Sunday Tele’s generation Alpha now five and ready for school
We first met them when they were newborn bundles of joy — the Generation Alpha kids born in NSW in 2013 and celebrated in The Sunday Telegraph. They’re now five and ready to tackle big school. SEE HOW THEY’VE GROWN.
WE first met them when they were newborn bundles of joy, all chubby cheeks and gummy grins — the Generation Alpha kids born in NSW in 2013 and celebrated in The Sunday Telegraph. Five years on and here they are again, this time as fully-formed little people letting go of mum’s and dad’s hands to embark on life in big school.
There have been a few hiccups along the way — speech problems, asthma, tonsillitis and food allergies, as well as love and loss, new brothers and sisters to contend with, some marriage break-ups and sea changes. As for the parents in our exclusive longitudinal study, the decision whether to send their kids to kindy or hold back has proved a major issue for all. Juggling parenthood and work is another huge battle for most mothers, with few having returned to full-time work. So join us once again as their mums tell Jane Hansen about these happy, beautiful children.
Jarrah Smith: February 17.
Parents: Rianna, 36, and Ashley Smith of Blacksmiths.
School: “We could have sent Jarrah to school this year, but we wanted to give him the best opportunity, so we thought it best if we let him play for another year and start as a six-year-old. He does pre-school two days and day care two days.”
Challenges: “He gets worried about the unknown, starting things like soccer or school, He needs reassurance and encouragement. He had a little sister come along in 2016 when he was two and he was pretty stoked.”
Work: “I was still at uni when I had Jarrah but now I’m a casual teacher, two to three days a week. Sometimes it is full-time and that’s a challenge. His dad makes his hours flexible so we need to work it out together to get the balance.”
Flynn Hirst-Denny: February 18.
Parents: Alana, 35, and Adam Hirst-Denny from Penshurst.
School: “He is at school now and is one of the youngest. He was having speech pathology the year before and I had concerns whether it was the right decision, but I sent my daughter at four. He is struggling academically a bit but socially and emotionally he seems happy. They seem to think boys struggle more, but he wanted to be at school with his big sister.”
Challenges: “The biggest challenge was my marriage breaking down and then having to make things work financially so I had to go full-time. They still talk about me and Adam getting back together, but I’m pregnant with my new partner.”
Work: “Me and Adam split up so I had one year off then I was back full-time. I’m a midwife and I got a promotion and had to put a massive emphasis on my career. Just making sure I spend enough time with the kids so they don’t suffer, but adjusting to life as a single parent was huge.”
Anna Pratt: February 19.
Parents: Ronelle, 35, and Rod Pratt of Bulli.
School: “She started school this year and is loving it. She loves routine and structure, she is that kind of kid. We did think about holding her back because it is a trend but she was ready to go. We knew there would be kids a year older but the preschool said she was ready. I was cautious about her emotional resilience but she has amazed us”.
Challenges: “We’ve had two more children. Abbey, 3, and Benjamin 1, so the biggest challenge for Anna was with the others joining the family and the hard part has been investing in them emotionally and treating them like individuals.”
Work: “I went back two days a week between the girls, but we’ve made the move to Bulli for more space, a better family lifestyle and a backyard, and I left work in Sydney. We left for affordability, so I was not so stretched and obliged to work. It’s a privilege to be home with the little ones.”
Xavier Lindsey: February 20.
Parents: Tiffany, 31, and Mark Lindsey from Kirrawee.
School: “Xavier started school this year and is one of the youngest. A lot of his friends are six because people are holding their kids back these days. He was ready because he is quite bright and is doing well. He is also on the taller side. The child care costs were a struggle and I work full-time.”
Challenges: “Xavier had a stutter and a lisp and has been doing speech therapy. Just before starting school it got really bad, he’d open his mouth and couldn’t talk. It popped up at four and got bad by four-and-a-half, but he is in the top reading group.”
Work: “I worked part-time in medical admin, then I fell pregnant with Scarlett after Xavier, but I’m officially back at work full-time now. But I still leave at 3.30pm so it’s nice. I have a flexible employer. It has cost me a lot over the years, not working full-time. I’m being groomed for management and that would have happened five years ago if I was more available.
Isidora Milas: February 20.
Parents: Tamara, 37, and Marjan Milas of Lane Cove.
School: “Isadora is at kindy and is doing well. She is one of the youngest and a couple turned six when she turned five. I had a big dilemma about when she would start school and when she started I was kicking myself, but she is OK now. She is quite social.”
Challenges: “Isadora was in daycare briefly but she was getting very sick all the time and it was $110 a day, so it wasn’t worth it. Then I had Ilija, who is now three.”
Work: “After five years of child-bearing I’m back at work, but I have reinvented myself. I was a fashion buyer but now I’m in finance. It’s close to home and I work part time.”
Amelia Trumbull: February 27.
Parents: Jo, 39, and Shaun Trumbull from Frenchs Forest.
School: “Amelia is at preschool and will start kindy next year. We thought developmentally we would wait until she was really ready. We have had friends who went through this debate and those who sent their kids early had regrets.”
Challenge: “Her toughest challenge was bringing in the second child. William was born in 2015. Juggling two instead of one seems more than double as there is no down time.”
Work: “I had been headhunted into a role in corporate superannuation but I had bad morning sickness so had to give up that job. I always wanted to be a full-time mum and I saw a lot of colleagues struggle. We started our own business, so a complete career change. We have a kids’ party and play centre — Stomping Ground Brookvale — we opened a year ago. I do a little with the business but my husband is there during the week.
