Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Instead of convincing her about her height, I'd emphasize what a waste of time it is to wish things were different about something we can not change. Like wishing for a different eye color, or smaller feet. You can't stop the thought, but you shouldn't focus on entertaining it. You focus on accepting it and spending your time on more productive things. Does she want to waste her life wishing she was shorter? It will not change.
So. Help her start to focus on becoming who she wants, without changing her height. It is very hard. Teenage years are rough when you don't physically fit in. But life is long and the sooner she makes her peace with her height, the happier her long life will be.
This. I would be more matter of fact about this and avoid indulging much hand wringing about it. She's tall and there's nothing that can be done about it. What's more, being tall is not a disability, so she may not like it, but her tallness doesn't merit much sympathy. So she can spend her time whining about something silly that she can't change, or she can spend her time doing something more productive. And I would put it just about that plainly to her.
In my experience, spending a lot of time talking about these things, trying to convince a kid that they are wrong, just makes them obsess more.
Jesus. Start mentally preparing for your adult kids to go no contact someday.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I’m 5’10 and I hated towering over everyone as a teenager. I was so self conscious of it. I was very thin but I also felt like an overweight giant next to short petite friends.
There really isn’t much you can do. Eventually she’ll feel ok with her height but as a teenager it really is awkward to stand out from your peers so much. Just validate her feelings.
I am 5’11 and so sick of this topic of conversation. Of my mother worrying about my height growing up, about having to wear flats at my wedding, worrying about being “too intimidating” in meetings or “ not feminine enough” for insecure men. Of finding pants and sleeves that fit. Of people saying “I wish I were your height” or “take it as a compliment” when you just want to melt into the wallpaper. The best thing you can do for your daughter is to tell her the truth - she is beautiful and tall and maybe tomboyish or maybe feminine and or all of the above and tall. If she learns early on to make it a non issue she will be better off because it is ALWAYS present and does indeed make her different. But everyone has their cross to bear and comparatively speaking it could be way worse.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Instead of convincing her about her height, I'd emphasize what a waste of time it is to wish things were different about something we can not change. Like wishing for a different eye color, or smaller feet. You can't stop the thought, but you shouldn't focus on entertaining it. You focus on accepting it and spending your time on more productive things. Does she want to waste her life wishing she was shorter? It will not change.
So. Help her start to focus on becoming who she wants, without changing her height. It is very hard. Teenage years are rough when you don't physically fit in. But life is long and the sooner she makes her peace with her height, the happier her long life will be.
This. I would be more matter of fact about this and avoid indulging much hand wringing about it. She's tall and there's nothing that can be done about it. What's more, being tall is not a disability, so she may not like it, but her tallness doesn't merit much sympathy. So she can spend her time whining about something silly that she can't change, or she can spend her time doing something more productive. And I would put it just about that plainly to her.
In my experience, spending a lot of time talking about these things, trying to convince a kid that they are wrong, just makes them obsess more.
Anonymous wrote:She’s not your baby girl you can start by treating her like an adult.
Anonymous wrote:I’m 5’10 and I hated towering over everyone as a teenager. I was so self conscious of it. I was very thin but I also felt like an overweight giant next to short petite friends.
There really isn’t much you can do. Eventually she’ll feel ok with her height but as a teenager it really is awkward to stand out from your peers so much. Just validate her feelings.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I am 53 years old and am 5'11". I love my height, but I admit that I had several things that went in my favor:
- I never had a big growth spurt, so I wasn't taller than all of the boys in middle school and High school. I just grew slowly and steadily through age 19.
- I have a very slender build, and I have maintained that slender build throughout the years. The world likes tall, slender women (and is sometimes very hard on tall, overweight women).
I would suggest a few things for your daughter:
- She needs to know her exact height. Is she 5'11" or 6'1" or in between. It isn't hard... stand up straight against a wall, ruler on head, mark spot, and use a measuring tape. Remeasure in several spots until you come to consensus. I have had so many men over the years come up and say something slightly critical like "wow, you're too tall, you must be over 6'4 because I'm 6'1"." I knew my exact height so I could smile and say "nope, I'm only 5'11"" and feel very confident that I had the upper hand. It seems like such a minor thing, but I guarantee that it will make her feel better to know.
- Does she have any interest in playing sports. If so, that is a huge, huge confidence booster. Plus, it's a great way to meet people who value height, which will be helpful to her mindset.
Good luck to her.
Wow this happens so much from insecure men who have lied about their height their whole lives. I feel seen. Some men will insist too. Insane.
Anonymous wrote:I’m tall. I didn’t date in middle school, but men have LOVED dating me in adulthood. Especially men who minded that they were just under 6’. They knew our potential babies would be over that ( unfair) benchmark. Society is really, really rough on men’s height.
I’d see what you can to do to take away all social media. I’m sure that’s a huge factor. Also, once she’s done growing, have a few things tailored. There are stores in Etsy that will take your measurements and make a custom dress or whatever. She’ll feel more confident if her clothes look the way everyone else’s do. I recently bought a custom linen Tshirt, and it’s long enough, which is hard to find right now.