Short teenage son
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Short teenage son
| Fri, 04-27-2007 - 11:13am |
I'm concerned for my son. He's 16, went through puberty early (6th grade or so it began). He hasn't grown at all in the last couple of years. He's only 5'6" or MAYBE 5'7". His body is filling out, etc and he's lean and muscular, but he's self consious of his height. Weight 140 or so.
Is he destined to be a short individual (I am 5'3", but his dad is 6'3") or is there the chance he'll grow more later on....my husband says he grew another inch when he was 19 or 20......I think he's fine. He's extrememly handsome (even from a mom's perspective) he's athletic and popular, but I know his height worries him.

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I swear my 19 yr old is still growing-I keep forgetting to measure him when he comes home from college but it 'looks; that way. He, however, was frighteningly small(went to pediatric endocrinologist when he was 2)and began puberty at late 15/early 16 so this seems natural
My 22 yr old hit puberty in 6th grade and that first spurt was definitely the biggest. He was pretty much at his full height in junior high. Yet somehow, somewhere he did add another inch and I suspect it was 18ish.
I know from pictures that DH was late to puberty and grew later on so I think your sons chances are better with a parent who did the same.
Still, I think the chances of him adding more than 1-2 inches are not too good. I'm no endocrinologist but Im not sure anyone would be doing him a service by reassuring him will be as tall as his dad, KWIM? Id rather prepare him to be comfortable at 5-8 or 5-9 and let him be surprised if he surpasses that
Hi Shels! It is nice to 'see' you here again. It is hard to say if your DS will grow more or not ... I don't think even a physician could be 100% certain. I sort of recall our physician implying that once a boy reached puberty, he wouldn't grow much more. BUT, I could be very wrong on that. I've also heard that boys continue to grow up until about 18 or 19.
My older brother and I were almost the same height through most of high school. In fact, there was a short period of time when I was actually taller than him by just a skosh.
However ... that changed somewhere around between his jr and sr year and he shot up to his adult height, which is 6'3. My mom is 5'3 and my dad is 6'2, so like your DS, he came from similar stock. I hope that will be encouraging to both of you!
As an aside, you may remember me posting about my chubby little DS? Well, he turned 13 about a month ago and is now a very lean 5'7! And dang -- he's sure a fine-looking young man!
It's nice to see you too!! I lurk here often, and although I can access the site again from my work, I don't post very often anymore.
I've read such differing opinions on the internet, and some feel they can grow until they are 20 or 21, some feel once puberty is done (which I'd say his is) they don't grow much.
I think he's awesome...but his brother is taller (a 7th grader) and this is beginning to be a bother...my MIL keeps bringing it up (wow, T, your LITTLE brother is Taller than you!!!) arrghhhh....how can she be so insensitive? I guess since I'm short, I dont' understand, but why does society put such pressure on male height?
I hope he grows a little more--maybe hit 5 8 or so...5'9"? But at 5'6 and a half it may not happen.
I've been reading about the transformation in your son........I've been glad to read that he's doing so well.......
BTDT- My son -who is now 20 almost 21- went thru similar problem & concern at the same age- at that time when he went for his annual physical he mentioned it to the Ped. at that time- who explained to both of us: he went over Tom's chart since birth to see how his growth rate had been (on the normal curve) then he asked for a family history: How tall was DD? How tall am I? what about my parents? How tall is DH? His parents- then based on that he speculated that DS would most likely be as tall or slightly taller than DD (who is about 5'7") My DH is just under 6'- well within a year or two- DS began sprouting (we are also told boys can continue growing beyond puberty into late teens/early 20's) and now he has surpassed his sister and is just as tall as DH - so he eclipsed the Drs expectations!
I would say that if your DH & family are tall there is every chance he will continue to grow some between 16-19yrs.
I'm sorry your MIL isn't being very sensitive to T' sensitivity on this subject! Like anyone has any control over his/her height?! Maybe you could enlighten her? I dunno, my own MIL seems to be missing her sensitivity chip, too. (Good info to file away for our own MIL days, no?)
My own DH is only 5'8; I think it is quite possible T will gain another inch or two before he's done growing altogether. Keep reminding to him that his height does NOT define who he is as a person ... he doesn't have to be 6 foot tall to be an awesome athlete, a good student, popular and well-liked, etc. His height will not define his success as an adult, either!
Hang in there and pop in more often -- we miss you!
Even though puberty is over??--full facial hair,etc....I would expect he's pretty well through it.....
that is quite encouraging......thank you!
Thanks, I appreciate it.......I dont' think much about it--to me he's great. My adult friends (female) have OFTEN commented on his good looks.....so I don't think it is that mommy pride that says he's really very VERY good looking.
I've heard his friends comment on how short he is.....and how much body hair he has......so he's been doubly cursed as far as what I 'percieve' as problem areas go for boys......he's got full facial hair, very hairy legs (not so much on the arms, though), and hair on his chest (that he shaves.....I wouldn't know this except I see the re-growth).
He seems confident enough in a crowd, but I am certain he worries...he wants to try protien and creatine (sp) thinking it'll help......I tell him it won't.......much to his dismay. I try very VERY hard to not mention height.......so as NOT to be insensitive like grandma.
Oh a note on MIL (T's grandma)....I told her at a track meet that T's is VERY sensitive about his height....her comment? 'Well I bet it REALLY bothers him that his brother is taller!!" why can't she let that GO? I've asked DH to speak to his dad about it and see to it that grandma STOPS comparing them.
I tried to post a photo, but can't seem to do it.....oh well.
thanks!
BUT we worried, esp when the doctor commented on his size.
So I asked to have him tested. A blood test and a wrist x-ray gave his bone's "age" and things were ok. He wasn't behind. I understand from these and other tests they can estimate how much more he will grow and decide if there is something that should be done about it.
That said, if he IS going to be on the short side, a good project is to collect info and pictures of all the successful guys who are really short, ie., Stephen Spielberg, Tom Cruise, Napolean (LOL), etc etc.
Good luck. I understand how it feels.
There are worse things than being short.
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