Casey McGovern: February 28.
Parents: Liz, 36, and Darryl McGovern of Wallsend.
School: “Casey started school this year because he was bored at preschool. He has two big sisters, 12 and 10, and he is always around adults. He has always been an old soul and his preschool teachers said he was ready.”
Challenge: “We lost a grandmother and uncle 12 days apart two years ago and the hardest thing was helping him through that. He is a sensitive boy and he adored both. Trying to get him to understand was a big challenge.”
Work: I changed careers while pregnant, from a teacher to opening my own beauty salon, so I could come and go as I please.”
Peggy Manson: February 28.
Parents: Emily, 33, and Kyle Manson from Kellyville.
School: “Peggy will start school next year. It wasn’t a big decision, it was easy, we wanted her to have an extra year of play and just being a kid. I’m glad I held her back.”
Challenge: “My illness — chronic fatigue syndrome — has been the biggest challenge for all of us, personally, financially and for running the household. My second daughter has been diagnosed with autism. She is a delight but it is difficult.”
Work: “I started back part-time then I fell pregnant again and had bad morning sickness. Then I had a caesarean and ended up getting chronic fatigue syndrome. Working is not possible. I tried to go back two days a week but I had to give it up.”
Cody Steadman: February 28.
Parents: Liselle, 33, and Tim Steadman of Panania.
School: “We decide to keep Cody back a year. Socially and emotionally I thought it best to hold him back.”
Challenge: “For the first two years he had reflux and milk and soy intolerances, and he was little and the failure to thrive also made me feel like a failure. He is fine now but he had a bad relationship with food.”
Work: “I worked in travel but I did beauty therapy course while pregnant with Cody and I now work from home. I have a second little one, Emerson, aged one. It’s tough going from the full time wage to a part time but it’s more valuable to be at home with the children and working around the,
Blake Read: March 4.
Parents: Kylie, 35, and Brendan Read from The Ponds.
School: “Blake starts school next year and holding him back was one of the largest decisions in my life — it is very stressful to decide when to send them to school. We decided on another year at home — it’s better to thrive than just survive. Once you start school you have to grow up very fast.”
Challenges: “Keeping on top of everything, running a house, driving two kids around, working part-time shift work. I only do shift work and childcare is not good for shift work hours. Without my mother and mother-in-law we’d be nowhere.”
Work: “I’m a public servant and you don’t get the opportunities, you miss training and opportunities because you aren’t there. It would have bothered me once but my priorities have changed. I’m a mum first and everything else is second.”
Lola McKay: March 4.
Parents: Amelia, 34, and Glenn McKay from Gymea Bay.
School: “Lola is at school now. We did think about it but she was ready and thriving. She is one of the youngest but she is very tall. The preschool recommended it and my mum is a teacher and she said she was more than ready.
Challenges: “She has a little brother Harvey who is nearly three. Her biggest challenge is having parents who are away a lot. We are both pilots so we have to use au pairs and Lola gets very attached. The longest one we had was a girl from Belgium, we had her for 12 months and Lola says she misses her, but we keep in touch and she is now like an aunty.”
Work: “I’m part-time but as a pilot I had to do training, so I am full-time for the next few months then I will go back to part-time. We need an au pair to manage our rosters because we are both pilots, so we’re on our eighth one. The live-in au pair keeps the costs down but I’m leaving for work at 4am. I don’t really want to go full-time as potentially I’d be away three nights a week and I don’t want to be a parent who is away that much.”
Benjamin Zeller: March 8.
Parents: Fiona, 41, and Tom Zeller of Asquith.
School: “Benjamin is at school. He was a March baby and we are both teachers so we knew he was ready. He was our number three boy so he was ready, whereas the other two would have struggled. He was very interested in books and reading, and he is completely loving it.”
Challenges: “He has a strong personality and when you have three boys you have to work with what we’re all doing and he is learning that.”
Work: “I still work two days a week as an early childhood teacher. Next year I might do more days.”
Tilly Dawson: March 11.
Parents: Jade Bruce, 39, and Ian Dawson of Belmont.
School: “Tilly started school this year, it was hard. She was at school at four. She was shy and reserved and crying at preschool but she was writing at three and was keen to learn. I thought she’d get bored with another year in preschool.”
Challenges: “Tilly’s shyness is a challenge. I’ve got two other outgoing kids, but she is very cautious. She is reserved and quiet.”
Work: “I’ve had another child, Daisy, so I do photography and work from home. I’ve pulled back a bit since having the third.”
Tori Coates: March 11.
Parents: Marnie, 34, and Glenn Coates, from Medowie.
School: “She was a March baby so we are holding her back. I come from a family of teachers so it was an easy decision. She was bright enough but she was still a bit emotional so we’ve let her sort that out this year.”
Challenges: “I have a three-year-old now, Marcus, and she adores him. She has an enormous sense of justice and really struggles when she thinks something is unfair. A classic is when someone’s ice cream bowl is more full than hers — that can end in tears. She also had hip dysplasia so she had 11 months in a harness, but that did not hold her back. Her father and I separated this year, so I’m a single parent.”
Work: “I’m an engineer and I’ve worked full-time with all my three kids. I had 11 months off with Tori and we travelled the world.”
Atticus Fetterplace: March 13.
Parents: Rachael, 37, and Rowan Fetterplace from Millers Forest.
