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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

DS Weight Gain

104 replies

W989 · 12/10/2020 23:20

DS is 16, 5ft7 and until recently was very active (cycling, walking etc).

He's now started college so busy studying online.

He's never really been overweight, but when he did get a bit of a tummy, he grew.

It was his birthday on the weekend and I bought him a new outfit to wear for a meal out. I bought him his usual size shirt (small) and jeans (28waist). He couldn't wait to wear them. I got him a Tommy hilfiger shirt and Levi jeans. He has asked me to buy them both for him for a while now. But when we were all getting dressed ready to go for the meal, he shouted "Uh oh". I said whats wrong and he showed me that the shirt wouldn't button and the jeans were a few inches from buttoning. He then decided to wear shorts and a tshirt which did fit him. As they were elasticated waist ones.

We went for the meal and we had a great time, albeit socially distanced from others etc.

When we got home he said I'm going to lose weight, I'm upset I couldnt wear my new outfit. I said you're probably growing and not to worry.

Have I done the right thing by saying he's growing and doesnt need to lose weight?

I feel bad for buying him a new outfit that was too small.

OP posts:
StillMedusa · 12/10/2020 23:28

I think you are probably right.. if he's not actually chubby, he's probably gone out and is due to go up (perhaps plus a bit extra due to lockdown)
28 inch waist is very slim. I'd just say 'sorry I got the wrong size, let's go exchange them at the weekend!'

On the other hand if he suddently needs a 36 inch waist and a large.. it's probably a reality check that he needs to watch his intake, even as he grows.

My boys both had periods when they grew out and then shot up a few inches.. DS2 in particular had a tummy for a while. Now they are in their 20's and both absolute whippets... 6 ft and 5 ft 10 and 11 stone and 9.5 stone (ds1 would like to be a bit less skinny but nothing sticks!)

W989 · 12/10/2020 23:38

@StillMedusa I don't know his measurements or weight. He looks like he's got a bit bigger around tummy, thighs and face when he tried the outfit on, but in his other clothes he looks fine.

OP posts:
W989 · 13/10/2020 08:59

Should I be worried?

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TheMarzipanDildo · 13/10/2020 09:04

28 inch is skinny isn’t it? He’s 16- I reckon just still growing.

dementedpixie · 13/10/2020 09:11

Branded items are often smaller made than normal stuff so a Small would be even smaller than usual. He has probably grown since he last had new clothes so you cant just buy the same size forever. Think my 13 year old wears a mix of small and medium mens clothing

AngelicInnocent · 13/10/2020 09:12

DS was always super skinny and tall. Just before he turned 18, he went from 28 waist to 30 waist and has stayed there. Similarly went from small to medium in shirts.

As long as he is active and eats healthy, it is probably just reaching adulthood.

Nottherealslimshady · 13/10/2020 09:13

28inch and a size small is skinny. He will fill out as he goes from boy to man. take them back for a bigger size.

dementedpixie · 13/10/2020 09:13

Looking on Next sizing, a 28 inch waist is for approx age 13-14

WitchesNStuff · 13/10/2020 09:14

My 14 yo is the same height and 28" waist, he is very slim, I would expect that at 16 if he was the same height he will be a bigger waist than that, doesn't sound overweight at all, boys definitely fill out.

olivesnutsandcheese · 13/10/2020 09:14

He's 16, at the peak of growing, measure him against a door frame or whatever and then do it a month later. At 16 boys don't have a usual size yet. Exchange the clothes for a bigger size and next time encourage him to try new things on rather than just assuming they will fit Wink

W989 · 13/10/2020 09:18

Is it worth me weighing and measuring him or not?

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dementedpixie · 13/10/2020 09:20

Well at least measuring his chest and waist size before ordering jeans/shirts might be helpful

SnackRussell · 13/10/2020 09:20

My DS is 15 and he’s probably the same height as your son. He got a girlfriend and suddenly he stopped smelling, started brushing his teeth and lost weight!

He would always grow out a bit before growing up a bit. I think this keeps going until they get to about 18?

28 inch is pretty small anyway I’d say and even if he’s a 32 now I suspect it’s not that big? If he’s aware of it and he’s not upset by it and wants to take control now then that’s a good thing. Don’t feel bad!

Whatisthisfuckery · 13/10/2020 09:22

28 inch waiste is tiny OP, he’s just growing. My DS is about the same size and he’s only just 13, and he’s a skinny bugger.

SnackRussell · 13/10/2020 09:23

Also could it be worth exchanging the clothes for a bigger size anyway? They’ll fit now and they’ll last longer! Kids cost a fortune at this age because everything is in now in human sizes. Angry

dementedpixie · 13/10/2020 09:24

Next has age 15-16 jeans sized with a 32 inch waist

Mindymomo · 13/10/2020 09:25

Firstly sizes differ. We have some TH clothes and they do come up small, as you Next clothes for men. He is right to cut back now. My son at 16 was wearing 36 inch trousers. It did shock him and he cut back on food and lost the weight really quickly, just cutting out crisps and cakes and exercising. It was partly my fault, as he really likes the food I cook, I tend to give him more. My other adult son is 6ft and has weighed 10.5 stone, so very slim, until this year in lockdown, he has put on half a stone and is 34 inch waist.

W989 · 13/10/2020 09:31

@SnackRussell I did offer to change the clothes but DS said he wanted to keep them.

OP posts:
ErickBroch · 13/10/2020 09:31

28inch waist is VERY slim so please try and reassure him there's nothing wrong with not being that slim! a 32inch in men is pretty lean. Poor kid

W989 · 13/10/2020 09:32

@olivesnutsandcheese I wanted to buy them as a surprise. Plus you can't try on clothes in shops. I did think about ordering online for him to try and then if they were too small, I could return them.

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W989 · 13/10/2020 09:33

@ErickBroch but the 28 jeans wouldnt button so I think he's a bit bigger. I did say not to worry

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Bluntness100 · 13/10/2020 09:35

I’d be worried he will develop an eating disorder. Because it seems he’s thinking of dieting himself into these clothes. As others said these are tiny and he is expected to fill out.

I think measuring him or asking him to measure himself is fine. Do not weigh him for goodness sake. But do try to say to him he’s growing up, you made a mistake and the last thing he should be doing is trying to diet into what is effectively kids clothes (this will make him think twice) and try to nip this in the bud.

W989 · 13/10/2020 09:38

@Bluntness100 I have offered to return the clothes for a bigger size and we did have a chat about him growing etc. I think because he wanted them and they didnt fit, it did upset him.

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GameSetMatch · 13/10/2020 09:39

He’s not overweight! For somebody 5”7 I would say 32inch waist and medium shirt. That’s perfect, he won’t stay a skinny little boy he’s turning into a Man!

W989 · 13/10/2020 09:43

@AngelicInnocent thats good to know thanks. I think he is growing and will be much taller

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