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Parenting

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Original poster

Oldest in the year? Good or bad?

17 replies

gemloving · 15/01/2023 22:12

Our baby no 3 will be an early September baby I believe (if everything goes well). I never really thought about it (and have no idea why I am thinking about it now), my others are born in Jan and April (nobody has started school yet) but is it good to be September baby and the oldest in the year?

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Beees · 15/01/2023 22:14

What an odd question of course there are huge benefits to being one of the oldest in the year it's been well researched and documented for decades.

Manifest828 · 15/01/2023 22:16

Beees · 15/01/2023 22:14

What an odd question of course there are huge benefits to being one of the oldest in the year it's been well researched and documented for decades.

It's not an odd question at all if you do not know. I queried this too as I'm due my second and baby will either be an august born or September born child depending how baby feels at time of arrival. I'd want to know the answer to this too

Squirrelsnut · 15/01/2023 22:20

I was the oldest in the year and always found school work pretty easy. I sometimes found my peers a bit silly and struggled to fit in at times. Overall I'm glad I was older rather than younger.

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Original poster

gemloving · 15/01/2023 22:24

@Squirrelsnut I do get that but wonder if boys would feel the same (not sure I should assume you are a woman but I just did).

I don't actually know what we're having but husband and I don't believe we can make girls haha x

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Merple · 15/01/2023 22:28

Beneficial mostly. The only downside is those times where you don't know who to invite to your party, as you've just moved classes or schools. Or parties clash as there are a lot of September dc. Generally, and not always the case, can find the work easier and are more emotionally mature. Get to do everything first eg driving lessons.

Beees · 15/01/2023 22:29

It's not an odd question at all if you do not know.

It is odd though as it's been so well known for such a long time, It's naturally going to be beneficial to be one of the eldest especially in the first few years of school when that gap in age can make a significant difference.

The statistics speak for themselves and it's why we have the option to defer for summer borns and why many people actively try to conceive for a September /October baby.

It doesn't matter if the child is a boy or a girl being almost a year older than some of your peers especially in reception and Yr1 can make a staggering difference especially to a child's confidence.

Mumoftwoinprimary · 15/01/2023 22:34

Great at 4 / 5. Rubbish at 18.

I am an August birthday. Got my A level results, turned 18, went to university.

My brother was October. Turned 18 then had nearly a year at home being legally an adult but still a “schoolboy”. He and my parents nearly killed each other.

NuffSaidSam · 15/01/2023 22:35

Beees · 15/01/2023 22:14

What an odd question of course there are huge benefits to being one of the oldest in the year it's been well researched and documented for decades.

It's odd that the OP isn't aware of every single thing that's ever been well researched?

What an odd reply.

JaninaDuszejko · 15/01/2023 22:38

I think the benefit for boys is even greater being the oldest in the year at school because boys are often less mature than girls.

Original poster

gemloving · 15/01/2023 22:45

@Beees I might note that I did not grow up in the UK but mainland Europe. I started school at the age of 6, not 4. Preschool at the age of 5. Reception does not exist where I grew up, so that's a strange one for me anyway.

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chickbean · 15/01/2023 22:48

DS1 is end of August and DS2 beginning of September. I would have crossed my legs for 2 more days if I could with DS1 - it has taken him years to catch up socially (always the smallest, disadvantaged in sport). DS2 is very confident and well-adjusted.

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gemloving · 15/01/2023 22:50

@chickbean thank you for your honest response! I'm due 19th September (no scans yet but they usually take 3 days away) & I'm likely to have a planned c section so very likely baby will be born in the first two weeks of September.

It's good to know it might help him/her.

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Original poster

gemloving · 15/01/2023 22:51

@JaninaDuszejko this makes sense. When we have NCT meet ups, we can somewhat tell that the girls are just a bit further if that makes sense?

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Blanketpolicy · 15/01/2023 23:03

Ds, Feb birthday, we deferred him so he started school as 2nd oldest in his year aged 5 1/2 (Scotland).

The only time it had been a problem was when he turned 18 and none of his friends were old enough to go to the pub with him, but they are making up for it now 🤣

Otherwise he had a great time at school, being that little bit older he was more mature and had more confidence. Approached his revision and exam years (during covid) with maturity. Was the first of his friends to learn to drive. Has now started uni at 18 1/2 (instead of 17 1/2) and loving it.

cariadlet · 15/01/2023 23:09

I'm a primary school teacher and when I became pregnant, I was so happy to have a September due date.

The advantage is greatest in Reception and then reduces as the children get older.

When children start school, the September borns are almost 5 while the August borns have only just turned 4. The difference is almost a quarter of their age. It makes a really big difference.

Lou670 · 15/01/2023 23:09

My eldest is a September birthday and my youngest an August birthday so experienced both ends of the scale! My eldest was more than ready for school but my youngest really struggled. After the first year it balanced out but the first year was tough on my youngest.

I found it so strange that there is 2 years 11 months in age between them, yet there was only two school years! I do think the elder ones of the year have the advantage of being more emotionally developed to cope with the first day of school.

Lovemydoggiesomuch · 15/01/2023 23:15

My children were September,July and January. Can honestly say they all thrived at school and are all post grad. If any of mine was a bit behind it was January born …he is 22 and earning a huge amount in the city. Really doesn’t make any difference to outcome…happiness ,health and lovely people is the best we can hope for as parents.

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