School: “Atticus is starting school next year. He goes to speech therapy and that was my main reason for holding him back.”
Challenges: “It was quite obvious he had a speech delay and he had trouble with pronunciation. There has been lots of improvement with speech therapy but it is a long road. It is something he needs to work at.”
Work: “I have retrained as a teacher’s aide so when he goes back to school I will too. I retrained in something hour friendly to the kids. I did secretarial, but it would finish at 5.30pm. Now I finish the same time.”
Dylan Gibbs: March 13.
Parents: Kelly Pearce, 40, and Tony Gibbs.
School: “He started school this year and has gone really well. They think he is one of the oldest because he is so mature — and cute.”
Challenges: “When he went to school he was the only one from his daycare so he had to make new friends.”
Work: “I went back to full-time work three years ago in a daycare centre so Dylan came with me. I had post-natal depression and a cleaning business, but I gave that away. When I started working in childcare, which is what I wanted to do, my depression settled down. I still suffer anxiety and have to have my day planned. I like being around kids so I am now studying my diploma in childcare.”
Charlie Halpin: March 13.
Parents: Karen Adams, 37, and Michael Halpin of South Golden Beach.
School: “He didn’t go to school this year and it was a big consideration. His concentration was not good enough for him to stay focused.”
Challenges: “His behaviour. He is feisty and tests me and I have to remember I’m the adult.”
Work: “I work part-time doing night shift at Woolworths. It’s to fit in with the kids and have more time with them. I was a sales rep but you just have to roll with it because I wanted to be the one who sees them. It’s is a sacrifice and it’s only for a few years, but I miss the career and the super.”
Dorian Grant: March 13.
Parents: Valerie Stuart, 37, and Wesley Grant of Milperra.
School: “He started school this year. I was not going to send him but I went with my gut and it’s been really good for him.”
Challenges: “The preschool thought he had sensory programming disorder. He needed to be assessed by a paediatrician but I thought it wasn’t right. He was very affectionate and wanted to play instead of concentrate. I felt he had been labelled. The paediatrician said there was nothing wrong with him, maybe he was a bit immature. But it was frustrating the school labelled him. He is ticking all the boxes at school now. We had a second child and that turned his world upside down when Jude was born.”
Work: “I went back full-time as an executive assistant seven months after Dorian, but when I had Jude I cut back to three days a week.”
Ethan Fussell: March 14.
Parents: May Shanley, 31, and Tom Fussell from Cardiff South.
School: “He started school this year and is going all right. He is thriving academically but not so much socially. It was a big debate in our family, I didn’t want to send him but his father did. We broke up two years ago, but socially I thought it was important they have that extra year to be a kid.”
Challenges: “The biggest challenge for Ethan was me breaking up with my husband. I have a girl, Lily, who is three. We live with my mum. He is very sensitive and heartbroken when he is told ‘no’, but he is so compassionate and sweet and will give his last lolly to his little sister.”
Work: “I was a stay-at-home mum until my separation, but I’m at university and half way through my bachelor of midwifery degree.”
Eli Gerhardt: March 17.
Parents: Andrea, 31, and Nathanial Gerhardt of Maroubra.
School: “Eli is fantastic and started kindy this year, he is in the top of his class for reading. He was advanced in his language skills and his preschool teachers said he would have no issues.”
Challenges: “He has a little sister now, Sydnee. They bicker a bit but they are best friends.
His biggest struggle is finding his place in a social setting. He is introverted and an observer. He was born with a kidney problem and had some small operations, and it corrected itself. My husband and I separated a Year ago and he is finding his feet in that.”
Work: “I took two years maternity leave after Eli and then another two after Sydnee. I went back last year part-time as a flight attendant. I juggle shift work of 12 days in a month. I have career goals that won’t happen for a little while. There has been a huge financial cost, from a big income to a single mum with two children.”
Audrey Summerhays: March 28.
Parents: Gabrielle, 32, and Daniel Summerhays of Chatswood.
School: “Audrey will start school next year. We felt she was ready intellectually but socially and emotionally she wasn’t. She was still getting upset at preschool drop-off so she needed that extra confidence.”
Challenges: “She has a little brother, two-year-old Theodore. She was really excited to begin with but now she gets a little jealous and wants to exert her authority over him. We also recently lost my father. She had to become mature and grown up all of a sudden when faced with the reality of sickness and loss.”
Work: “I used to work for the State Government but now I work for the local council in the disability sector part-time purely because we can’t afford daycare for two kids — it’s more than $1000 a fortnight. The loss of income is noticeable, there are no more holidays as a result, but the career has taken a back seat.”
Mason Medeiros: March 29.
Parents: Emma, 35, and Paul Medeiros of The Pocket.
School: “He is still in preschool because it’s a big decision, with boys especially. If you can hold them back it is a good thing.”
Challenges: “He has a little sister now, Milly is 18 months. He was fine with the new baby but he struggled more with the separation when he went to daycare. He is fine now.”
Work: “We own our own business — it’s really busy but I am concentrating on the kids, that is more important. So I do a bit of marketing. I haven’t gone back full-time since I had the kids and I work three days a week.”
Saxon Walker: April 2.
Parents: Simone, 34, and Shane Walker of The Ponds
School: “Saxon did not start this year. We did a lot of research and spoke to daycare. I used to take him to a psychologist because he had sleep issues and she said to hold him back because emotionally he wasn’t ready, which is typical for boys.”
