School closures/delays?

frozenrider15 feeling any lighter now that you finally added your signature? 🙂

The daycare took everyone, so we didn't steal anyone's spot. It’s not like it's some massive crisis all over the US where there aren't openings.

Andrew Wright2 said:frozenrider15 feeling any lighter now that you finally added your signature? 🙂

The daycare took everyone, so we didn't steal anyone's spot. It’s not like it's some massive crisis all over the US where there aren't openings.

Yeah, I'm feeling better. 😁

It wouldn't even cross my mind to panic about the government snatching my kids away based on some arbitrary whim.

Andrew Wright2 said:frozenrider15 feeling any lighter now that you finally added your signature? 🙂

The daycare took everyone, so we didn't steal anyone's spot. It’s not like it's some massive crisis all over the US where there aren't openings.

Does the city subsidize childcare? Regardless, it doesn't affect my bank account, but let's not play the saint by pretending you wouldn't take what your kid needs if it were offered.

Fine, let it be 😉

Look, I love this country to death, but I absolutely hate dealing with government agencies—the cops, the Social Security Administration, all that junk. Healthcare and schools are actually decent, though. But honestly, after some of the crap professors pulled during my school years, and how my husband was treated by teachers back in the day, I just want to spare my kid from that kind of nonsense.

How am I supposed to explain to a six-year-old what I went through in first grade? Like, why was my teacher picking on me just because of my last name? Or why did my husband’s teachers call him a "dirty outsider" like it meant something? It had zero to do with hygiene.

We all have our fears, whether they make sense or not.

Andrew Wright2 said:Fine, let it be 😉

Look, I love this country to death, but I absolutely hate dealing with government agencies—the cops, the Social Security Administration, all that junk. Healthcare and schools are actually decent, though. But honestly, after some of the crap professors pulled during my school years, and how my husband was treated by teachers back in the day, I just want to spare my kid from that kind of nonsense.

How am I supposed to explain to a six-year-old what I went through in first grade? Like, why was my teacher picking on me just because of my last name? Or why did my husband’s teachers call him a "dirty outsider" like it meant something? It had zero to do with hygiene.

We all have our fears, whether they make sense or not.

I actually dealt with the exact same thing. My kid was born right at the end of March, so they started school before they were even six and a half. Looking back, I don't regret letting them start when they did one bit.

Edit: It seems to me your anxiety isn't really about the school system itself, but rather a general fear of the whole school experience.

Andrew Wright2 said:Fine, let it be 😉

Look, I love this country to death, but I absolutely hate dealing with government agencies—the cops, the Social Security Administration, all that junk. Healthcare and schools are actually decent, though. But honestly, after some of the crap professors pulled during my school years, and how my husband was treated by teachers back in the day, I just want to spare my kid from that kind of nonsense.

How am I supposed to explain to a six-year-old what I went through in first grade? Like, why was my teacher picking on me just because of my last name? Or why did my husband’s teachers call him a "dirty outsider" like it meant something? It had zero to do with hygiene.

We all have our fears, whether they make sense or not.

Like I mentioned earlier in this thread, I think delaying school is actually logical if it gives the child an extra year to build up the skills they need to keep pace with their peers or catch up if they're lagging behind.

So, what specific skills is your child working on right now? And how are you approaching it? Do you honestly think an extra year in preschool will actually make a difference in that regard?

The government covers everything for everyone—free textbooks, school lunches, all that. I’m not trying to act like a saint; that’s just how the system works here.

I'm not taking anyone else because the classes are already full, okay? Is anyone even listening?

And yeah, the state provides aid for kids with disabilities or special needs, but my son doesn't fall into that category.

Maybe try reading more carefully next time.

That extra year should definitely take some weight off his shoulders regarding school. Not just my take, either—it’s just how the whole process works out.

Look, he won't suddenly turn into some child prodigy overnight, but life'll be a hell of a lot easier.

What skills is your kid still lacking?

Talking, sure, but don't call a speech therapist just yet. It’s not an ADHD thing. They're just being a kid.

Andrew Wright2 said:Talking, sure, but don't call a speech therapist just yet. It’s not an ADHD thing. They're just being a kid.

I'm struggling to see how any of this connects to the way a teacher handles a kid's name.

Did you guys just get teased for your names, or did people push you to the point where you actually started stuttering or struggling to learn stuff?

Man, I dealt with both.

Kid doesn't even stutter when he talks.

Andrew Wright2 said:Talking, sure, but don't call a speech therapist just yet. It’s not an ADHD thing. They're just being a kid.

