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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

August baby - likely to struggle?

41 replies

marshaF · 25/08/2014 07:32

Hi ladies,
I am currently expecting my first baby and my due date was 19 aug.
My friend, who also happens to be a primary school teacher, came to see me a couple of weeks ago and started a conversation about the likely disadvantages of my baby being born in August. She said that when she Starts TTC she will avoid the summer months from May onwards for this reason. This is not something I had considered, and as I said to her, isn't it a lot to do with parenting and what you do at home? She said that not only is my child likely to be behind at school, he may be bullied and not ready to go to school emotionally. I have been really stressed and upset about this ever since, as I feel like I have been selfish not thinking about this before I have even embarked on parenthood! I want to be really happy at this time and just excited to meet my baby, not obsessing about when he is born, but now I just feel anxious as she said I will need to decide to keep him back a year fairly early otherwise he may struggle throughout school. What do people think? Does anyone have experiences to share? sorry, I know this sounds like a trivial problem but I think my hormones aren't helping!

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

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squizita · 25/08/2014 10:49

...oh and sorry but blaming bullying on being summer born? I would haul her over the coals for that.
IMHO she has some issues either with her own pastoral skills or those of her school.
August kids exist and always have done. It is her job to nurture and teach them: not pass off adult shortcomings in care as inevitable fact.

Nocturne123 · 25/08/2014 11:07

What a lovely friend you have my brother was a summer born Oxford graduate so it obviously did him no harm ! What exactly does she want to achieve by telling you this ? Not exactly anything you could do about it even if you wanted to !

I'm angry on your behalf

m33r · 25/08/2014 17:07

Angry that a teacher would say this. There was a study years ago about how when you told teachers kids were very bright or less so, they became self fulfilling prophecies: the lesson; teachers absolutely CANNOT think like this! Awful!

And she will not have an August baby will she not? I ttc for 20months; I'll take my baby whenever it comes. My friend ttc for 26 months and nothing. She's do anything for a baby any month of the year. Let's see what happens when your friend is ttc. Btw, is there a chance she wants a baby now? Sounds like she's a bit jealous??

And finally, I'm August 29th, was the most social child ever; was always the narrator in primary school (reading and speaking therefore great) and I have a good degree from a top uni (not that any of that will matter whatever lovely little baby you get).

Ignore her silly silly comment and CONGRATULATIONS!!

Twizzletoes · 25/08/2014 17:07

I've had this from an ex Headteacher. Most helpful

Bugaboom · 25/08/2014 18:05

I also heard this from a headteacher when I was expecting an August baby. She even said to hope for a girl as the boys "don't cope". Well I had a boy and he's now 2. Like you it bothered me for some time but the more time I spend with toddlers and young children, the more apparent is that they all develop at their own rate, with their own strengths. I'm not worried anymore, like previous posters I know lots of very successful August babies. In fact the two people in my circle who are the most successful career/ academically are August born. Just enjoy your new baby

Original poster

marshaF · 25/08/2014 18:07

I just wanted to say a huge thankyou to all of you for your responses. I have taken so much positivity from your comments, and for the first time since the conversation, I feel that I can forget her comments and stop worrying. I can't thank you all enough for this as for "friend" I do think she has issues, as she always seems to find fault with everything i do! Perhaps I should choose my friends more wisely from now on
Thankyou all for taking the time to respond x

OP posts:

CoolCat2014 · 25/08/2014 18:31

My brother was late August baby and has a 1st degree, and just completed his PHD, and is prob going on to post Doc studies. He hated school and never did his homework.

I was born in February and don't even have a degree. I wouldn't worry about it. There is an argument that the youngest child in the class will be pulled up by the older, as he's being stretched more.

weebairn · 25/08/2014 18:34

This is ridiculous.

I have a september baby and am due another and nothing pisses me off more than people who speculate I did this "on purpose" - was just very happy and grateful to be pregnant both times.

I actually do know a couple of teachers who tried to time it like this - but not for the academic success of their unborn children - just to maximise their mat leave!!

Fairypants · 25/08/2014 18:48

My eldest is 20th aug and has always been the youngest in her class. She's also always been petite (even compared to the year below). Neither of these has held her back. She did really well in gcse's this year and is a very confidant and eloquent young lady. I've never heard this summer born stuff outside of MN but know many people from antenatal who are the eldest in the year below and have really struggled.
I'm currently 37 weeks with dc3 and my only concern in terms of dates is that it would be nice not to have her birthday too close to her sisters but really don't mind if I get to next month or not (other than feeling huge and fed up already!)
Enjoy your little bundle whenever they turn up.

gunwalloe · 25/08/2014 18:59

My August born son is top of the class so don't believe any of it. All children are different the month there born has no impact on if they are academic.

mummybare · 25/08/2014 18:59

Yes, I think distancing yourself from this 'friend', particularly in the vulnerable, hormonal days of new parenting would be very wise indeed, OP

MrsAtticus · 25/08/2014 19:04

I'm an august baby with a PhD if that helps at all I think it's down to the individual child and if there are any issues there are things you can do to help.

Autumn12345 · 17/11/2023 11:45

How has your August born turned out? Is it no longer a worry

chorusline79 · 22/11/2023 20:27

@Autumn12345 my August baby was due on 19th aug and was born on 4 sept!!

But I then went on to have a daughter, born end of July. She's more academic than her brother and is top of her class in year 3 currently despite being one of the youngest.

Funny to look back at this and think how worried I was about it.

glasshalffull0 · 22/11/2023 20:51

I'm a secondary teacher and due at the very end of June. I've researched into this because I was worried like you were. First off, anecdotally, you cannot tell a difference between students born in September-August in GCSEs/A-Levels, I did a check on some of the DOB of some of my students which also showed its random.

Second of all, the research said there might be a slight developmental difference in the early years and maybe early primary but the gap is non-existent in Secondary and certainly has no difference in outcomes in later life.

The biggest difference to a children's outcomes is the upbringing they have, the support of their parents (homework, spellings etc.) and how motivated that individual child is- nothing to do with birthdays!

chorusline79 · 22/11/2023 22:24

Absolutely @glasshalffull0 - that's really interesting what you say; from my experience with 2 primary kids and their peers this rings true. And by year 4 any gaps definitely seem to have closed.... all the best to you for your new baby!

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