Challenges: “I’ve had another little boy, Spencer is three. There was a bit of ‘I’m not getting the attention’, but now they are best friends. From birth to three years he had massive sleep issues and from there on it was behaviour and listening and he was tired. When he turned five something clicked and he learnt how to listen.”
Work: “Between the kids I went back casually in construction admin, then I went to another company permanent part-time. It’s too hard to do full-time so I do three days a week.”
Lenyx Bradford: April 3.
Parents: Melanie Codrington, 29, and Lachlan Bradford of Morisset.
School: “We held him back because socially he needed a little more time and needed to come out of his shell. He would have been thrown in the deep end.”
Challenges: “Sleep has been his biggest issue up until four years of age. He’d wake up randomly and suddenly it stopped. I got used to not sleeping. He is our only child and we are happy with one.”
Work: “He is in daycare two days a week and I am a cleaner and studying assistant in nursing. The plan is to wait until he is in school and then go into nursing.”
Henry Gilbert: April 5.
Parents: Karen Daniels, 45, and Honoa Gilbert of Laurieton.
School: “Henry starts next year. They don’t call it holding them back, they call it not starting early. All my four kids have started at age six.”
Challenges: “Henry was a surprise. My oldest is doing the HSC, so the biggest thing for me was getting used to having a young kid again and going back to square one. It’s turned my daughter off having kids, which is good.”
Work: “I went back to work quite quickly. I work at a cafe a few days a week from 7am to 3pm.”
Sarah Stephens: April 6.
Parents: Cheryl, 37, and Richard Stephens of Belmont.
School: “Sarah is in kindy and loving it. We were quite confident she was ready and took the advice of the preschool that she would be too bored if she stayed back.”
Challenges: “She just had her first asthma attack and it’s one of those things. She is a good kid, happy and easy going.”
Work: “I went back part-time when she was nine months old, then I was made redundant. To get a new job I had to go full-time for seven months then I dropped back to three days a week to get a bit more balance and I can still be involved with the school.”
Henry Neal: April 7.
Parents: Elizabeth, 36, and Braedy Neal of Artarmon.
School: “We decided to hold Henry back, we felt like he was going to get an extra year off. Some teachers say it’s good to hold them back, especially for boys, with the benefit of him having more emotional maturity.”
Challenges: “He has a little brother Alex who is three. There are 21 months apart and he had a shock. He couldn’t understand why I had another baby in my arms, it took him two years to adjust. Now they go around everywhere together and snuggle each other in their beds. They wake up together and come into our bedroom together.”
Work: “I’m a psychologist. I’m doing couples therapy. I do three days a week and four nights a week, so it’s full-time but fits in around the kids.”
Declan Elphic: April 8.
Parents: Amber Lee Bischoff, 29, m and Andrew Elphic of Roseville.
School: “He is at school this year, so he started at four. I probably should have held him back. He is doing speech pathology but he is doing really well now.”
Challenges: “He has a brother Oliver who is turning three next month. But his biggest challenge was adjusting to school because I never put him in childcare and he is going to school five days a week. He was unsure at first, but loves it now. We also moved from Sydney to Brisbane to be closer to my husband’s family.”
Work: “I’m still a stay-at-home mum but formerly a childcare worker. We are looking at having another baby and doing IVF this time. Our first son passed away at 10 days old and I’m still coming to terms with it.”
Arlya Mathison-Wood: April 13.
Parents: Lisa Mathison-Wood, 45, and Brett Wood of Tumbi Umbi.
School: “Arlya will go to kindy next year. She is doing early kindy at Steiner School. We didn’t think we’d hold her back but her school said they prefer everyone to turn six in their first year.”
Challenges: “Her biggest challenge has been her enlarged adenoids, snoring and sleep apnoea. She may need surgery but we are doing a nose-breathing course.”
Work: “We did a sea change from a two-bed apartment in Clovelly to a four-bedroom home in Tumbi Umbi for a quieter lifestyle. I had a personal training business which I folded up and now I teach teachers around Australia, but I’m not full-time.”
Jordan Miller: April 13.
Parents: Rebecca Schuberg, 24, and Chris Miller of Castle Hill. Jordan is now in the care of his paternal grandparents John and Lynette Miller.
School: “He starts school next year. We held him back because we felt he was immature and he would have been four and three quarters when girls were five and a half,” his grandfather John said.
Challenges: “His biggest challenge has been settling in with Nan and Pop and living with his big sister. Rebecca has an intellectual impairment and Chris wasn’t able to provide for the children.”
Work: “It is not what we planned for our retirement and at this age it’s not easy, but we wouldn’t have it any other way. Grandparents that look after grandchildren live longer,” grandmother Lynette said.
Isabella Castell: April 14.
Parents: Luzianne de Souza Castell, 35, and Steve Castell of Coogee
School: “Isabella is not at school and will start next year. We thought it better to hold her back because emotionally we think it is better.”
Challenges: “I’ve had another baby. She loved her little brother for the first week but then she got jealous for six months before she got over it. Now they are best friends.”
Work: “I’m a geologist and I’m back at work three days a week, but not fly-in, fly-out like before. It’s a massive choice to go full-time.”
Brock Copp: April 16.
Parents: Rebecca, 33, and Michael Copp of King Creek.
School: “We held Brock back. We did it with our eldest boy and thought it was beneficial. We think Brock wasn’t quite ready so instead of being the youngest he will be one of the oldest.”
