For us, my DS was a late bloomer in a physical sense. He had delayed puberty, which means he was over 14 years old.

Anonymous wrote:Late bloomer is physical.

Moms that use for social or menta, usually have introverted stunted kids that they are proud of.

https://www.deseret.com/2014/11/10/20552385/cool-kids-may-not-turn-out-so-hot-study-shows/

Late bloomer is physical.

Moms that use for social or menta, usually have introverted stunted kids that they are proud of.

Anonymous wrote:I think of it as only physical development. A kid who has a growth spurt and other signs of physical maturity much later than peers.

+1

Agree with 9:06 that is depends on the context. Sometimes it’s physical and sometimes it’s emotional/social.

I think of it as only physical development. A kid who has a growth spurt and other signs of physical maturity much later than peers.

Anonymous wrote:I am not sure it's an applicable term right now when a lot of kids became behind in maturing at the rate we were used to them maturing due to Covid. I work at a place with HS interns and the 12th grade boy talks with me a lot about his friend stuff and college stuff, and he's at about a 9th grade level. He's a great kid and he'll be fine, but kids are just behind. If everyone's blooming late, then they're not late, right?

Covid did not stop kids from maturing.

It depends entirely on context - can refer to physical development, emotional maturity, social activity, or just taking a while to find your stride in school or even work. Somebody who was slow to learn to read could be called a late bloomer in a conversation about reading, for example.

On DCUM, I think it's mostly used in the social context, to mean kid is interested more in kid things than teen/adult things.

Anonymous wrote:I know a girl/woman who just finished her college freshman year. She played with dolls ALL through HS. I don't believe she has ever dated. She's a perfectly nice person, but it seems, socially stunted.

WTF?!

I know a girl/woman who just finished her college freshman year. She played with dolls ALL through HS. I don't believe she has ever dated. She's a perfectly nice person, but it seems, socially stunted.

I understand and refer to it as a child (usually a boy) who is entering puberty later than his peers. Mainly from a physical perspective (growth spurt, muscular development), but also could be some socially and emotionally. I hadn’t considered a romantic portion or acting on romantic feelings.

I am not sure it's an applicable term right now when a lot of kids became behind in maturing at the rate we were used to them maturing due to Covid. I work at a place with HS interns and the 12th grade boy talks with me a lot about his friend stuff and college stuff, and he's at about a 9th grade level. He's a great kid and he'll be fine, but kids are just behind. If everyone's blooming late, then they're not late, right?

People throw this term around a lot here. I've always thought a late bloomer was someone who "bloomed" later than the rest of the bunch, as in they hit puberty later or matured emotionally and socially later. For example, some kids don't become interested sexually or romantically with anyone until after most of their peers.

But some people here use it to mean that a teen has hit puberty and developed a sexual/romantic interest in others, but for a variety of reasons (insufficient social skills caused by COVID, religious teachings, unattractiveness, etc...) is unable to act on their physical and emotional urges and engage with the targets of their affection.

What does DCUM think it means?