Why wouldn't they need one? Look, if an American school admissions board recommends holding a child back due to speech issues, they almost always suggest speech therapy alongside it. It’s about giving the kid that extra year to catch up and thrive.
If that recommendation was made, then the speech difficulties are significant enough to warrant professional help. Usually, if it's just minor stammers or slight delays, the school just enrolls them in first grade and suggests therapy on the side.

That said, I suspect the board might have been playing nice—assuming you presented the same skeptical attitude to them that you're showing here on this forum. They probably gave you the deferral to settle the matter.

I don't know your kid personally, but if these speech hurdles are minor and the only thing holding them back, the kid would likely benefit more from being in a stimulating classroom environment where they can grow, paired with some regular sessions with a specialist.

Edit: Since you decided to add some "playfulness" to your update... let's be real, every single first grader is playful. 🙂 Unless we're talking about an actual ADHD diagnosis, it's perfectly normal behavior.

So, the local preschool is getting speech therapy, and there’s this non-profit funded by the city where all kids in town can get free access to speech pathologists and occupational therapists. Basically, endless learning support just handed out for free. Lucky us.

Forgot to mention they didn't even bother suggesting anything since they don't think it's an issue. So yeah, it's happening exactly like I said above.

It’s not an ADHD thing or whatever. He can actually lock in and learn stuff super fast when he needs to. He's just a kid—toys are way more interesting than books.

Andrew Wright2 said:Did you guys just get teased for your names, or did people push you to the point where you actually started stuttering or struggling to learn stuff?

Man, I dealt with both.

Kid doesn't even stutter when he talks.

There was plenty of insults, mockery, and being ignored... But I don't project my own past onto my child. That would be doing him a massive disservice.

Since the narrative keeps shifting and new details keep popping up, I'm bowing out of this conversation.

Andrew Wright2 said:So, the local preschool is getting speech therapy, and there’s this non-profit funded by the city where all kids in town can get free access to speech pathologists and occupational therapists. Basically, endless learning support just handed out for free. Lucky us.

Forgot to mention they didn't even bother suggesting anything since they don't think it's an issue. So yeah, it's happening exactly like I said above.

It’s not an ADHD thing or whatever. He can actually lock in and learn stuff super fast when he needs to. He's just a kid—toys are way more interesting than books.

Great news about the speech therapist.
But honestly? It seems like it would be better for the kid to just start school with their peers, even if they have to juggle therapy appointments on the side.

You got exactly what you fought for: a delay.
But how is next year going to look any different when it comes to your attitude toward the school system or the teachers? The child will be older than everyone else, sure, but your outlook isn't going to shift overnight. You'll face the exact same dilemmas. The same bureaucrats or bad actors will still be working in those halls. You’ll carry the same anxieties about bullying—nothing actually changes 🤔.
In the grand scheme of things, how does delaying this by one year actually benefit the child?

Joseph Stewart7 said:There was plenty of insults, mockery, and being ignored... But I don't project my own past onto my child. That would be doing him a massive disservice.

Since the narrative keeps shifting and new details keep popping up, I'm bowing out of this conversation.

I was actually thinking along those exact same lines just now.😁
It feels like you can't even tell what's an actual fact anymore versus some kind of manufactured story being spun.
No matter how I look at it, I just end up feeling bad for the kid.😢

Same old story. We asked for a delay, we got one. NASA is just busy drafting their statement. We aren't exactly pioneers in making excuses.

I'm not projecting my anxieties onto my kid—if I were, she would've already moved to Germany to live with relatives on her dad's side and finish school there.

Our school system is what it is... pretty much lagging behind in most cases. Honestly, even some of the people working in it.

I've seen how things work in the United Kingdom and Germany. Compared to them? We're stuck in the Dark Ages. Bottom line.

I'm out. Honestly, I don't see the point in all this endless stalling you've been pulling.
Not that it matters—it’s not my problem anyway. You people seem incapable of grasping the fact that being "right" isn't the goal here. We should be acting in the best interest of the child, not using them as a punching bag for your own deep-seated fears and personal frustrations. It’s a classic mistake, really. Like trying to fix a broken engine by screaming at the dashboard.

I'm done with this conversation.

Andrew Wright2 said:Need some intel from anyone who’s dealt with school deferrals before.

So, we actually got the extension. My kid is 6.5 right now—he would've started school at 6.10, which is why we pushed for the delay. Even the local elementary school agreed he's just not ready yet. Anyway, I'm wondering if any of you got a call from Child Protective Services asking for a statement? If so, what was that actually about?

I can't help feeling like they're out to get us. But hey, if this is just standard procedure and everyone goes through it, then whatever. It's just that every time I hear "CPS," I have a total panic attack thinking they're gonna come after us or try to take my kids. I know, sounds totally paranoid, but I can't help it. 😢

🍿 🍿 🍿

@Lady, it feels like you might be drifting a little bit from the original topic here.