Challenges: “We found out at 14 months he had a hole in his diaphragm and was not getting enough oxygen which made his bones soft. He snapped his femur when I pulled him toward me and that’s when they found it. They operated for four hours to fix the hole and he hasn’t looked back. A baby born with it rarely survives but he got to 14 months. We are very lucky.”
Work: “I’ve got five kids and I’m just about to return to work full-time.”
Allyra Tabone: April 16.
Parents: Amy Elslick, 24, and Adam Tabone from Mt Druitt.
School: “Allyra is in kindy. She was quite advanced and they told me if I held her back she’d get bored. She is loving school.”
Challenges: “She had a hernia but we haven’t had any problems with it so far. I’m a single mum now as I split with her father a week before her first birthday. We co-parent and we are on good terms.”
Work: “I work at the gym and went back to work full-time when she was two. I’m studying to be a personal trainer.”
Aaradhya Patel: April 16.
Parents: Pusha, 41, and Bipin Patel of Harris Park.
School: “She is in kindy now and she was ready. She loves going to big school,” Mr Patel said.
Challenges: “We have a boy now as well. There have been no major issues.”
Work: “Pusha went back full-time (as a store person) last year. We had her parents here and they stayed with us until Aaradhya went to school and now they are back in India. My wife is working full-time and I work afternoons, but having the grandparents here was a very big help.”
Matilda Bedggood: April 21.
Parents: Lucy, 37, and Nicholas Bedggood of Gordon.
School: “She is in kindy, but we did have to reconsider. But she was completely fine and she is thriving and is above average in reading.”
Challenges: “She finds it challenging when I say ‘no’. She is headstrong. We moved from Sydney to Newcastle to be near family. We left for lifestyle and less traffic.”
Work: “I’m a midwife and do two days a week. I now have Harriett who is two. I don’t know how people go back full-time with the cost of daycare and no time with the kids.”
Michaela Kho: April 23.
Parents: Rachelle, 36, and Mark Kho of Epping
School: “She is at school and adjusting well. Her preschool teacher said she was ready, but she is one of the youngest in her class,” Mr Kho said.
Challenges: “She has had no health issues. She is the youngest of three kids and she is more of the creative type. She is more into dance and art.”
Work: “Rachelle is taking care of the kids and is a full-time mum”
Zoe Taylor: April 23.
Parents: Victoria Nealie, 43, and Greg Taylor formerly of Roseville.
School: “We are now in New Zealand and all kids start school when they turn five. She has a big sister at school so was really excited and ready. We’ve been lucky to have had two amazing teachers. As she is doing well she will no doubt be pushed through to year 2 next year.”
Challenges: “We are both kiwis and my partner got a transfer with work, plus my mother has Alzheimer’s so we wanted to be closer to our families. We moved in with my parents for 14 months so I could care for my mother. That came with challenges for Zoe and her sister as they learned to deal with Mum’s increasing confusion and forgetfulness. She also had to deal with moving preschools, starting school and then after one term moving schools as we returned to our own home. That has helped to build resilience but she is a happy, fun-loving, social girl so has mostly taken these challenges in her little stride.”
Work: “I haven’t returned to work. I was a Dietitian but am no longer registered. However, I am enrolled to do postgraduate study as a primary school teacher.”
Emily Beattie: April 23.
Parents: Anitta, 32, and Adam Beattie of Merrylands.
School: “She is in kindy and doing really well. Daycare workers said she was ready and she’d be fine but I was worried she was starting at four and not five until April. But she loved it from day one.”
Challenges: “We lost a baby in 2016, so she lost a brother. I was six months pregnant when we lost him. She still says, ‘I miss Nicholas’ I fell pregnant again and at nine weeks the baby had not grown. I had to explain that to her and she said, ‘Mummy you have to try again’. Now my mother is unwell and Emily is asking if she will be in heaven with Nicholas. She has coped really well though.”
Mia Cabrera-Siller: April 23.
Parents: Sussan, 35, and Sebastian Cabrera of Greenfield Park.
School: “Mia started kindy this year. She was ready and the cost of childcare is too expensive with the third child. I’ve started all three early. She had a light switch moment in the first term and is now doing well.”
Challenges: “Starting school was the biggest challenge. She was nervous and shy. She probably did struggle a bit but she had her older sisters visiting her every day.”
Work: “I’m a midwife and pretty much full-time now. She had been going to family daycare since she was 18 months when I went back four days a week.”
Adam Malekzada: April 23.
Parents: Nadia Mansoury, 41, and Mohammed Daud Malekzada of Kellyville.
School: “He is in kindy and he is very happy. He is very smart and speaks two languages so he was ready.”
Challenges: ‘No issues or challenges. He is a very happy boy.”
Work: “I work full-time from home doing family daycare, so he has grown up in family daycare.”
Willow Stojanovic: April 27.
Parents: Ellie, 29, and Dane Stojanovic of Port Macquarie.
School: “Willow could have started this year but it was a bit early, but she is definitely ready now. I was happy to hold her back as most of her friends were held back.”
Challenges: “We have had a little sister for Willow, Harlo, and she slotted into big sister role very well. She is bubbly and outgoing and loves socialising so no issues there.”
Work: “I’ve worked part-time all the way through as we have a family business, a freight company. I am studying nursing next year. It was my choice to be part-time because I wanted to be more present in their life when they were young.”
Oscar Menant: April 27.
Parents: Evelyn Woolcott, 39, and Corentin Menant of Ramsgate Beach.
School: “We held him back and I had a massive struggle. My husband is French and they start at three and I thought emotionally and attention-wise it was better he start later and I have no regrets.”
