BOISE, ID — A Boise woman discovered Monday that the ages she has cited for her three children at pediatric appointments, school enrollment forms, and casual neighborhood conversation have been off by between two and six years, after her eldest son pointed out he was old enough to get a learner’s permit.

Deborah Ellison, 44, entered the ages of her children into her phone contacts in the spring of 2020 and has not updated them since, operating for the past six years under the sincere belief that she was “pretty sure about” all three numbers. Her youngest daughter, whom Deborah has consistently described as “just turned five,” turned eleven in February.

“In my head it’s still COVID,” Ellison told reporters. “Emotionally, we all lost some years. I feel like that counts.”

“She filled out my sports physical last fall and listed me as nine. The doctor didn’t say anything. I don’t know what that means about anyone involved.”

Her son, Marcus Ellison, 15, said the error came to light when his mother cheerfully told the DMV clerk he was “twelve, thirteen tops” during what was supposed to be a routine permit application. The clerk, Thomas Brauer, 51, confirmed the visit was “the longest eleven minutes of my career.”

Deborah has since updated all three contact entries, adding a note to herself that reads “add one every year” with no reminder attached.

At press time, Ellison was confidently telling her book club that Marcus would be starting kindergarten soon.