2 sides

Home

Chat

Blogs

Collection

Directory

Home : 2003 : September : 5

2 sides
By just me

There is merit to what each person has posted here. I was way ahead of my class academically throughout school, but socially very behind. However, when I got into high school, almost all the girls I became friends with were
in the grade ABOVE mine. I was socially immature, but only when mixing with the girls my own age, with whom I had very little in common (for some reason, all the girls in my grade could think about were boys, clothes, and make-up, whereas I was interested in mnay things besides those things, and consequently I just didn't feel comfortable with them -- the older girls had far more varied

interests). For me, it would have made a lot of sense to be skipped a grade. As it was, I just doubled up on some subjects and got out of high school a year early, because staying would have been so isolating (all my friends would have graduated).

On the other hand, my son was one of the very youngest in his class. He was relatively behind socially and physically all the way along. He didn't really hit adolescence until college (a break for his parents, but not really the best thing for him). He has done okay (he's an adult now), but I think it would have been better for him if we had kept him back a year. He'd have been one of the oldest students in his class, but I think the physical and social maturity that would have added for him would have been a plus.

I would have a long talk with the people in the school on why they feel as they do. If they are basing their opinions on what they have observed about your daughter, not just that they think no one should ever be skipped, listen to what they say. Add this is to what you know about your daughter, talk with her about it, then make the decision as a team. Give her some input on this, too. She's old enough to have an opinion.

Good luck with whatever you do.