Challenges: “The big change in Oscar’s life is we moved from Sydney to the Gold Coast for heaps of reasons — housing more affordable, husband found work here, closer to my family in Byron Bay and it is more family friendly — and he loves it. We all do.”
Work: “I’ve been studying psychology for five years and been a stay-home mum. I’m about to go to work next year.”
Emily Snow: April 28.
Parents: Sally, 33, and Nathan Snow of Randwick.
School: “She is off to school next year and I can’t believe it has been five years already. It was a big decision and it was borderline. Socially I thought it better to hold her back because she was not mature enough.”
Challenges: “Both her twin big sisters were diagnosed with autism at three. They are now seven and she has had to grow up with their different style. One twin is still not verbal, but both lack the usual interaction.”
Work: “I work at Tabcorp and went back to work after 10 months part-time. I have been full-time for the last few months.”
Oliver Demirbag: April 28.
Parents: Mandy Safi, 36, and Fidar Demirbag of Lane Cove.
School: “Oliver starts school next year. We made the decision that he would benefit with another year at preschool.”
Challenges: “He’s a lucky kid and a good boy and there have been no big challenges.”
Work: “I’m a lawyer and I made the choice to work two days a week. Being with the kids is important to me, I wanted to be that person who drops them at school and I can’t do that if I am in court. It is a huge financial sacrifice and I am a minority in the environment I am in, they are all full-time.
Capri Nazombe: April 29.
Parents: Kristyn, 35, and Anthony Nazombe of Randwick.
School: “She is at school this year but we ummed and ahh’d. Her daycare said she was definitely ready. A lot of her friends, the boys especially, were held back. Hopefully we made the right decision.”
Challenges: “She had to have her tonsils removed at 18 months but she has been great since. She is hilarious and too smart for her own good. We had a little boy a few weeks ago and she is enjoying being a big sister.”
Work: “I went back part-time when she was nine months but I’ve had a career change to real estate and went back full-time in 2015.”
Finn and Lucy Doolan: April 29.
Parents: Sally, 43, and Sean Doolan of Epping
School: “We did hold the twins back for the main reason Finn has some speech challenges. He had intensive speech therapy so we held him back and Lucy as we wanted to keep them together.”
Challenges: “We moved from Sydney to Brisbane for family and lifestyle. The weather is better and the housing is cheaper and it takes my husband five minutes to get to work. Finn’s biggest challenge is his speech and Lucy’s challenge is confidence. Simple things like swimming, we can see she can do it but uncertainty comes over her.”
Work: “I recently started working from home with an online mobile laundry service. I’ve got four kids and have been a stay-home mum since the second one.”
Olivia O’Connor: April 29.
Parents: Melina, 33, and Kieran O’Connor of Quakers Hill.
School: “She is in kindy and we did have the discussion. We felt we did the right thing as she is thriving, but she is one of the youngest.”
Challenges: “Her lack of confidence. She is sensitive and it is a struggle keeping up her self-confidence.”
Work: “I had baby number three and Isla is now seven months. I was part-time but now I am self-employed at home. I buy and sell uniforms for construction companies and do part-time accounts for a local business two days a week.
Joshua Jamieson: April 29.
Parents: Bassema, 41, and Andrew Jamieson of Pemulwuy.
School: “He is off to school next year and he is excited. I held him back because I wanted to, he is my last one. My middle child Thomas is a March baby and I regretted sending him as he was four for most of term one and they make no allowance for the young kids and expect them to behave as the six-year-olds do. Joshua is clever but giving him that extra year will give him much more confidence.”
Challenges: “For a while he cried when I left him at preschool but he is doing well now.”
Work: “I am a teacher and I’m working three days a week. Next year I’ll go back full-time.”
Skylah and Kalista Boyd: April 29.
Parents: Chantelle Coonan, 37, and Jason Boyd of Casino.
School: “They start school next year. They weren’t five until the end of April. We had friends who had twins in March who sent them but they lasted five weeks, they just weren’t ready. So I feel I made the right decision.”
Challenges: “No serious challenges. Skylah is the bossy one and they fight a bit.”
Work: “I’m just a stay-at-home mum. I’m happy to get back to work next year and I thought I’d do teacher’s aide as its in school hours. If I go back to work now it would only be to pay for them to be in daycare.”
Abbey Nobile: April 30.
Parents: Nicole, 31, and Santo Nobile of Guildford.
School: “She is still at preschool. I did think of sending her to school but from my childcare background I felt it would be better for her to be a little older. It’s more and more a trend to start that bit older.”
Challenges: “She had her adenoids out when she was three as they were restricting her airway and she was not getting a sound sleep. She has two sisters now, Holly is three and Arya 19 months.”
Work: “This year I have decided to do some casual work. I was part-time up until Holly, then this year I’ve gone casual.”
Cullen and Abigail McLennan: April 30.
Parents: Jennifer, 45, and Craig McLennan of Mascot.
School: “We read a lot about school starting ages and decided to wait until Cullen and Abigail were almost six to ensure they were both completely ready for such a big change in their lives. They have not gone to preschool but we are out and about a lot at museums, the library, park and the zoo, and we do all this via public transport which adds to our adventures.”
Challenges: “Because they are the same age, they feel that they should be able to do everything that the other can and that is not always the case. They are incredibly different individuals but also the very best of friends which can mean some very big screaming matches when they disagree. Listening skills are a work in progress.”
