PSA - when you greet my son-

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All, I will be in the small helicopter three steps behind and to the left of my son.

He has some unusual traits. I would appreciated if you would grab a rule sheet from the helicopter - I will be dropping leaflets - so that you can greet him appropriately.

Should you be wearing purple, please save your greetings for another day. He doesn't like to meet people in such clothing after a bad experience with a plum as a toddler.

Your cooperation is appreciated.

.

I was coming here to post something similar but you beat me to it. Good job, PP!

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Boy can have xyy as 1 in 1000 boys/men have and do not know. Unless your son is truly turned off by the question, why make a PSA? My niece was 5’ 10” in HS and the tallest of her group. It surely didn’t stop her from wearing 4 inch heels and being a teen. People are being observant and don’t have anything else to say which is why they make the height comment. I come from a family of tall people and some with red hair (I’m neither, though). It annoys my mom (she’s both) but didn’t faze anyone else. There are other things to worry about.

I’m of average-ish heigh (5’3”), with brown hair and brown eyes. I’ve always been considered attractive enough (if not “cute”), and I’ve always envied the tall girls. I feel like a child in heels - they look tall and elegant. I’ve always loved red hair...mind looks plain.

We always feel sensitive about the way we look, mostly because everyone else is different. It’s part of realizing the truths in life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My 13 yr old DS in the 5th percentile for height wouldn't mind this "problem" one bit.

Yes, as others have said, a boy being called tall is a huge compliment and a plus. There have been studies done that show tall men definitely have advantages in life.

My DS was also around the 5% for height when he was 13/14 and the comments were a nightmare. OP you should get down on your hands and knees and thank God your son is tall. The ridicule my son received was terrible.

[Anonymous]

What a mysoginistic thread! My DD is 5’’10 and dying to get to 6’0. What is wrong with being a tall girl?? Nothing!! It’s awesome. My DD is also smart and gorgeous and a great athlete and the world is at her feet. Quit being such misogynistic a$$hats.

[Anonymous]

Relax. People are just making conversation.

[Anonymous]

My son is very tall and age 14. It is kinda weird when much older girls try and flirt with him.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Oh please. Tall men have way more advantages than short ones. Cry me a river.

Short person who would delighted with the height. All adolescents can be finicky.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m sympathetic to OP. Teens and tweens are often sensitive about anything that makes them different and body changes are really sensitive. Most adult women love to have a nice rack but most 13 year old girls are pretty uncomfortable with it! Just don’t comment on kids’ looks unless you know them super well.

Looks like you and I are the only ones not coming here to rip OP up, PP.

It's interesting to see these posters so invested in insisting their kids just love being singled out as tall. OK, great for them, but these parents are assuming that their own kids' being OK with comments means that ALL teens do -- or should -- feel the same way. My friend's two exceptionally tall teen sons would beg to differ, as they're both sick of comments on their height. It amazes them that boring, obvious comments on height are the best that supposedly sensible adults can do when making small talk. One of them confided to his mom that he was hating being asked over and over year after year by strangers if he plays basketball (no, and zero interest) when no one ever asks if he has other hobbies (he's a terrific musician). Of course some adults just see the height and burst out about it, but shouldn't people do better at small talk? I can see why teens would feel frustrated

As for OP supposedly MAKING her son embarrassed about his height or transferring her own past experiences onto him etc.--you have no idea if that's what's going on. She said she'd disliked comments about her height as a teen. That doesn't automatically translate into her repressing her poor son who's secretly so proud to have adults blather at him about his appearance.

I'd wager that OP posted after yet another unthinking comment to her son that she knows irritated him. prompted him to say he's so tired of being seen only as the tall kid. So, OP, am I right?

[Anonymous]

I hate these stupid PSAs. OP, if this bothers you, grow a pair and say to the actual offenders, "we prefer not to talk about Bobby's height - let's focus on something more interesting, he is doing great at soccer this year!"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Or any other adolescent whose physical appearance falls outside the “norm”

Yes my son is tall. He is 4 inches taller than the average man. He is quite aware that he is tall. He is just 14 yrs old. It’s an age that comes with a lot of self consciousness- even awkwardness. Don’t you think It would be so much more polite to say “wow you look great!” (He does) or “nice shirt” or “I haven’t seen you in a while- you look great! Rather than OHMYGODYOU ARE SOOOOOOO TALL!!!!!

He knows he is tall. He has heard it his entire life. Make a tiny effort, please! Do you think you are the only person to notice that he is tall? That’s the way you sound! Would you comment on any other physical feature? Probably not! So why is this one ok? Believe me- you are not helping anything or anyone with that comment!!

Signed, his mom, and a woman who went through the SAME THING!

I don’t think this is offensive at all. My 13 year old kid has a full mustache and will probably have a slight beard by the time he reach 15 yoa. He’s only 5’10” and not the 6’1” like some of the other posters’ sons, but I still have to warn the 18 and 19year old girls away. Your son will be fine OP. Most likely, he is enjoying the attention more than you think.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My 13 yr old DS in the 5th percentile for height wouldn't mind this "problem" one bit.

Yes, as others have said, a boy being called tall is a huge compliment and a plus. There have been studies done that show tall men definitely have advantages in life.

My DS was also around the 5% for height when he was 13/14 and the comments were a nightmare. OP you should get down on your hands and knees and thank God your son is tall. The ridicule my son received was terrible.

+1. My 14 yo DS is 10% for height and doesn’t just get comments, but constant teasing from classmates. He’d love to trade place’s with OP’s son.

My friend’s son was born without a hand. Imagine how many times he has to explain *that*.

[Anonymous]

My son loves it every time someone comments on how tall he is. He works really hard at school and has some learning disabilities so it's rare he gets a compliment there. He plays sports, but is not very coordinated, so not much there. Tall is his thing. He gets to stand out. He beams with pride. Please, comment on how tall my son is!

[Anonymous]

He needs to man up.

Everyone tells my dd she’s so thin. And she is, but she doesn’t want to talk about her digestive disorder so she just shrugs it off.

Everything isn’t a slight.
People just call it like they see it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Deal. If you won't mention my kids' red hair, I won't mention your kids' height

Np: Amen! - mother of a ginger

I had no idea this upset people. DC has a friend whose siblings and mom have beautiful red hair! I've commented on that to the mom. I genuinely think it's a stunningly beautiful color. I had no idea I was being offensive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Deal. If you won't mention my kids' red hair, I won't mention your kids' height

Np: Amen! - mother of a ginger

I had no idea this upset people. DC has a friend whose siblings and mom have beautiful red hair! I've commented on that to the mom. I genuinely think it's a stunningly beautiful color. I had no idea I was being offensive.

It isn't offensive exactly, its just boring. People get tired of hearing the same thing over and over.