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?

Apparently MIL has always done this. Drives her kids crazy. Especially now that they're adults! Once they've had their birthday, she adds a year on. Strange.

Agree this is strange

My DS is five in December, he's nowhere near five if people ask how old he is I say 4, or maybe 4 and a half. Because those are true. If it was November I would say he's five next month.

If a mum continually told me her kids were 5 and I realised they were 4 for another 6 months I would assume either that she's one of those pathological liars that lies every time they open their mouth OR assume she's not too focused on them.

They are 4. For quite some time yet. Why say they are 5? They are not 5. How odd.

I can’t read through all this but I would just say children are four as they actually are four. I’m wondering how many times a day people ask you? It can’t be too much trouble to say 4 and a half

This is so funny, I do this. Even after a birthday I’ll say I’m the next year. My husband said I used to say “I’m nearly 40” for six years. When I actually turned 40, he said “you nearly 50 now then”.

With kids I agree though. They grow up so fast, let them be 4. They’ll be doing SATS and spelling tests in no time at all

@SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius it’s not the number of replies or comments that I’m incredulous about but more the pure vitriol of some of the replies. Granted, I’ve not read the whole thread but some were accusing her of being an abusive parent which is frankly batshit if it’s based on her rounding up her kids ages.

My father rounds up ages and it has annoyed the hell out of me for years.

I’d get comments like, “well you are 25.” About a month after I turned 24.

He does the same with my daughter. I pointed out she wasn’t even three and a half when he said she was four.

Proper ages please.

Do you round your own age up? I'm guessing not!

@stardance

Apparently MIL has always done this. Drives her kids crazy. Especially now that they're adults! Once they've had their birthday, she adds a year on. Strange.

So; when they've just celebrated their 30th birthday, for example, she decides they're now 31? I'd assume anyone doing this was a bit simple, if you don't mind me saying so 🙄

They’re 4 you crazy loon

Strange but not unreasonable Team DH though

How weird. Why wouldn’t you just say five in November. Your husband is right, by saying they are older than they are would mean people expecting more of them in terms of development and more importantly behaviour in public.

The only time I would give the wrong age for my kids is if a) entry to somewhere was free under a particular age they had just passed eg they just turned 5 and under 5s were free, or b) if they were very nearly the right age to be allowed to do something eg they needed to be 5 to participate in an activity and they were almost 5.
Either way only if there was only a month or so in it.
Otherwise, I can't see why you wouldn't say their actual age.

This is so weird. I agree with your husband.

Can we use this batshit logic to round up 2020 please? Thanks

@FinlandFlag Can we use this batshit logic to round up 2020 please?

Ex does this. It’s a Greek thing. Son for example becomes 13, he says so he’s turning 14.
I say, no he’s 13. He continues to say turning 14. Because your first year you don’t have a number, I guess. 😟 Also. They didn’t do birthdays in the past. Only name days. 🤷‍♀️

Strange. Just say they are 4.

Yes it’s an odd thing to do, I’m with your husband on this. A 6 month age gap in these early years is huge! My son is one of the youngest in his year and we can see what a huge difference that is in terms of maturity and development than say someone who’s birthday is earlier in the year. I know it’s not the same for everyone as children develop at their own pace but from my two, there’s definitely a pattern.

Randomly .... I do this too. No idea why!!!!

@minipilling

This just made me think of that part in Matilda:

'you're only four years old'
'I'm six and a half'
'you're four'
'six and a half'
'five then'

but in reverse!

1st thing I thought of too! yeah they are 4, my twins are 5 but 6 next month. Also think it is really odd plus if your kids are there wouldn't they say, mine certainly would

I can’t even believe this thread began in the first place!
What a load of unimportant twaddle in the scheme of - anything basically !

November is not near enough for you to call them 5 years old yet. And your other "roundings" make no sense either.