Work: “I started a casual weekend job when they were two which meant we had no family time as Craig works long hours during the week. I recently changed jobs and now work part-time afternoon and evening shifts after Craig gets home and we now have our weekends for family again. A bit less money because I don’t have as many hours but I think there is a little bit less stress involved.”
Mia Doyle: May 2.
Parents: Rhiannan Edwards, 21, and Codie Doyle of Lismore.
School: “Mia starts school next year. She was ready but comparing her at five to six years olds, she just wasn’t at their level maturity-wise.”
Challenges: “I broke up with Mia’s father and moved to Queensland two years ago. I worked there for six months then moved back so that was a challenge for her. She is the sweetest, most well-behaved child I’ve ever met.”
Work: “She has been in daycare three days a week since she was eight months. I have two jobs. I’m a uni student but also a waitress and house cleaner. My goal is to have a business career.”
Vida Bernadini: May 4.
Parents: Emilie, 36, and Massimo Bernadini of Helensburgh.
School: “Vida is going to school next year. She is a May baby so I didn’t consider sending her, they are only little for so long.”
Challenges: “She has a little brother now who is three. She’s been a pretty easy kid but the middle child has to be easy.”
Work: “I’m back at work three days a week. I’m a midwife but we also have a gelato business so I’m kind of full-time.”
Nina Aitken: May 5.
Parents: Mandy Ling Khoo, 31, and Tim Aitken, of Byron Bay.
School: “Nina goes to big school next year. She has been to orientation. It was a tough decision and an expensive decision because childcare costs so much. But she would be the youngest so if it was just for financial reasons it was not fair on her.”
Challenges: “I recently found out she has large tonsils that obstruct her breathing and she might have to have a tonsillectomy. Her big sister had the same thing at age three.”
Work: “I work for a telephone company and I went on to study a diploma of family and child welfare. Now I do case management for homeless people and work four days a week.”
Ashvika Sharma: May 6.
Parents: Ashima, 31, and Vikas Sharma of Parramatta.
School: “She started kindy as she was absolutely ready and excited. She is the second youngest in the classroom but she was ready.”
Challenges: “When she was a month old the doctor mentioned she had a hole in her heart but it resolved on its own. I’ve had another baby, a boy, who is now three.”
Work: “I couldn’t do full-time, I started and left again. I was working for Optus last year but now I’m a stay-home mum. I’ll go part time next year.”
Peace Chukwudi: May 6.
Parents: Dupe Osinen, 34, and Uche Uzoegbu of Moorebank.
School: “She is in kindy this year. She wasn’t too ready but she is very tall, too tall for preschool.”
Challenges: “She had a big delay with her speech and was referred to a speech pathologist and she has caught up now.”
Work: “I run my own business selling African groceries and beauty supplies. I am full-time. You have no choice when you own a business, but I can still pick up the kids from school — I have three — because I’m the boss.”
Ashley Lin: May 6.
Parents: Cen Chen, 37, and JhiNiao Lin of Granville.
School: “Ashley is in kindy as she was ready. In preschool she said she wanted to go to big school.”
Challenges: “We wanted her to speak Chinese but now she is better at English, so the challenge is to get her to learn Chinese. She can’t talk it very well.”
Work: “We own our own training company in accounting skills and I went back part-time. But this year its full-time.”
Archie Smith: May 7.
Parents: Vraja Henderson, 36, and Andrew Smith of Clovelly.
School: “Archie is beautiful and about to start school next year. We held him back, we thought we’d wait for him to be ready to go at five and a half not four and a half.”
Challenges: “No issues. He is a delightful little man and he has a sister now, Leila, who is two. He is so loving and kind to her, it is amazing.
Work: “I work for Wollarah council three days a week. I have not been back full-time but when Leila goes to school in a couple of years I might.”
William Denning: May 7.
Parents: Jodi, 43, and Milton Dening of Port Macquarie.
School: “William will start kindy next year. He was ready to go but I wanted another year with him. He was a May baby and it’s been nice to have another year with him, but he is really ready now.”
Challenges: “William has asthma, eczema and a nut allergy. He is anaphylactic so we have an epi pen and we just don’t have nuts in the house.”
Work: “I’m still a mum at home enjoying time with the kids. I’ve got Indi who is now three and three older kids. My husband is a paramedic and I haven’t worked since 2001. I’ll go back to office work when Indi is at school.”
Peter Terzic: May 8.
Parents: Peta de Michele, 30, and Serge Terzic of Rose Bay.
School: “He started this year. He was ready for school. He is a very tall child and he looks like the oldest, but he’s the youngest. He loves school.”
Challenges: “I had another baby, Novak, 18 months ago and there was a bit of jealousy for the first few months. He was the apple of everyone’s eye for the whole family, all the aunts and uncles, so to share that, and me, was an adjustment. But now he is a wonderful big brother.”
Work: “I was back part-time after six months. I’m a lawyer, but I’ve not been back full-time since Peter, just three days a week. This is the last time and I just want to enjoy it as it flies by.”
Bryn Morgan: May 10.
Parents: Lauren Myers, 37, and Wes Morgan of Erskineville.
School: “Bryn is off to school next year as he wasn’t ready. May was a bit late to turn five so he’ll be ready next year.”
Challenges: “He is asthmatic, so we manage a chronic illness. Last winter he was in hospital a couple of times. It came on at age two and he is sick a lot in winter. I’m asthmatic as well.”
