Kids Are a Year Apart in Age, Two Years Apart in School

I am in slightly the same situation. My daughters are 2 years apart, but where the birthdates fall, the youngest wont start kindergarten for 3 years after my oldest. Like you, I wish it wasn't that way. I would have liked that they would be closer in age (by that, meaning grades as well). I do think that it will distance them from one another moreso than if they didn't have that extra year in school to seperate them. I also feel bad for my youngest, as she will turn 5 right after the cut off date...which will kind of make her one of the older ones of the class once she starts. I feel like she is going to be ready to start long before they let her.
K.

With my 5, I was in this situation twice. No big deal, I wouldn't even tell them anything about it, they'll never notice. I never had a problem, I think one of them asked if this was the year he went to school and I said, nope, next year, and that was it. We did play 'school' for a few weeks, but that novelty wore off quickly. And I've also had back-to-back graduates twice, trust me, I deserve a medal; senior year is an exercise in wondering where your kid's brain went. And all of the college stuff(did you write that application essay yet? And where is that financial aid form? No, you're not hitchhiking across the country instead....) You'll appreciate the break down the road.

It might be a good thing that they are 2 years a part in school. My 2 sisters are 1 year a part to the day and yes 1 year apart in school too. I can say that the oldest one was glad when it was time to change shools because she got a brake from being the other ones sister for a year. I think they will be fine!~

Not sure if you are a SAHM, if the kids go to preschool or what, but depending on the older one's temperament (dont' want to turn them OFF to school), you can emphasize with the 3yr old that she geta an extra year to do special things with M. - then *do* some with her. Yes, the older girl will miss out on a couple of things, but it is a balancing act between what each gains v loses.

I would think that once you get over the hump of actually starting school, that once they are in their grades, you won't have issues over this. I think you'll be better off having two school years between the kids as well - less competition (my older sister is 2 years ahead of me, my younger brother is the year right after me.)

I'm working with my DD now to get her accustomed to the idea that her friends and classmates at her preschool will be starting school this fall (big yellow bus), while she has another year to go (her birthday is in December). So far she seems to be taking it pretty matter-of-factly, we'll see how it is when they actually leave the classroom at the end of August... = )

Good luck!

First - don't push the younger to keep her one year behind in school. Better to keep the younger behind for social and emotional reasons.
Put the onus on the school and move on. Even if she pitches a fit because she can't go to school when "she wants" - it's not YOUR issue. The SCHOOL sets the dates and there is nothing you can do.
I know of a family with twins who had to keep one back because she wasn't ready. They are now a senior in high school and a freshman in college. No big deal. They are both well adjusted academically successful girls. :-)