My Imitating Son

Children learn by imitation! Your son has been imitating his parents ever since he met them. He's been imitating everyone around him. Wait until he's a teenager - then you'll see imitation!

Five is the oldest your son has ever been, but it's still pretty young. The question is whether his older sister and his younger cousin are giving him good things to imitate, If they're being good role models, you all don't need to worry too much.

Some children have personalities that make them look to others for leadership for a longer time. However, as they get older, they *do* learn to think and act on their own, and often turn out to be better adult leaders than the ones who always led the crowd as kids.

Imitating is how children learn -- it's natural and normal and appropriate. The only circumstance in which I'd separate these kids is if the cousin is being a troublemaker -- if he's taking a path you don't want your son following. Otherwise, leave them alone. The awkwardness of switching classes, even a little bit into the school year will probably outweigh the dubious benefits of separation.

I think it's wrong to separate them. If your son is more of a natural follower than a leader, then he'll just become friends with someone else in the new class and imitate them. He's young. Give him time. Besides, not everyone will be a leader.

If the cousin makes good decisions, then I'd leave them together for this year. I'd also make sure that your son has his own friends and activities - something like Karate that will teach him leadership skills...
LBC

I think kids just do that when it's someone they look up to or admire. My nephew does that with my son all the time. He wants the same drink or the same snack. I see little siblings doing it as well. I just assumed it was age appropriate. I wouldn't worry too much, but I would consider asking them to be in different classes next year. It would give them both a chance to make their own friends and establish their own identities. I know parents sometimes make the same request when they have twins. It's one way to ecourage them to be their own person as well as a twin. Just a thought.

He looks up to his sister and cousin.
He is only 5 and in Kinder. Leave him be for this year then if you still have reservations have the boys put in different classes next year.
Encourage him to seek out activities he likes, Cub Scouts, Tae Kwon Do, swimming, soccer.