Work: “I work four days a week and will got full-time next year. I’m studying a masters of information management. I worked two days, then three then four this year. Having a reduced income for five years is hard. I just have the one child.”
Lucy Mathews: May 10.
Parents: Sarah, 39, and Alex Mathews of Albury Wodonga.
School: “She is going to school next year. We decided, with advice, to hold her back but she is definitely ready now.”
Challenges: “There has been no major issues, but when she went to preschool two years ago she had issues leaving home, but now she is independent.”
Work: “I work in recruitment and went back full-time last year. I was part time for four years.”
Ash Wild: May 12.
Parents: Sonali Pandey, 41, and Thomas Wild of Randwick.
School: “He is starting next year and he really wants to go to school now, he is so eager. I did think about sending him this year but he didn’t have the coping mechanisms, he’d cry. He’s a lot more resilient now.”
Challenges: “My husband and I split up so he is dealing with that. We’ve been separated for two years and I’m about to move in with my parents, but my father has dementia.”
Work: “I’ve been back full-time since he was six months old. I’m a mental health registrar, an advanced trainee in psychiatry at St Vincent’s. I didn’t have a choice being a single parent, you have to go back full-time. I have two, a seven-year-old boy and Ash. I’m impressed with people who can spend more time with their kids, I wish I could have done that.”
Clark Cura: May 13.
Parents: Marris Aguilar, 39, and Joseph Cura of Rhodes.
School: “He goes to school next year. It was an easy decision. He was kind of ready, not 100 per cent, the daycare director said he could go. He had a friend at daycare who started this year and he had some learning difficulties. Now he is just so ready and he can read and write.”
Challenges: “He used to throw tantrums a lot and he was doing it everywhere. I have also separated from his dad.”
Work: “I went back full-time when I separated from his father and I still work full-time as a support manager.”
Kanish Patez: May 15.
Parents: Chetana, 33, and Sandat Patez of Westmead.
School: “He is growing fast and he is in kindy this year. He was ready and had already spent a year in school in India.”
Challenges: “He was without mum for a year because he went to India for one year at age three with his grandparents. I was really sad but happy that he was learning another culture.”
Work: “I’m full-time. I work as a team leader in logistics.”
Sienna Greentree: May 20.
Parents: Nicole, 42, and Mark Greentree of Ryde.
School: “Sienna is at school and one of the young ones, but I felt as a second child and a girl she was ready. We haven’t regretted it, she loves it. She was in daycare and it’s been a huge relief when she went to school it was costing $600 a week.”
Challenges: “I separated from her father at age two. She goes through phases when she misses us all together, but we get on OK and we take family holidays together.”
Work: “I’m in marketing and I work full-time and have done since she was six months old.”
Edith Livingstone: May 21.
Parents: Naomi, 36, and Drew Livingston of Guildford.
School: “Edith starts school next year. Five-turning-six is a good age for starting big school. She is ready now. She is writing and reading and doing sums.”
Challenges: “She had a lot of throat infections and tonsillitis and we took her off dairy and she hasn’t had it since. We had a second child, a little girl called Dorothy, when Edith was three. They are good at playing together but she likes her own space.”
Work: “I’ve been back at work since Dorothy was seven weeks old. I teach part-time and I’m an actor-writer so I’m full time when you add it all together. I have good in-laws and we all live together. The family support has been amazing.”
Tiffany Hall: May 21.
Parents: Stacey Crane, 27, and Liam Halls of The Entrance.
School: “She goes to big school next year. All the preschool teachers said she was ready academically, but I was a year younger than all my friends because I started early and when they were getting jobs and their licence I was always behind. I kept her back for personal reasons.”
Challenges: “Her biggest challenge has been dealing with her father and I breaking up in 2014. There was a lot of drama and he refused to give her back to me for two months. Now everything is settled and she has got it in her head that she is going to see both of us, just at different times.”
Work: “I’m doing Tafe and studying and currently looking for a job.”
Jessica Merlino: May 22.
Parents: Raylene, 42, and Daniel Merlino of Greystanes.
School: “Jessica is off to school next year. I held her back for social reasons. Everyone else said send her but I took the professional advice from daycare.”
Challenges: “My dad has dementia and Jessica was a little confused when he went into a wheelchair, but now she pushes him around in it.”
Work: “I have a fantastic job at the Children’s Hospital at Westmead where I work five hours a day, four days a week in clerical support. It’s in school hours so it’s the best job I’ve ever had. I haven’t been full-time since having kids because I wanted to spend time with them after school.
Tanisha Sharma: May 22.
Parents: Jinia Gomez, 34, and Mohat Sharma of Wentworthville.
School: “She started going to kindy as she was definitely ready. At childcare they said she was fully ready.”
Challenges: “She has a new sister just one month old. She is normally very well behaved but I think she is feeling a little insecure, so a bit of sibling rivalry and a little bit of jealously.”
Work: “I’m on maternity leave for a year. I’m a public servant and I went back full-time when Tanisha was one.”
Ilias Thapa: May 22.
Parents: Batoul Khayat, 27, and Subash Thapa of Auburn.
School: “He is in kindy and loving school. We didn’t think about holding him back because socially he was more than ready.”
Challenges: “To get him to give something a go is a challenge. He is quite shy, mixed with stubborn so it takes time to get to know him. We put him in drama classes to get him to come out of his shell and get his confidence to grow.”
Work: “I’m working full-time now. I’m an operations manager in civil engineering. I started two days a week within a year and I was full-time by the time he was 18 months.”
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