it is just a case of wanting a year more maturity before cutting the strings so to speak wouldn't it make more sense to do it when he was older to see if he really needed it?

 

Holding a kid back just to gain an athletic edge is reprehensible as far as I'm concerned.

I chose the 6th grade because I liked the teacher he'd get again. Frankly, considering I know his age when he'd have graduated before this decision, I wish in hindsight that I'd just have started him in kindergarten a year later. And I hope you're not serious about the 9th or 10th grade question, I think JUGG 81-84 answered that . And with regards to the athletic edge, those edges tend to close their gaps somewhere around the soph. year IMO. So, I don't think that the presumed "edge" is all it's cracked up to be.

I chose the 6th grade because I liked the teacher he'd get again. Frankly, considering I know his age when he'd have graduated before this decision, I wish in hindsight that I'd just have started him in kindergarten a year later. And I hope you're not serious about the 9th or 10th grade question, I think JUGG 81-84 answered that . And with regards to the athletic edge, those edges tend to close their gaps somewhere around the soph. year IMO. So, I don't think that the presumed "edge" is all it's cracked up to be.

I know others, who started their children too soon and held them back, as you have described.

 

Graduating at 17, is too young.

^^ Thats how old I was when I graduated, my football coaches yelled at my mom all the time for starting me early.

^^ Thats how old I was when I graduated, my football coaches yelled at my mom all the time for starting me early.

As are a lot of graduates. Without revealing too much, did you go to work, college or take a year off.

College and part-time job, second year.

As are a lot of graduates. Without revealing too much, did you go to work, college or take a year off.

I graduated at 17 and immediately joined the Marine Corps.

College and part-time job, second year.

I'm sure you adjusted well but I can see many parents, faced with the possibility of their child, going off to college with 1.5 years of driving experience and perhaps, just turning 18 or even 17....scarry to me.

 

I can speak from experience, those with hindsight on holding back early, to eliminate the 16yr old Senior or 17, when they graduate....should be considered. Some are mature enough to adjust at an early age, while others may not be.

I started my senior year at 16 and didn't turn 17 until the end of October. Way too young.

 

Now I don't agree with holding kids back in MS, I do like it when kids are held back before they start school. My little girl just turned 5 and she could have started Kindergarden this year and we decided to wait. I did not want her to start her senior year at 16 and turn 17 a week into it. She will now be 18 when she graduates.

My sister did the same thing with her boy. she waited until he was 6 to start Kindergarden. He will be 18 when he graduates.

I think parents should look at it before their kid even starts school.

I'd be curious to hear from those who were actually held back to find out if they feel they were wronged in any way. My guess is that the overwhelming majority would say it was a good thing and thankful that they were held back.

I completely understand what you mean, always being the baby of everything was rough, but I got use to it fast. However starting highschool younger, and being the last to drive, was way worse than college has been.

I started my senior year at 16 and didn't turn 17 until the end of October. Way too young.

 

Now I don't agree with holding kids back in MS, I do like it when kids are held back before they start school. My little girl just turned 5 and she could have started Kindergarden this year and we decided to wait. I did not want her to start her senior year at 16 and turn 17 a week into it. She will now be 18 when she graduates.

My sister did the same thing with her boy. she waited until he was 6 to start Kindergarden. He will be 18 when he graduates.

I think parents should look at it before their kid even starts school.

I agree with that and as I stated earlier, wish I had done just that.