To get pissed off and a bit sad for ds when people continually make comments about his height?

[zippyswife]

Ds is tall for his age. He's 5 and is the same height as the taller people a year older than him. So not obscenely tall but taller than most his age (having said that a friend's dd and cousins dd are the same age and height as him). He's naturally slim so I guess it's more noticeable.

He's gone through a growth spurt lately and in the past few months not s day goes by where his height isn't commented on. This is mainly by friends and family but also strangers.

Tends to go along the lines of "he's so tall, like really tall, he's going to be a head taller than everyone else in his class". So not nasty but nearly always in front of him or directed to him. Some people comment on it every time they see him.

So far he just shrugs it off but I don't want him being self conscious about his appearance. He is tall he will be tall. Dh is 6"2 so it's inevitable. I just don't want ds to be concerned about his appearance especially at such a young age. We tell him it's good to be tall and that daddy and uncles are tall etc to try to combat any negativity and promote positive body image.

Or am I just being precious?

Ds1 is 9 and wears age 13/14 leg jeans he's so tall and has had people comment on his height his entire life. So far he's shown no concern that everyone comments. Occasionally I got a little frustrated when he was young but it was more that people expected him to behave more maturely because he looked older than his years. I've learned to go with it; his Dad is 6ft5, he's going to be tall and it's just how he is.

YABU, he is a boy, height is seen as a good thing! Why would he feel self concious about it unless you make a big deal of it? He is tall!

My sister was tall, 5 ft 6 by the time she was about 10 (never got any taller though!) she developed a stoop as she was constantly compared to her more 'dainty' friends. Genuinely can't imagine that happening to a boy.

Dd3 is 91st centile for height. She's a summer born 6 year old in 7-8 clothes already. She's easily as tall as the older girls in the year above. It's always commented on but we see it as a positive thing.

Yabu. Being tall is seen as a good thing, especially in males. Why would he be self conscious? He's being complimented. Nothing to be pissed off or be sad about.

Lots of people tend to have a feature that is more noticeable. Most people comment on my dd's eyes, no biggie.

You just wouldn't say to someone "wow you're really short/fat

This does happen, ds (tallest in school since P5's) best pal (very short) does get told he's tiny, a wee rocket (good at footie), Chihuahua etc. Its not a problem for him.

His other pal is very stocky, with HUGE feet etc and he gets comments about being a powerhouse, mountain, giant. Again not a problem.

All the boys don't have any concerns as their differences are spoken in a positive light and friendly manner. Obviously if the comments were rude that would be different. Think the problem is more you seeing the comments negatively and you should try very hard not to make him feel negative too especially over something as inconsequential as being a little bit taller than average.

*Both my DC are tall, age 7 wear clothes two - three years above.

It is mentioned quite a lot (esp as I'm petite) I just reply very positively and say 'yes, isn't it lovely - they take after their Dad'.*

Are you me I have two tall 7 year old's, am also petite with tall DH!

OP my two are both the tallest in their respective classes being 140cm and 137cm. People mention it all the time, I just smile and say "I know isn't it great"!

I can see how it will get on their nerves as they get older though... people just love to state the bloody obvious, reminds me of the time a colleague once said, after meeting my husband,

"Oh minion, your DH is black"! ... I replied "Is he, wow thanks for letting me know". Stupid bloke...

Ha minion, similar here. Along with being tall, dd doesn't look Caucasian (I am/do), but through odd combination of genes both sides rather than being directly mixed race. We've had 'oh, it's unusual with her heritage to be so tall, I always thought (insert race) tended to be more petite, although she has got the small build'. Even assuming they mistakenly think she's direct mixed race, then the fact I'm tall and the same build should be a dead giveaway that whatever race they think her colour comes from, the height is at the least her heritage from me.

People just comment on whatever is a little different. Don't think it's supposed to be malicious. Dd1 has really curly hair, like Afro hair though we are Caucasian. Most interactions with strangers involves a comment about her hair. You are definitely overthinking this one!

You just wouldn't say to someone "wow you're really short/fat
It is a long time ago, but as a boy at school I was ridiculed by a couple of, ahem, stout girls for being too thin, which brings me to -
" I was either asked to dance by the geeky beanpoles (that my mum used to say would end up really attractive but I refused to believe it) "

I can say that, as a geeky beanpole who was often rejected, I still haven't really got over it. I recently lied about my height in a foray into online dating - I shaved 3 inches off my height after finding my sis had set an upper limit of 6'2" on her "requirements"

Being tall has been far from all it's cracked up to be for me.

I'm regularly told I'm short!