Anonymous wrote:Try having a son who is the same size in HS. When I was in HS, the petite girls were quite popular.

that was then. This is now. Currently it us all about boobs and bootie--especially bootie. I am currently dealing with these issues with my petite, perfectly proportioned teen. Ow everyone seems too want a big ass...

Cognitive behavior therapy from a clinical psychologist.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What does being adopted have to do with it?

OP: she is dealing with some issues about this and her thoughts about being petite are exacerbating the situation.

Is she from an ethnic group where women tend to be petite? Talk to her about genetics in age-appropriate terms.

Tell her she's perfect the way she is.

Show her examples of women of different sizes and races that achieved big goals through history, teach her it's her heart and mind that will carry her through life, not her physical appearance.

And if she's worried about getting a boyfriend, tell her that there are men who are attracted to petite women, and that basic compatibility is the fundament of a relationship anyway, not looks.

Try having a son who is the same size in HS. When I was in HS, the petite girls were quite popular.

Anonymous wrote:I'm about her size. She needs to find store with petite sections that she likes immediately! Or online stores where she can order 600$ worth of stuff, and return what she doesn't like. Finding clothing in your size makes you feel sooooo much less like a freak! It's really important, as vain as it sounds. Does she also have tiny feet? Same goes for shoes. And also lingerie that fits! There a great store in silver spring for small bra sizes.

what store?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What does being adopted have to do with it?

OP: she is dealing with some issues about this and her thoughts about being petite are exacerbating the situation.

How?

Most teen girls have body image issues. I have no suggestions. Only my DD, 5'4", 120 lbs, thinks she is fat.

I'm about her size. She needs to find store with petite sections that she likes immediately! Or online stores where she can order 600$ worth of stuff, and return what she doesn't like. Finding clothing in your size makes you feel sooooo much less like a freak! It's really important, as vain as it sounds. Does she also have tiny feet? Same goes for shoes. And also lingerie that fits! There a great store in silver spring for small bra sizes.

I was exactly that size in HS, probably even lighter -- about 90lbs? I felt the same way for a really long time. And the weird thing was, I had several guys like me. It was all in my head. The media doesn't help. I see only tall, leggy women in the media who are deemed "beautiful".

I'm gonna say maybe therapy. I assume she knows she's adopted. Maybe the therapy will be good for her in other areas of her life, too. She needs confidence, which I didn't have in HS, at least not confidence as a woman.

Tell her to not to wear big bulky clothes. They make you look smaller. Cut your hair short; it makes you look taller. Wear shorter skirts, shorts. Not butt cheeks exposing short, but not long skirts and shorts (below knees). I know as a dad you may not like that.

I'm actually struggling with this now with my DS, who unfortunately, takes after me. I told my DS that there is nothing he can do about his height, so concentrate on things about you that you can improve -- academics, sports, being a good friend.

I'm in my mid 40's now. I can say the one positive about being petite is that people think I'm much younger than I am. I can also still shop in the Jr. section where the clothes are a bit cheaper.

I feel for your DD. Tell her she's not alone. Let her read this post.

I understand, OP. All throughout my life I have been thought much younger than I actually was, due to size and also to a part-Asian youthful-looking face.

I can tell you from personal experience that looking young hurts me professionally. At some point, it will probably protect me from ageism in the workplace, but that's not exactly comforting right now.

There was also the dating thing - no one my age was interested, thinking I was underage.

Your daughter will have to find strength within herself to develop confidence and love herself for who she is. Is she athletic? If she is fine-boned she will also have to watch out for osteoporosis. Lots of vitamin D.

Anonymous wrote:What does being adopted have to do with it?

OP: she is dealing with some issues about this and her thoughts about being petite are exacerbating the situation.

What does her adoption have to do with it? I could see it if the women in your family were tall and she felt like her height made her feel different from the rest of the family, but otherwise I don't get it.

What does being adopted have to do with it?

She's perfect just the way she is.

My daughter is entering her senior year of HS. She is about 5'0 and 95lbs. In other words, Olympic gymnast size. My wife is 5'1'and my sister is about 5'05'0 so although my daughter is adopted, she is not from a family of tall women to begin with.

The issue is, she feels badly about being petite, especially from the perspective of not feeling womanly. Any thoughts on how to address this?