How do I cope with an excelptionally tall child?

[brumaday]

My first post, so excuse any errors. My dd is 6, and already in 11-12 yrs, to have room for her to grow I have to look to buying clothing for 12-13. My questions 1) Are their other mums out their with 'exceptionally' tall children. 2) I am now really struggling not to put in her 'teen clothing' any tips on places to shop. She's nearly an adult 3 shoe size.

I am trying not to worry about her growth but always end up stating her age so that she is treated a little more appropriately. Final point she has starting growing under arm hairs -not sure if I should be concerned. Have no idea when to be anxious-saw the T.V. programme about the girl who was over 6ft at 12 and found it very sad. My dd is currently 150cm and just about to start year 2.

If you are worried, you really should go and see the GP and ask for a paediatric referral. This does sound exceptionally tall. On it's own I am sure it's nothing to worry about, but given she's showing signs of onset of puberty, I'd have it checked out if that were me.

Yes, I second IMoniker, get her checked out at the GP, the puberty thing is unusual at 6.

How tall are you and your DH OP?

Thank you IMoniker -DH OP and I are 5ft 10. dd has always been tall but I haven't come across any others even close. I did see the school nurse and GP when she was four/five so guess there is no harm in going again. It is also about managing her emotional development in relation to her height- ensuring she does not feel isolated. As well as practical things like age appropriate clothing. She currently has a very positive self-image I just wondered how others manage?

Sorry I'm unable to offer any advise on her development, but with regardss to clothes I've noticed that Boden clothes have the same range for little ones right up to teenage sizes, also maybe Next the sizes which start at an age 3 usually go up to an older age range.

I would take her to your gp, even if it's just to put your mind at rest. My dd grow pubic hair shortly after her 6th birthday. She was referred to the hospital were she had blood tests and has regular appointments. So it's nothing frightening, but it's good that they are keeping an eye on her development.

Although my dd is average height, her friend and her sister are tall - always a head height above everyone else on their class. Dd friend is 8 now, and still tall, but not noticeably so. Other children have caught up and maybe she isn't growing quite so fast?

As I said, going to the gp might put your mind at rest. The worst thing that could happen is that they may monitor her growth and development

Just a thought on a slightly different angle - please consider encouraging her to get involved in a sport where being tall is an advantage and where she will be amongst other tall girls and older women.

I have been involved in womens rowing for many years and can see a massive difference in tall girls who row and are comfortable and proud of their physique (much better posture, dress to suit it, generally look gorgeously tall) and tall girls who don't and are less comfortable with themselves.
Also, it gives good access to tall boys which may be a bonus when she is older!

Hope you don't mind me going off topic like this, I just think it can be hard being a tall girl and having older tall women around can be helpful.

Are you a tall family?

I think I would definitely get this checked by a GP / paediatrician. Being tall is one thing, but the onset of puberty at 6 is definitely too early and needs investigation. Most likely it will turn out to be a normal variant, but I don't think you can just ignore it.

As far as clothes go, I would second Boden, also Gap, and American brands like OshKosh, for age-appropriateness in larger sizes (I have the same problem, but not as extreme - DD is 5 and in ~age 8 clothes, DS is 9 and in age 13).

Thank you all. I have been quitely worrying for quite a few years. I do sort of talk about it with other parents but I didn't want to come across as 'overly anxious'. Sugarand Spite, I have been aware of the benefit of sport so have had her swimming since she was a baby, she ice-skates, plays tennis and for extra hand eye co-ordination she startign learning guitar- she is more than competent in all of these. I have been concerned about her posture hence the activities. I will looking into rowing/cycling when she is older?

At the moment she has a good set of friends who are use to her being tall but she is growing so fast. I know I may have to tackle the school about where she sits...the desk and chairs are already getting uncomfortable. The day-to-to stuff.

I am definitely go back to GP. We aren't a particularly tall family . Although I was 5ft 8 at 11 and DH and I are 5 ft 10.

Hopefully some of her friend will catch up soon. DS 7 is tall (bought size 3 shoes just this week) but the tallest in his class are a handful of girls. Totally think you are doing the right thing in pointing out her age so others expectations are reasonable.

The puberty might be a good thing in some ways, as it will halt growth. A relative of ours was very tall and there was talk of inducing puberty at a young age to stop her growing anymore.

There is also a scheme in our area of Hertfordshire to help give tall girls confidence, but cant remember the name of it and I think it is aimed at secondary school girls.

RE: Clothes - outdoor and sports shops all sell the exact same practical clothes; t-shirts, hoodies/sweatshirts and fleeces, shorts and trousers etc in sizes ranging from 3-4 to teenage. They do tend to be quite plain though, even when they are brightly coloured (they're just copies of adult clothes really), so if you're looking for stuff with pictures on, such as animal characters etc, you might struggle.

Children are half their adult height at 2. I measured my DD on her second birthday and she is destined to be 5' 10". She is 12 now and is currently 5' 5" with size 9 feet . She plays Goalkeeper for a netball team

She does moan a bit about her height, but only in relation to her loan pony and prefaces any comment about boys with "He is tiny". I keep telling her that others will catch up with her. May look into rowing after hearing about the Sporting Giants initiative.

If you are worried then maybe discuss with your GP out of her earshot?

Thanks again. I am speaking to GP Monday to start the referral process rolling/ blood test. Hopefully get somewhere before the end of the holiday. I watched a television programme a while back where an 11/12 who was over 6ft might have been put on some sort of treatment but the downside was the possibility of her becoming infertile, so I a ware of that level of intervention.

Anyway, will say how it goes - got to get school, shoes and uniform ( another issue!)

I know a couple who are 5'11and 6'4, but their 6 yearold is only 3 inches bigger than mine, who is quite short. Take her to the GP, she shouldn't be hitting puberty yet.

I am googling for clothes for you right now, by the way

Try Cafe Press online shop for a more interesting range of tshirts and hoodies etc. I've bought them for birthday presents and the quality is quite good (printed tshirts often Fruit of the Loom).

Thanks all. Just attempted the school uniform shop. I had to but a school dress for a 12year old. Great in length but slightly to baggy!

ExitPursuedByAGoldenBear, how does your dd peers cope with her...my dd is already 5ft at 6years old although she plays happily with other six year olds it was apparent on holidaythat she seemed to play better with children nearer her height.

Will look at the online shops to give her a decent range of things to wear.

I was going to post something very similar to sugarandspite - I think what she suggests is excellent. Tall girls are special when it comes to opportunities to excel in sports such as rowing and it your daughter liked that, or any other sport that suits taller girls, she would view her height as a blessing that makes her one of the lucky few as opposed to wanting to be the height of other girls in her class.

Just a quick up-date. GP is unconcerned will do the blood tests and take it from their. Is the GP who makes the referral to a growth specialist? As if nothing else I do what to know what they predict her adult height to be through the measurement/assessment of her joints?

Good to hear they are making a referral - that should help put your mind at rest.

My 12 year old has always been tall for his age. He is currently 6foot and has size 12.5 shoes- nightmare. He also went through puberty at 10 and if you met him on the street I bet you would say he was 16 at least (although he doesn't shave yet - but it's coming!!)

I am 5ft 7 and his dad 5ft 6!! I have an uncle who is 6ft 4 but i suspect he will out grow him. His brother is very bog standard average!!

Good luck