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Original poster

Is having an August baby really so terrible?

273 replies

SunflowerOwl · 17/04/2021 21:18

I'm expecting my first DD in late August. I'm so excited and thrilled.

But people keep telling me I should 'keep my legs crossed' until September as summer babies are at a massive disadvantage when they start school, they will be a year younger etc.

Aside from the fact that theres very little I can do about when she decides to arrive, is it really so terrible? People are starting to make me feel like I've set my child up to fail already and it's making me feel pretty crap.

OP posts:
blvdbrokendreams · 17/04/2021 21:19

I have a 15th August baby..she was supposed to be a September baby but came early..shes only 8 months old and I've never heard this before.

Luzina · 17/04/2021 21:20

Not in my experience. My 15yo DS has done really well at school. Your baby is coming in August regardless, don’t worry about things you can’t change

AvonCallingBarksdale · 17/04/2021 21:21

Tosh. I’m an August birthday and have managed pretty well - I was reading before I started school. DS is late July and has never struggled socially or academically. Don’t worry and enjoy your pregnancy Smile

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Carycy · 17/04/2021 21:21

1: she is a girl which helps.
2: you can now defer a year if you don’t think she is ready.
So there is no need to stress about it.
For what it’s worth I am late July and never struggled that I can remember.

Original poster
SunflowerOwl · 17/04/2021 21:21

I'd never heard it before either. It certainly wasn't on my mind when we started trying! But now that several people have made comments I'm feeling paranoid.

OP posts:
ShutUpAlex · 17/04/2021 21:21

My 22nd of august baby is top of her class.

Aliceandthemarchhare · 17/04/2021 21:21

Oh, people do say silly things. She’ll be a lovely late summer baby. I’m sure august is the most popular month for babies anyway.

Original poster
SunflowerOwl · 17/04/2021 21:21

@Carycy why does being a girl help?

OP posts:
Original poster
SunflowerOwl · 17/04/2021 21:22

Aw that's brilliant @ShutUpAlex!

OP posts:
peak2021 · 17/04/2021 21:22

Three August children in my school class. All have had successful careers, both the woman and the two men.

NavaniKholinRocks · 17/04/2021 21:23

I’m a late August baby. No disadvantage here, other than maybe sports but I have crap coordination anyway! Academically I was skipped ahead a year at primary school, got all As at GCSE and A Level, then got a first class honours degree at a respected university. Not trying to boast, just showing that being an August baby didn’t hold me back.

Remember the most important thing for your baby is you and your love. Focus on that and ignore anyone else’s silly opinions Grin

AnnaSW1 · 17/04/2021 21:23

It's only the case for the first couple of years of schooling and then there is no real difference

NiceTwin · 17/04/2021 21:23

My mud August baby is as bright as a button, predicted 9's in all her GCSE's.

I would say she was socially immature and struggled with friendships at school but she has not long been diagnosed with Aspergers, which will have more to do.with it than being a young one.

Northernsoullover · 17/04/2021 21:24

I've got a late August boy. Its not been bad at all. I don't understand all the angst. It also saved a fortune in nursery fees so that's another positive

EnglishRain · 17/04/2021 21:25

You'll probably get all worried about it and she will be late and be a september baby anyway!

DD is July born but not at school yet. SIL is a teacher and says it's worse for boys than girls being summer born, in terms of girls generally develop and catch up with peers very quickly, but it's the boys who might find it a bit harder. I asked SIL what she thought about holding back a year etc and she said she thinks in the majority of cases it can do more harm than good, certainly for girls. That reassured me. I am sure there are cases where holding back has been the right decision for plenty of children, but I'm not worried now. Although I am a bit gutted I only get four years and a month with my baby before she goes off to school..!

Morechocmorechoc · 17/04/2021 21:25

I'm end August. Loved being younger in my class and summer birthday is awesome. Age gap of a few months makes zero difference in ability to learn. I did better than most in my year. I have winter babies and feel bad for them.

chorusline79 · 17/04/2021 21:26

Why are people so bloody insensitive?!
I had this when I was expecting my DS in august, and it really upset me as I started to think I should have planned it better and I'd let him down. I even had one mum tell me I would need to get him a tutor - this was when I was pregnant! Well he actually came in sept but my daughter was born end of July and I'm told is excelling at school and you would never know she is a summer born. Hope you can enjoy your pregnancy and don't let others hang ups and silly comments get to you.

Cuntryhouse · 17/04/2021 21:26

Mine struggles and would have been happier in the year below. I expect there will be a time when this is no longer the case. Lockdown hasn't helped.

BigButtons · 17/04/2021 21:26

My early August boy did suffer a lot. At 21 he is still playing catch-up.

someoneiou · 17/04/2021 21:27

My mother was late august baby - she went on to be very successful.

DSS, 17, is august born and he's one of the brightest, if not the brightest, students in his class. Currently on academic scholarship at his school.

AlwaysLatte · 17/04/2021 21:27

My youngest is a late summer baby (boy) and initially I wanted to defer school for a year due to late development in speech (glue ear) but the Head said he would have to go straight into Year 1 at age 5 and miss Reception, which seemed no better. So he went off at just 4. He was totally fine, as were the other children born around the same time. He's off to grammar school in September. They really do catch up so I wouldn't worry.

DrDreReturns · 17/04/2021 21:27

DS is an August baby. He found the first couple of years at school tough. Since then he's been fine. He's in year 10 now and is predicted good GCSEs.

OnlyFoolsnMothers · 17/04/2021 21:27

I love that my first born is august- she starts school this year and tbh i have no idea what I would do with her at home for another year if September born. She is more than ready for school.
I loved that in the haze of my first baby I had lovely light evenings and warm days to keep be happy, I love that we could do for walks to clear my head after a bad night. I love the fact that every birthday has been in our garden. I love that I have less childcare expenses as she starts school early Grin
I love a summer born baby!!!

brizzlewizzle · 17/04/2021 21:27

End of August DD - academically no problems whatsoever; emotionally took a year or two once she started school to catch up with her friends. Now flying in secondary school. Don't worry at all

DorotheaHomeAlone · 17/04/2021 21:27

My August baby has thrived at school socially and academically. She’s in Y2 now and well ahead in pretty much everything. She would have been bored rigid waiting another year before starting school. It honestly would have been awful for her. This summer baby thing seems like a new obsession. I’m early summer and never remember anyone mentioning it when I was a kid.