Welcome to The Real Parenting Show with Dr. Pete & Sara… where we tackle the real issues facing parents today. On this week’s podcast we’re talking about a real problem, and one that’s getting bigger. Red-shirt kindergartners. No, it’s not a 5-6 year old football team, but rather the practice by some parents of keeping their children out of kindergarten until a year, or more, after they are designated to go in hopes of allowing them to eventually have physical dominance in middle-school or high-school sports.

Red-shirt kindergartnering is what they call it in Texas, where football reigns king, but it’s not just happening down south. We invite a listener to our show this week, Amie from Maine, a mom with a current daughter in kindergarten and a son slated to start next year. She’s concerned about this happening in her town, and says there it seems to not be so much about sports, but more to achieve academic dominance in the classroom.

You can bet this is a provocative topic, and we go through the pros and cons of both sending your child to kindergarten, when to consider holding him/her back, and how to deal with the fact that their peers may not be the same age anymore.

Unfortunately, it’s a conundrum… there’s no right or wrong answer, every parent is going to have to figure out the best decision for their child, but we examine the issues and offer some advice in hopes of helping you make that decision with all the facts.

Please note that nothing on The Real Parenting Show should be construed as professional psychological advice specific to you or your child. If you have concerns for anyone in your family, it’s important to make an appointment with a licensed mental health professional in your local area.

Thanks for listening to The Real Parenting Show with Dr. Pete & Sara… and remember, even though you may not always feel like it, you are the most influential person in your child’s life! If you have any questions or topics you’d like to suggest for future shows, please comment on this blog or call 877.980.2828. Click below to listen to all of Dr. Pete’s straightforward advice and practical tips for real parents raising real kids in the real world, and we hope you’ll subscribe to get our podcast each week.

Dr. Pete and Sara are also the co-authors of Stress-Free Potty Training, A Commonsense Guide To Finding The Right Approach For Your Child (AMACOM Books, 2008). Check out our website, www.StressFreePottyTraining.com, for more information.

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