Two DC will be in the same school year, but they're not twins.

[milesbehindyou]

Has anyone else had any experience of this? There is 11 months between them. I'm just wondering if they'll always be thought of as twins, etc.?

My friend has a year minus 5 days between her girls who will be due to start school the same year. She is planning on keeping the youngest behind as she doesn't want the, in the same year

DD has twins and their older sister in her year group. It doesn't appear to be an issue.

Me, my brother and my (step)sister were all in the same year. none of us are twins. that confused people quite often, but after the initial explanation about blended families it wasn't a big deal.

I've taught a couple of sets of siblings like that - never aware of any issues. If there is more than one form in each year, you can always ask for them to be in different classes as I would with twins anyway and, as others have said, once you've answered once to the 'are they twins' question, then that's the end of it.

There is 18 months between my oldest ds and dd. They are in different years at school, but for the last two years have been in a composite class with each other.

I was asked if I objected to having them in the same class, but as they didn't have any issues with it, I didn't have any objections.

They seem to get along well, the teachers have commented that they have a lot of mutual friends but their own groups of friends, and a TA seconded to the class said she couldn't guess which two children were siblings even though she had been told there were siblings in the class.

I think as long as they don't fall out with each other a lot, and they each have their own friends without any conflict it is nothing to be concerned about

Irish twins = siblings born within 12 months of each other. Often in the same school year.

I'm from a big Irish Catholic family, we have lots. Even now with modern contraception there's a cultural preference for big families in Ireland, hence the colloquialism. Sorry if it offends anyone - I don't see it as derogatory, but maybe it is?

I would sway towards holding the younger one back a year. I'm not sure why though, it would just be my instinct. Maybe something to do with direct comparison and competition?

I don't think Irish Twins is meant as a derogatory term? I've never heard it used as an insult/joke/mocking, only descriptive.

Yes. I've known quite a few cases. Aren't they what's known as Irish Twins.
Wasn't there a case about 6/7 years ago where one twin was born 31 Aug at say 11.50pm and the other twin was born at around 1205 am on 1 Sept. Obviously putting them in separate years

"Irish twins" offends people because there's an air of "omg the idiots, they're so randy and don't know about contraception".

Would you say "Catholic twins"? No, because you're playing on the "Irish=stupid" stereotype.

I did hear of someone who managed to conceive again before her preemie was discharged, and that second baby was also prem, so there was only about eight months between them ... but on the whole there tends to be at least ten months, so probably only 10% of siblings born within a year will actually be in the same school year (and in Scotland one might be tempted to defer the younger precisely to keep them apart).

DS1 has actual twins in his class. They happen to be in different groups for literacy and maths, they have different groups of friends, and we often forget that they're related until the same mum picks them up together. No big deal most of the time.

I have never heard the phrase "Irish twins" before but googling it, it seems some consider it derogatory.

en.m.wiktionary.org/wiki/Irish_twin

She is planning on keeping the youngest behind as she doesn't want the, in the same year
Personally I think that it is unfair to hold a child back from education for a year just because she doesn't want them to be in the same year.

It may not be an issue for them to be in the same school year (just as with twins) but if you are worried about it you will have the option to put you DC2 in the year below - presumably an August Birthday? 11 months is a huge difference at 4/5 years old and could end up being a big disadvantage of younger DC is compared to older DC. Then again, it totally depends on the child - you may find your children have similar mental/physical development despite the age gap and therefore no issues at all. Just have to play it by ear.... I know a number of people who changed year throughout their school life so hopefully whatever school they end up going to will be flexible to help out your DC

I have a pair (51 weeks apart), and don't mind the term Irish twins. They are also going to be in the same class next year - school has mixed year classes so although they will both be in their correct year and class, they will be in the same class. DD (the younger) is very bright, wants the world to know it and is going to rule the world fairly soon, so it will be interesting to see how her also very bright, but not that fussed, and much less confident big brother fairs with her snapping at his heels...

Non issue really.

I have twin boys and my friend has a boy and girl born 11 months apart in the same year. We have two classes in each year and like me, my friend decided to put one in each class.

As with my two they are both individuals with completely different personalities.

Dc2 and 3 are 10 months apart but fall into different school years. They have been at nursery together ( one class) and it's been fine - they pretty much ignore each other ( and leave the fighting for home )

I know fraternal twins who act like they came from separate neighborhoods, let alone different families.
The doctor's receptionist said to my Great Aunt Edie, "There's a mistake in your chart. I have you down for two babies in 1952." My aunt replied, "Well, it wasn't made in this office."