Big, tall boys and behaviour....

[Rantmum]

Just thinking really and wondered if MNers have any thoughts on this...

Was reading another thread and got to thinking about the fact that being the parent of a tall boy seems to mean that I need to come down harder on certain types of behaviour simply because my child may not know his own strength. My ds is only 2.5 but is very active (has been walking since 10 mths) and is very tall for his age and strong. I already feel that I spend alot of time stepping into play situations compared to the parents of his smaller peers who exhibit the exact same amount of occasionally "aggressive" toddler behaviour. I do think it is important that DS learns to conduct himself with control in social situations as he gets older but I think that my approach only works if parents recognise that aggressive behaviour is wrong from anyone regardless of their size.

People can have unrealistic expectations of large children because they misjudge their age/maturity. My brother was huge as a toddler and my mum frequently had to point out to people that his behaviour was normal for his age.

I know of other children who have had people treat them as the age they look rather than their actual age (even when they know what it is in some situations). Both ways round as well (one is very small for their age).

I don't know what you'd do about it though except keep reminding others that their behaviour is appropriate for their age.

I do think you're right to step in when it gets to aggressive behaviour, as you should with any child (regardless of age).

Its a difficult one I think. Hard on the child as they get older if they remain bigger, but not all do. Other children may catch up or overtake at different times.

My eldest and youngest are both big for their age.

As a toddler, eldest was always expected to behave more maturely than his age.

Youngest went through a torrid time when he was 6/7 and went through an aggressive phase (there was a group of lads the same) and he seemed to get into more trouble "because he hurts more" because of his size, even though he was behaving no differently from the others. Very unfair.