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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Burst my friend's bubble?

476 replies

Flyingmonica · 06/12/2025 13:12

My friend goes on about her son likely being tall - 6 foot 3 based on the UK growth chart. Would I be unreasonable in telling her that because she isn't very tall, this is unlikely to be the case and that the growth chart predictions are rubbish?

She is sold on the idea of her son being tall and her son has come to believe that too but I think that now he is approaching puberty, he may become very disappointed.

Should I just leave it be or should I give her a dose of reality?

OP posts:
LemonDrizzleKay · 07/12/2025 12:56

Wow, I am surprised about what passes as friendship these days.

cannyvalley · 07/12/2025 12:57

I’m 5ft 2, and my adult son is over 6ft

localnotail · 07/12/2025 12:57

I have a friend who is only about 1.60m (sorry, dont do feet and inches) but both of her kids are extremely tall - I'm talking around 2m tall - both have different dads who are around 1.80m - so not extremely tall and clearly boys got their height from mum. And I have a friend who has a very tall husband and her son is like a mini copy of his dad - looks the same but short.

Iwantitidontwantit · 07/12/2025 12:57

Flyingmonica · 06/12/2025 14:25

Boys care how tall they are or are going to be. So it matters. The UK growth charts are not good predictors, I don't think. How many of your kids ended up in the range the UK growth chart said when they were kids?

My friend's son is early puberty and I just don't see how he is going to grow to that height. He probably expects to be over 6 foot.

I won't comment on your friends son but my 16 year DD growth chart said she would be 5'7 - 5'9 and she is indeed 5'8. So the chart was accurate for her. I'm 5'1 and her dad us 5'9

marilyntaylor · 07/12/2025 12:59

I’m 5’2” and DH is 5’7”, but DS2 is 6’1”. My grandparents were 5’2” and 5’5” and my uncle is 6’. It does happen!!

Mermaidsarereal · 07/12/2025 13:00

Don't really see why you would say anything, I'm pretty sure it's not going to ruin the kids life if he isn't 6ft3 exactly. My parents aren't tall (neither am I) but my brother is over 6ft so genetics don't always matter.

localnotail · 07/12/2025 13:00

I would also say I had a late puberty and was the smallest in my age group until I was about 16, then I had a huge growth spur and ended up 1.73m which is not that short for a woman. Was really weird, I had a boyfriend at 15-16 who was taller than me and suddenly I was same height as him.

MyTrivia · 07/12/2025 13:01

Why do you care so much?

Atina321 · 07/12/2025 13:10

Let her be - telling her will have no impact on the outcome!

Dollymylove · 07/12/2025 13:17

Unless you are an expert in genetics and growth you should probably keep schtum

Parky04 · 07/12/2025 13:26

Im 5ft 4 and 1 of my sons is 6ft 3 and the other one 5ft 8!

Ireallywantadoughnut36 · 07/12/2025 14:17

My brother is 6 foot and we are all short (dad is maybe 5 9, mum and I are 5 2 - 5 3). It happens. Also just leave it alone, even if you're right what point is there in forcing it down their throats now. Your reasoning that forcing them to agree with you now will mean they're happier in the long run is a bit nuts, firstly she'll probably tell you you're wrong, which will make it all the more awkward if he ends up short and secondly, I doubt he'll give a sh*t and he'll one hundred per cent get used to it and not be bothered.

OnlyHasEyesForLoki · 07/12/2025 14:46

I’m 5’7.5 and my son is 5’7”. However my daughter is 5’9. Strange things happen when genetics are involved!! You sound like you would take pleasure in “bursting her bubble”. You don’t sound like a very good friend!

BrightMintTea · 07/12/2025 14:46

Probably best to stay out of it. Puberty can surprise everyone, so no point bursting her bubble.

Cherrysoup · 07/12/2025 14:48

TheLightSideOfTheMoon · 06/12/2025 13:15

I’m 5’3” and DS is 6’4”.

It does happen.

Same in my family, mum is 5ft3, my brother is 6ft4, dad was 6ft.

Don’t see why it’s anything to do with the OP, anyway.

Silvercoconut · 07/12/2025 14:55

What's it to you??
Just unnecessarily mean spirited!

YerArseInParsley · 07/12/2025 15:48

Flyingmonica · 06/12/2025 13:12

My friend goes on about her son likely being tall - 6 foot 3 based on the UK growth chart. Would I be unreasonable in telling her that because she isn't very tall, this is unlikely to be the case and that the growth chart predictions are rubbish?

She is sold on the idea of her son being tall and her son has come to believe that too but I think that now he is approaching puberty, he may become very disappointed.

Should I just leave it be or should I give her a dose of reality?

A dose of reality 😮 it sounds like u will take delight in BRINGING HER DOWN A PEG OR 2.

Thinking her child will be tall is not that deep. If u wanted to say something it should have been during the conversation but it shouldn't be a nasty comment.

lifeisgoodrightnow · 07/12/2025 15:54

I’m 5ft 4 my son is 6ft 8 and always measured tall on the growth charts as a youngster

BuckChuckets · 07/12/2025 15:58

I'm just concerned at @Flyingmonica being so unhealthily obsessed with a teenage boy.

Sunflower459 · 07/12/2025 16:02

I’ve truly never understood where the male obsession with height came from. This thread makes me think that perhaps certain adults are making it a big deal far earlier than I’d realised.

Ionlymakejokestodistractmyself · 07/12/2025 16:08

Some people are tall. Some people are short. Something unexpected could stunt or promote height. Leave it alone and stop trying to take your friend down a peg.

Yaffly · 07/12/2025 16:12

I hope she outgrows her friendship with you OP

Jan24680 · 07/12/2025 16:17

Based on my 5'7" leaving primary school people thought I'd be 6' like my grandmother. I had less than 2" to grow. If friend isn't going on about it I'd leave alone.

Waterweight · 07/12/2025 16:24

Most tall men seem to come from short to average women though don't they ?

yelloworanges1 · 07/12/2025 16:38

Why do you even care!? Just leave it.

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