Tiger held back in school

Last night a mom called asking that her son advance with the rest of the
boys. She let me know they were thinking about this before Christmas. At
that time, we discussed it and agreed that he would repeat tigers too. She
has talked to other tiger parents and heard that their sons are sad that he
won't be in their den anymore. She has talked to her relatives (one a soon
to be eagle scout) and they believe that scouts is age based rather than
grade based.

If I go along with her logic, when he reaches Webelos II he is in 4th
grade. To my eyes, he acts less mature (listens less, sits still less)
than the other tigers. Holding him back was the right decision. If there
is such a thing as "emotional IQ" I feel that doing tigers again would be
in his best interest, rather than the more controlled wolf program.

Another father has decided to have his son repeat kindergarten. He asked
if his son could start tigers and wear an orange shirt. This boys older
brother is just graduating from tiger cubs. His son is welcome at pack
night and occasional meetings but NO ORANGE SHIRT.

I feel that the same skills and traits necessary to be successful in a
"given" school grade apply to success in the scouting program (and I dimly
recall some of the young eagle debates). What is good for one is also good
for the other and ulitmalely good for the child. I don't know beans about
this stuff, I welcome all viewpoints.

Beth Guth
cubmaster
District Membership Chair
Wolf mom
SE Pennsylvania

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