AIBU to worry my 15-year-old son will stay short?

Lots of boys/young men look very youthful until they’re quite old- my dad always cites the time he was asked for ID at 21 while his date was not. And at work (post 16) some of the boys look several years younger. Guarantee that by 30 they’ll all be shaving etc though, and have filled out. Try not to worry, just give a good diet and plenty of activity, he’ll be golden.

DS16 is only about 5ft2 maybe (haven’t measured him but he’s only just taller than me and I’m 5ft0) I took him to the GP maybe last year and they said that because he was on the 0.4 centile they wouldn’t do anything. I do worry but he seems to have accepted it.

One good thing (imo) is that he is gay so will never have to worry about women rejecting him for being shorter than them!

Boys often don’t stop growing until their early 20s - they keep growing their backs. My DC’s orthopaedic consultant said that.

I hope parents of girls are talking about this relatively new thing about boys needing to be 6’ etc. I find it grotesque that in the U.S men are now undergoing bone lengthening when they are already a perfectly usual sort of height.

there are some things that can be done if there is a deficiency of some sort, which you won’t know unless you go to the GP. If he’s not developing secondary characteristics such as facial or pubic hair he may be low in testosterone (which can be remedied). Even being anaemia can impact on teenage growth and development so surely it’s best to go to the GP and make sure that nothings being missed.

If all is ok there then yes you just accept that he isnt going to be the tallest and at 15 may likely maybe more growing to do, but I’d still get him checked as if you wait much longer there really will be nothing that can be done once growth plates have fused.

This is 100% about confidence and chat. Instead of being absorbed by what these girls at school say he should find some kind of snappy one liner that maybe makes some laugh and shuts them down.

You are very slightly shorter than average. His father is very slightly shorter than average. Your son, therefore, will be very slightly shorter than average when he's finished growing.

My son's didn't stop growing until they were 18 or 19. It's well within the normal range for your son to keep growing for some years yet.

Look into growth hormones?

I love a Short King, we are not all superficial fuckers after a 6 footer, but you're concern is totally valid.

Due to both yours and dh height I do not think he will be over 6ft but I do think he will grow more. We are a tall family and at 15 ds was no higher than 5ft 7 and he was concerned but between 16-18 he shot up and is now 6ft 4. He also at 15 had few signs of a beard etc and his voice broke late. I would see and if by 16 you are still concerned see the gp.

My son was 5’3” at 14 and is now 5’10 at 18 and may still be growing. However his dad was a late developer and is 6’1. The likelihood is your son will be closer to his dad’s height- but honestly anything 5’6 and over is totally within a standard range! If a woman rejects him solely on height then she’s not worth it.

I wouldn’t worry op.

My brother is 5.5 and it has never hindered him in any part of his life. Never had a problem with dating either.

Firstly if you’re adamant that things can’t be done, why bother worrying at all?
take him to the GP to run tests. The chances are there’s nothing wrong but there are a handful of things - going from non optimised nutrition to more serious conditions which may mean your son’s growth could be more optimised.

The dating world can be harsh, but it’s the same for both sexes. According to the media women want a man over 6ft, and men want a woman 10yrs younger with big boobs and a size 8.

In reality, people are attracted to various characteristics. Confidence is a very attractive trait that can be grown (unlike height or breast size). Nobody wants a partner who is resentful of the opposite sex for a perceived slight on their body - that is unattractive.

Work on confidence, take up a hobby or musical instrument. If you’re concerned about development in terms of puberty see a doctor to advise on the medical side, but reiterate to him that the world isn’t against him.

If you’re 5ft3 and his dad’s 5ft8 then 5ft6 could be about right? He could grow a little more though at this age.

It’s never been better to be a ‘short king’ and there’s loads of role models, that Spider-Man guy, Tom Holland, he bagged Zendeya. I love short men.

5'6" isn't that short for a 15 year old. Many boys aren't finished growing until they are 16 or even 18. My DS is 14.5 and he is only 5'3". We're also hoping for a growth spurt in the next year or so. He has grown in the last year but slowly. If your DS isn't shaving yet then he definitely hasn't reached the end of his growth potential. Most likely he will end up the same height as your DH, maybe an inch or two taller.

Is he showing any other signs of puberty- has his voice changed?

Don't be ridiculous.

I would also be of the opinion of discussing with your GP. Things can be done, you (and him) don’t have to deal with this on your own. Ask for help.