A lot of people were skeptical when Danielle Busby announced in August that one of the
OutDaughtered Busby quints, Riley Busby, would be skipping preschool and going to kindergarten
a year early.
Many people criticized this decision, with parent shamers coming out in droves to lambaste
the TLC family for splitting up the quints by letting one of them skip a grade.
Danielle and Adam Busby stuck to their guns, though, and sent Riley off to kindergarten
in order to provide her with a challenge as she was performing above grade level.
Now, a couple of months into the school year, there's proof that the OutDaughtered family's
decision to have Riley skip a grade was a good one.
"I don't know if I can handle a smart kid!"
The decision to send Riley Busby straight to kindergarten came after all the quints
took a test at a local preschool last June.
In an episode of OutDaughtered, it was revealed that Riley scored an "unusual" 84 on the exam.
Because of this high score, the Busbys decided that Riley would do better in a more challenging
environment and sent her off to kindergarten.
Adam posted in the comments of an Instagram photo commemorating the quints' first day
of school,
"It was a learning experience for us and it's been positive since we chose to separate them.
There ain't a manual for raising quints…
We are making the best decision that we can with the information and intuition that we
have as their parents."
In a video clip from TLC released in early October 2019, Riley seems to be thriving in
her new environment.
She was a little hesitant at first but took the change in stride.
Still, Riley looked like she was welcoming the challenge of being in kindergarten and
didn't seem to miss having her sisters around.
Riley's teacher said that she was doing great in her kindergarten class.
"I know she's a little bit younger than the rest of them but she's doing really great,
she's learning."
"I'm so happy to hear that."
According to Danielle and Adam Busby, Riley has been doing well in kindergarten since
day one.
After her first day of school, alongside an adorable image of a sleeping Riley, Adam posted
to Instagram,
"First day of kindergarten in the books and she CRUSHED it!
So incredibly proud of this little kid.
When she wants something, there is nothing going to stand in her way and she is right
at home forging her own path.
My MIGHTY pint sized princess is going to be something great one day."
Nearly two months later, Danielle confirmed in her own Instagram post that Riley was still
enjoying kindergarten.
Danielle wrote,
"She wakes up every morning still so excited about school."
On OutDaughtered, Riley Busby gained a reputation as being the sassiest of the quints.
In the Season 4 premiere, Adam said,
"The whole house revolves around Riley.
She thinks everything is about her and she will not back down.
It is Riley's world.
She's bossy, she is the toughest, she will pick a fight, and she will win it.
And she throws the worst tantrums.
She'll get what she wants…
I think she's smarter than all of us."
Danielle and Adam later speculated that Riley's naughty behavior might be because she has
simply been bored and needed more intellectual stimulation.
"I'm starting to wonder if she's bored, and if that's why she always acts up."
If this is the case, sending her to kindergarten a year early might help Riley settle down
a little bit at home.
The Busbys have yet to update fans, though, on whether or not Riley's behavior at home
has changed since starting kindergarten.
Even though Riley Busby skipped a grade this year, Danielle and Adam still aren't sure
if they'll be sending her on to first grade next year.
They wanted to challenge her by sending her to kindergarten early, but there's still a
chance that she won't remain a grade level ahead of the other quints for the rest of
their academic careers.
Adam and Danielle might still decide to have Riley repeat kindergarten with her sisters
next year.
"It's just going to leave us with a big decision to make at the end of this year."
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