[eagle dad 2014]

How about this reason then. Why not keeping your kid back because you would like to keep them at home for one more year. The world is a cruel place and I for one would like to keep my children under my roof for as long as possible. Why send your son or daughter off to college when they are just turning 18. I know that I was not ready for that kind of freedom and it was hard on me adapting to a new town, new people, and way to much freedom to do what I wanted. I personally think a 19 year old turning 20 in their freshmen year of college isn't a bad thing. Yes to hold one back for sports alone is a bad thing, but to hold one back because the parent cares about their child's future is not a bad thing. It's ultimately the parent's decision and I think it should stay that way. I will hold mine back in elementary school for the extra year of maturity, both physical and mental. If he turns out to be an athlete it can do nothing but help, if not he will have that extra year of education and growing up and being a little more mature and wiser. It never seems to fail that the older more mature child seems to be the leader in the classrooms and the hallways of their schools. These leaders are usually the ones that their parents held back for that extra year of growing up. Just my point of view, thought I'd throw my opinion in since everyone else was doing so.

Amen. Well said.