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Teenagers

Parenting teenagers has its ups and downs. Get advice from Mumsnetters here.

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Original poster

14 and no sign of puberty

11 replies

chiara100 · 13/09/2010 22:49

My son is 14.5, small for his age and showing no signs of puberty. He is very self-conscious and down about this and it is starting to affect his confidence. Doctor suggested getting him checked out if nothing has happened by the time he is 15. Any thoughts?

OP posts:

lovemydog · 13/09/2010 23:25

I could have written this post a couple of years ago. At 14, my son was the smallest in his year and got very down about it. We went to the doctor for reassurance and were referred to hospital for checks. The doctor found that there were some signs of puberty "down below" (I was never allowed to look!) - but he had no body hair and his voice hadn't broken. Doc was reluctant to prescribe growth hormones (like all drugs, there are side effects)- but wanted to see him every 6 months. By 15.5, he had grown 6 inches, his voice had broken and he had body hair. Now at 17 he is 5 foot 9 (still very skinny, but his dad was thin as a teenager), has a steady girlfriend and is much happier.

I suppose what I'm trying to say is your son will probably be the same - just a late developer. But it will do no harm to have him checked out if the doctor thinks it would be a good idea

Kewcumber · 13/09/2010 23:30

my nephew was exactly same as lovemydogs DS except at 18 he is now 5'11!

hellymelly · 13/09/2010 23:31

My brother started a new school at 14,and was constantly being sent to first year classes by mistake as he looked 11.He (well both of us)hit puberty on the late side,but we did hit it in the end.I started my periods at nearly 16 and my brother at 16 grew loads and is now 6'.Checks are good just in case something is amiss,but he is probably just going to have a big growth spurt next year.I was the second smallest in my year at 15.the smallest girl is still small at under 5'.I am now 5'8'!!!

KTRace · 13/09/2010 23:37

I am a female and this was me, nothing happened until I was 15 and then it was periods, still no boobs, finally got boobs and grew after GCSE's, went from one of the smallest to one of the tallest over the summer.
I was being investigated by doctors, they didn't give me anything but they did tell my parents to feed me anything, I was very slim, as I just needed calories to grow. Parents put on a lot of weight. When my brother's time came, he was also late and it now very very tall but slim, out came the chocolate and crisps to help him put on the weight needed to grow.
It was a terrible time, I hated being that age and am anxious for my daughter as my husband developed late too.
All I can say is that it makes you stronger and is soon forgotten, well not so much forgotten as you move on. I hope your son is ok.

Original poster

chiara100 · 14/09/2010 15:54

Thanks so much for replies. I too was quite a late developer and remember lying about having started my periods because I felt so left behind - I guess that memory makes me feel for him even more. With boys though it's all so obvious, his two best friends tower over him and on holiday he was asked if he and his 12 year old sister were twins! Will definitely keep in touch with doctor just in case, but hopefully keep the fridge well stocked in anticipation of a growth spurt.

OP posts:

seenitallbefore · 14/09/2010 19:48

My boy was the one at the end of the row in school photos all through school. (you know-the two wee boys at either side of the row of girls . he was always one of them. ) Now 6 ft 1 in. Didnt stop growing till 20 ! Most of his pals had much earlier puberty and he now towers over them. Also depends on you and his dads height. Likely to be in same zone.

AnyFucker · 14/09/2010 20:01

I give you...

Justin Bieber

he is 16 and looks much younger/is very small

the girls love him

on a serious note, he will catch up, some kids are just slower than others

lilmamma · 11/10/2010 23:25

my brother was tiny,he shot up at 15,he was one of the last in his class and is now 5ft 10.His daughter is 14,and looks about 10 and completely flat chested,she must take after her dad..if you were a late developer,he might just be taking after you.

WingDad · 12/10/2010 00:18

It happens, and is generally nothing to worry about :)

I distinctly remember it took me an age to properly undergo puberty, and my parents had similar concerns (I even had one of those 'downstairs' checks as well someone mentioned, gosh that was the most embarrassing thing of my 14 year life ). But it all worked out in the end, I managed to catch up with my mates on the development front and even overtook a few in height and build.

What I found though was that those who normally hit puberty later in their life, have less 'negative effects' such as acne, mood swings or a sudden voice break. I hardly ever had any spots and my voice gradually got deeper, as opposed to one distinct incident with a friend of mine whose broke in the middle of a rugby match! I may be wrong in this thesis, but it's something I've observed.

Hope it all works out with your son :)

hobbgoblin · 12/10/2010 00:23

From a female perspective, we always thought the little boys in class who weren't all gruff were cute and quite fanciable, plus less threatening so chances are he'll build lots of female friendships as the non-sexually threatening lad in class - this will stand him in good stead for future stud muffindome and husbandry.

basildonbond · 12/10/2010 14:44

ha ha wingdad - we've got the mood swings here alright just no outward signs of puberty (still looks like a cute little boy)

although his feet are growing (2 sizes bigger than mine now and he's shorter than me) and his voice is definitely getting lower very gradually ...

OP - it'll happen ...

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