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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be a bit miffed at ds's friend going up to cubs a lot earlier than ds?

31 replies

JoeyBettany · 04/01/2010 21:59

My ds (just turned 8) is a beaver scout, which he loves.

Today, I texted another beaver mum to find out if it was on tonight and she replied, a bit smugly I have to say, saying she wouldn't know as her son is starting cubs on another day.

Now, this same mother told me when my ds started, later confirmed by the leader, that it's normal to go up to cubs soon after turning 8. But her kid is only 7 and a half!

Anyone else the mum of a beaver? Are particularly advanced kids promoted earlier?

I'm not that concerned , more a bit worried that ds's classmates will be cubs and he'll be regarded as a lesser beaver

OP posts:
auntycorny · 04/01/2010 22:01

beavers is much more fun than cubs - don't worry

fishie · 04/01/2010 22:02

more like her kid is beaver nightmare and has been passed on to akela...

i am v cross to find that one can be a 5yo rainbow but not a beaver till 6.

IsItMeOrSanta · 04/01/2010 22:03

Aw bless. Can you ask the leader what's going on? I know nothing, but tbh it sounds more like something she has arranged herself.

Original poster
JoeyBettany · 04/01/2010 22:04

Well ds, bless him, although a bright lovely child, is a young immature8 year old, so maybe you are right

OP posts:
SixtyFootDoll · 04/01/2010 22:05

Maybe they have your DS's date of brth wrong?

CremeDeMenthe · 04/01/2010 22:06

I thought you were supposed to be 8 to be a cub. It can be an issue when the youngest in a group of friends get left behind, as it's done on age rather than school year. Eg DS1 started cubs in September, when he turned 8, but his classmate will be a Beaver for a whole year longer as he's summer-born.

Original poster
JoeyBettany · 04/01/2010 22:07

There's a new leader who I don't really know yet.

I tend to be the mum who drops off then skedaddles off quick for a bit of MNing so I think I'm going to have to hang around with the other mums for a bit and find out what's what.

OP posts:
arcticwind · 04/01/2010 22:07

Things changed recently and children can progress to cubs from 7 and a half now - some are ready then and others are better to wait; the timing of birthdays and terms also makes a difference.

HTH

KurriKurri · 04/01/2010 22:09

I don't think they in any way judge the maturity level of the children. It is a straight age thing. But I suppose there might be some sort of waiting list system going on.

I'd go in and ask when he's going up to cubs.

Original poster
JoeyBettany · 04/01/2010 22:09

What's the main difference between cubs and beavers?
Is it much more structured?

OP posts:
blametheparents · 04/01/2010 22:16

Main difference is you get rid of them they enjoy 2 nights (or more!) of camp rather than just 1!

bubblerock · 04/01/2010 22:21

How can you smugly text?

Original poster
JoeyBettany · 04/01/2010 22:26

well, bubblerock maybe I'm projecting here, but I interpreted the tone of the text as a wee bit smug
-as in 'well I wouldn't know about reading bands, my ds has been a free reader since year 1', kind of way (just an example btw)

OP posts:
arcticwind · 04/01/2010 22:27

With dd they gave her (and me) the choice of going up at 7.5 or staying another term in Beavers.

She chose to go up and has loved it. I think it is a little more structured in that they are expected to behave more! The activities suit her - they are similar but there is more outside stuff. One of her friends came with us to pick up ds from Beavers shortly after she had moved up and asked what the cubs uniform was like - dd's response was "similar, but the sweatshirt is thicker as we are outside more"

Harriedandflustered · 04/01/2010 22:28

You are clearly being demented right now.

Go and clean the kitchen and do some baking and forget about it.

pointydig · 04/01/2010 22:29

lol - nothing to do with being more advanced at knots and good-deed-doing. Purely age.

seeker · 04/01/2010 22:31

Why on earth do you think that going to cubs is "being promoted" and beavers are 'lesser"? It's not like that at all!

Anyway for what it's worth you have to be 8 to be a Cub, so your friend's son's Pack Leader's got it wron - unless there are very special circumstances of some sort.

Original poster
JoeyBettany · 04/01/2010 22:33

LOL harriedandflustered.

I don't think I'm being demented-a bit miffed was how I put it.

But i'm off to bed now,night night and thanks for quick replies.

OP posts:
Bleatblurt · 04/01/2010 22:36

The website says from 7yrs 6months they can move up. So the other mum shouldn't be smug about anything.

I am itching for my DS1 to go to beavers but still got an eight month wait.

Original poster
JoeyBettany · 04/01/2010 22:36

I don't think in terms of being promoted and lesser-it was said tongue in cheek to illustrate my concerns re the situation, should it impact upon my son at school. That's all

OP posts:
memoo · 04/01/2010 22:40

[green]

memoo · 04/01/2010 22:41

oh feck! baby brain

arcticwind · 04/01/2010 22:45

"In September 2008 the Association's rules for under 8s at Cub Scout meetings were changed following clarification of how the Children Act 1989 applies to Scouting. Young people can now join the Cub Scout section between the ages of 7.5 and 8.5, at a time suitable to the young person, leaders and parents/carers. The core age for Cub Scouts remains 8 to 10 and half, and for Beaver Scouts remains 6 to 8 years old. Please make sure that all involved in Cub Scouting in your County/Area/Region are aware of these changes."

from the scouts website here

Tinuviel · 04/01/2010 23:42

You can start at 7 1/2 but in our troop you have to wait until you are 8 if you are already a Beaver! DD started 3 months before her 8th birthday because she wasn't a Beaver (had been a Brownie but wasn't enjoying it and didn't seem to be doing much!)

She loves Cubs and went on her first camp last September. They certainly seem to do loads.

LittleSilver · 05/01/2010 00:47

Sorry JoeyBettany, nothing helpful to add but just wanted to wave at another Chalet fan!