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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

sometimes I wish I could make my DD wear a badge that says

4 replies

LieutenantPigeon · 26/02/2010 20:44

"I'm only 2 and a half"

At a few new toddler groups recently, and generally out and about, DD keeps getting looks/comments from people.

She is 2 and a half and still has tantrums, she still uses a buggy occasionally, her speech is not always perfectly clear to someone who doesn't know her, she needs help going to the loo, she needs cuddles when upset, and does spill her drink occasionally.

Recently I've been asked "which pre-school does she go to" and even "has she started school yet" so I'm guessing people think she's 3 or 4.

When I tell people she's only 2 1/2 they're shocked and say "well she's so tall, she looks a lot older".

She is tall but you know, not that tall. She's always been on or just above the 75th percentile and still is AFAIK, so not freakishly tall by any stretch of the imagination. She has lots of long hair, this is always commented on because it apparently makes her look older. And she also has an air of confidence about her which again makes her seem older (so I've been told).

I think she has so many good things going for her, but they're working against her at the moment.

I just feel like putting a "I am 2" badge on her, just so people know and don't feel the need to say "tut why is that girl still in buggy" or whatever

OP posts:
MrsSawdust · 26/02/2010 21:27

Yanbu, but why worry what strangers think? And if it's people you'll be spending time with (such as toddler group) you'll tell them her true age anyway. Pick a new battle.

havoc · 26/02/2010 21:30

I know what you are going through! Like your DD, my DS has always been tall[ish] for his age and people expect so much more of him. He was an early walker too, which didn't help.

One of my friends has a DD (just 2) who is the same height as another friends DD who is 4. When we are out and about you can see people going at my friends 'over protectiveness'!

On the plus side, it has been better with DS as he has become older. So, just hang in there!

MmmCoffee · 26/02/2010 21:46

My friend's DS has always been big for his age, when he was 7 he looked about 10. He also has a really high-pitched 'little boy' voice. Whenever he acted up like a typical 7yo, whining about not being allowed sweets or something, people would look SO shocked, obvs thought he was much older.

If it really bothers you, get a cheapo birthday card with a '2' badge and stick it on her. I would.

Boys2mam · 26/02/2010 21:49

It is frustrating.

My DS1 was just little when I was shopping one day and was stopped by an old man. He informed me that my DS was "far too big to be in a pushchair with a dummy" (Soothers/Pacifiers/Do-dies/Binkies in this house...)

In hindsight he may not have been too far wrong; DS was 18 mths but the size of a 3 yr old and as his mum (me) was dragging him round the shops so it seems everyone was free to comment. Some interfering old twat concerned old man got my back up so that now DS1 is 6 and I still remember this so clearly

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