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Behaviour/development

Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.

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Original poster

how tall is too tall?

16 replies

christensen50 · 27/04/2011 08:37

My son, almost 11, has always been on the 99th centile, until a year ago when he shot up. I'm assuming he's going through puberty early - sleeping late in the mornings, greasy hair, teenage attitude! He's now 5' 5" and noticing that he's as tall as many adults. My family are tall (I'm 5' 10" and the men on the danish side of my family are all well over 6ft). Has anyone else got a tall son who's going through/has gone through this early growth spurt? I try not to worry, but it would be reassuring to find that others are in the same boat.

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CMOTdibbler · 27/04/2011 08:45

I was pretty much my adult height by the time I started secondary school, so I guess its nothing to worry about, esp as he has someway to go before his adult height which I'd guess will be at least 6'

MamaLaMoo · 27/04/2011 09:28

I was taller than my primary headmistress when I left year 6, now 5ft 10. Spent until Year 11 taller than all the boys in my year! Got a bit fed up looking down on my friends I have to say, all conversations went on at shoulder height and people assumed I was a lot older than I was, my youngest bro was born when I was 13 and lots of people thought he was mine if they saw me next to the buggy!

Opposite for DH, he was shorter than peers and tubby until 15/16 yo now a slender 6ft 2.

Original poster

christensen50 · 27/04/2011 13:53

Maybe I'm worrying unnecessarily and should throw the red book away!! It's probably way out of date now, as the charts are getting on for 20 years old now, and each generation is getting steadily taller. Wish I didn't fret so much, and thanks for reassurance.

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Lancelottie · 27/04/2011 14:21

Well, DH (adult height 6 ft 8) was allegedly already 6 ft 2 by the end of primary, so I doubt you need worry. Bit disconcerting for the staff, though, I should think!

rabbitstew · 27/04/2011 15:34

I do know one woman who had to have some kind of growth restriction treatment - she's 6'2'', so heaven knows how tall she would have ended up without it. I think a genuine growth "problem" is quite rare, though.

herbietea · 27/04/2011 15:39

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Original poster

christensen50 · 27/04/2011 17:46

Good to know my DS is not alone. Just alarming to see him growing so quickly, so young! Maybe I'll stop panicking about this - but probably find something else to worry about instead!

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sowhatshallido · 28/04/2011 09:45

does he like basketball? get him started before secondary and they love the tall lads!

Original poster

christensen50 · 28/04/2011 12:44

Just researching that at the moment! I've told him he'll be very popular there, and there'll probably be other tall boys like him. Thanks!

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PartialToACupOfMilo · 30/04/2011 21:37

One of the boys in my yr7 class is much much taller than me and I'm 5'8" so I'd guess he's 6' ish. He has a whole load of friends and the only time his height is ever commented on is when he walks into the projector and the image on the board goes swinging up and down. It definitely hasn't affected him in a negative way. Also, I doubt there's much you can do about it anyway...

heliumballoons · 30/04/2011 21:56

I'm 5"7 and when she visited this easter my friends DSD, 12 last month was taller than me.

Some peak with their growth early.

moreandmore · 30/04/2011 22:38

I call the red book the devil's book. It will drive you nuts. My DS was at the bottom of the chart for everything at birth, then thrived, then didn't, so his trajectory has been all over the place. If it was just down to common sense, I would be able to look at him and say he's doing brilliantly. But the book is always there, in the back of my mind!

All children go through different growth spurts - my husband was a titch until he was 11 and is now just under 5, 11 and my best friend was the tallest girl in her class at 11 years old, and now barely scrapes 5th

moreandmore · 30/04/2011 22:40

Sorry should have said, she barely scrapes 5 ft!

CarGirl · 30/04/2011 22:47

My dh finished growing at 14, he's 6'3" SIL & MIL stopped at 11, they are 5'10" & 5'9". I carried on growing to about 18 - I'm 5' 0.5"

Original poster

christensen50 · 06/05/2011 18:35

I agree that the red book is the devil's book. I'm just the same, always checking that DS2 isn't off the top of the scale. Like you say, the book is always there! Whether it's to tell you that your child is growing too tall/not tall enough; is overweight/underweight; is speaking the required number of words, etc, etc. As you say, throw away the red book and common sense would prevail!!

So reassuring to read these replies. I'm beginning to worry less.

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lazymumofteenagesons · 06/05/2011 19:23

Both my sons hit puberty early and towered over their peers. However they stopped growing at about 13/14 and unfortunately are an average 5'9.5" now. the .5 is very important to them!

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