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

[Peonytimeguys]

I know it matters to him. He will say something (about how the girls tell him
height is the most important thing for them!) and then clam up but he internalises it, I know- he keeps expecting another growth spurt but who can say that will happen.

i know all the right things to say and I say them. I reflect on how it doesn’t matter, that it’s important build a life on better, less shallow values than how we look. Equally (yes I know therein lies contradictions) I tell him how gorgeous (he is, genuinely) looking, smart, funny and a good person he is. And kids are cruel and school is brutal yada yada

But inside I do think the world is brutal, harsh re what women go for (even the dating apps have height filters) and as much as I try to reject the nonsense, my heart hurts that he will be judged and rejected in love etc - even though I fully realise there are many reasons we get judged, height is just one of them!

He is 15.5yrs, 5ft 6. He shot up about 6 inches in a year - was always on the v short side now less so. Late developer? No facial or underarm hair. Dad is 5ft 8, im 5ft 3. His feet aren’t big

Ask doc if growth hormone would help

Thanks but it doesn’t work like that

What age did his dad stop growing? He would be on the young side to have reached his full adult height

Umm - that isn't that short? The doctor is not going to give any growth hormones.

My DH is probably 5'6'' - he won't say and we always joke about it. I'm 5'8''

I would try not to worry, he's not done growing yet and it's likely he'll reach 5 ft 8 at least.

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.

Don't be ridiculous.

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

Things can’t be done. That’s simply not true

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.

His dad was a late developer - can’t get specifics out of him but on the e late side

Not a single facial
hair!

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.

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.

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.

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.

5’6 is short for a man 🤷‍♀️

Loads of stuff I worry about when it comes to my kids. Often I can do sweet FA about it, but that doesn’t stop me worrying as their mum!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Your are suggesting the anxiety is rational!

he did blood test at 14, no issues, I discussed with doctor then. He had big growth spurt since. But I know enough that they won’t intervene unless there are clear clinical reasons - and there aren’t