To tell people that my twins are five?

[lukasiak]

Even though they technically don't turn five until November?

Dh is in a right hump about it. He thinks by me telling everybody that they are already five that it makes people place age inappropriate expectations on them. I think it's all just semantics, and those who actually need to know their real age know it. It's a bad habit I picked up from my mother, and my older children have survived me rounding their age up once their birthdays drew close with out being labelled as having additional needs, as seems to be DH's primary concern.

Is it really that big of a deal?

I don’t really understand why you would round their ages up as there doesn’t seem to be an advantage to it at all and, in my opinion, it will lead people to having unrealistic expectations of their behaviour. The difference that 5 months makes in is quite significant in children that young.

Your DH is right. They are four, and are nowhere near five. It’s very odd to say they are five.

There is a big difference between 4.5 and 5, especially, as I assume they haven’t started school yet ? It just sounds like it could end up in a confusing conversation. Must be confusing for the children too. If they were 5 in a week, I’d still be saying nearly 5. My daughter knew when her birthday was and when she was 5 etc by telling people she was 5 before she was I think she’d be confused.

Weird. Why would you round their ages up? My dd for example is now 6 1/2, and then will be 6 3/4, and until the day she turns 7 she’ll be nearly 7. What is there to celebrate on their birthday if they already think they’re that age anyway?
Very odd.

Rounding up is very odd. Never heard of that before always round down.

They aren't 5 - they're 4. With nearly 6 months til their bday that's a heck of a chunk you knocked off. At 4 6 months is a large chunk of life and learning. What's even the point - its just a lie. My daughter has her bday in September but im not saying she is 8 because she isn't, she's 7.

My mum used to do this and it drove me bonkers, really annoyed me that she couldn’t just use my real age!

A little odd in the UK. But I’m wondering where you/your parents grew up?
Lots of Germans confuse people by referring to their Lebensjahr (year of life) rather than their actual age. Thus your 4 year old twins would be 5 as they are in their 5th year of life.

It's very odd, never heard anyone round up, but I wouldn't be in a temper about it..even though I completely agree with your DH. Kids are pushed to grow up too early.
And it can create some dodgyness later

Eg
Sorry madam but your child told me their age so they've got to pay full price.

Can I have/watch movie game...you said I was...

Have you seen the twins they can't even.. My little Tarquin could do that at 4

Obv other darker things but they're unlikely.

Not end of world stuff but on his side YOU'RE DHs

My children are 1 & 3 and both have November birthdays. November is so far away that I wouldn't round up yet. They just passed their half birthday afterall! And my birthday is in August. I'm 38. I wouldn't dare tell people I'm 39 yet because that's practically 40!

I think I would say 4 as well. People tend to compare sizes of young children and ask birthdays and so on. To save any confusion just say they are 4. If it was a month before you could understand. But I would just say they are 5 next month.

Isn't that confusing for your children?! One of the weirdest things I've heard.

They are not 5, you are lying! I am with your DH... You are bonkers and very likely to pass on the madness just like your Mother!

Sorry OP but I’m with your DH on this one!
By stating that they are 5 you’re at risk of other people unduly high expectations on them, especially as in this case for example people might think that they have already been at school for a year when of course they won’t be starting school in September!
Just say they’re 4 or 4.5 or pre-school or etc...

There is literally no sense to this at all.... I'm with your DH.

Sorry OP but I’m with your DH on this one!
By stating that they are 5 you’re at risk of other people placing unduly high expectations on them, especially as in this case for example people might think that they have already been at school for a year when of course they won’t be starting school until September!
Just say they’re 4 or 4.5 or pre-school etc...

So weird do you add a year on to your own birthday too? They’re 4 until the day they’re five! You could say nearly 5 a month or two before but they’re still 4.

My mum use to do this and me and my brother hated it. I just tell people my children's actual age or if they are near a birthday I will say nearly 10 years old etc.

WTF, are people short of shit to care about today? Is this some sort of Mumsnet twilight zone I’ve stumbled into?

@lukasiak- to answer your question; it’s not actually that big of a deal

Seems odd to me - they’re still 4 so why not just say they’re 4? Wouldn’t consider it to be that big of a deal though.

My daughter is 5 but to save any confusion I just round it up to 32
Op YABU and a little batshit

@Friedmushroom

WTF, are people short of shit to care about today? Is this some sort of Mumsnet twilight zone I’ve stumbled into?

@lukasiak- to answer your question; it’s not actually that big of a deal

Well - you answered too, @Friedmushroom - so either you are equally short of shit to worry about, or it is reasonable of you to answer @lukasiak‘s question - which begs the question, why isn’t it OK for the rest of us to do the same?

Think about it this way, my daughter is 18 in September, she wouldn’t tell people she’s 18 does that mean she can buy alcohol and say she’s 18 already? I think you should just say they’re 4.

I wonder if this is related to a different culture?
My mum always said we were the year older as soon as we hit the half way mark lol.
It used to annoy me so much.
And I know certain countries count the time in the womb as part of your age, so as soon as you're born, you're pretty much 1 year.

It's weird to do that. Nobody does that. It's bizarre and unnecessary. Like everybody else says, just say 4 and a half. A few months does matter with very young children in development. But in any case, I really can't understand why you would do that and make a habit of it. And if your children overhear you saying it, confusing to them as well. Your DH must think you're a bit potty.