Girls teased for being SUPER TALL

Natcat509

Hi mamas!! I am due with a baby girl this October! I have a 3 yr old son who is already very tall just like his mommy and daddy but he's a boy and always gets compliments on his height. I am 5'11 and my husband is 6'4 so I am sure our daughter is going to be really tall too. My concern is I was picked on thru school because of my height. I was never the dancer or cheerleader but rather the volleyball and softball player. Both boys and girls called me a galoot and an Amazon amongst other things growing up. Kids can be mean sometimes.

Natcat509

My question is, how do you try and instill confidence in our young girls?

Rikki_5

Good question, I can tell you will be a great mom to your daughter because you are thinking of these things now.  I think everyone can be teased for something or the other.  It’s important to teach your own child to realize everyone is different and differences should be celebrated, it’s what makes the world interesting.  It’s strange, I’ve always wanted to be tall with long legs.  I always thought tall girls were beautiful.

  I think by watching your own behaviors girls pick up on that.  Saying negative things about your own body will teach girls to be self-concious about their bodies.  So it’s important to choose your words carefully and teach by example. Tell them how beautiful they are every day, not only physically but on the inside as well.  Tell them they have many talents and nurture their interests and hobbies.  Also, give them reality checks when they see models in magazines make them realize that those images are doctored and even models have flaws.  

Amazing450

Kids will pick on you no matter what. In extremely petite 4'9" and got picked on constantly for it. You can't win.

ashfen426

I'm 5"11 also. I got picked on in school, but it never bothered me too much. I love being tall and if I have a girl I hope she is tall like her mommy my hubby is 6"3, and our 2 year old boys are already super tall, so I'm sure whatever this baby is, it will be long too!

Natcat509

ashfen426 said:

I'm 5"11 also. I got picked on in school, but it never bothered me too much. I love being tall and if I have a girl I hope she is tall like her mommy my hubby is 6"3, and our 2 year old boys are already super tall, so I'm sure whatever this baby is, it will be long too!

You're probably a "thin tall" I am more of the "muscular tall" and still get teased for being big to this day. Luckily it doesn't bother me as much anymore.

FatPony

I think it's important for ALL children to have self confidence, regardless of size. Self confidence is key to your child making the right decisions and having the courage to stand up to peer pressure. I've been 5'10" since I was 12 (seriously), and somehow I developed a good image of myself. I think it was because I'm very athletic and excelled at sports and 'being part of the team'. It definitely helped me growing up, especially with boys. Other girls in my group unfortunately weren't as lucky, and looking back, it horrifies me to remember how they would let guys take advantage of them. 

I think a great way to get your child started on the right path is to get them involved in some activity in which they excel, whether it's sports, music, or art. Developing their abilities and skills in a positive, nurturing way should go a long way towards instilling a self confidence that will last your child a lifetime. At least, it did for me

aah1013

I'm not tall (5'6"), but worry about my daughter being teased for other reasons. I think it's normal to worry about our children fitting in. For me growing up, I went through puberty very early and was called a slut in like 6th grade because I had boobs. It was terrible, but sports really helped me keep my head high. I think if you find something your kids are good at and let them build confidence through whatever it may be, they will have better confidence all around.

I also agree with showing them that you have a good body image yourself. It's something I still struggle with privately, but try to never let my daughter hear me say anything negative about myself.

MelMel92

I'm 5'7", but I have been since I was 12, so I was always a giant, too. Yeah I got picked on all the time, but really, I think I would've been picked on had I been the same height as everyone else. Kids can be so mean to each other, and if they spot one that isnt precisely like them, that tends to be the kid they end up teasing. For me, I was the odd one out for many different reasons. It didnt bother me as much as a kid, but as a teen it was awful. Ended up being so bad I dropped out of middle/highschool (same school for both in NL). For me, the problem was that even though my mom tried everything she could, the school wouldnt listen to any of it. So, if you have the option and it is getting bad, place your child in a school that actively does things to prevent bullying. 

Thats not to say at all that it will be bad, just sharing my personal experience. My mom being so diligent in always being there for me definitely was my saving grace. I wouldnt be the person I am today if it wasnt for her constant support. If I end up being even a quarter the mom that she is, I'll consider it a huge success. Yes my confidence was shot down at school, but she built it right back up at home. Nothing in particular that she did, really. Just a lot of love and a lot of trust that I tried my hardest to actually deserve

Natcat509

I agree

kristanbarker

I am just shy of 5'10 and stuggled being so tall in a small school. I found my confidence when I saw all those tall celebrities (Blake Lively) owning their height. I honestly believe that if you're confident, she will learn to be confident. Wear heals, buy her heals, expose her to the beauty of height!

amberterry87

I too am just over 5'11 and have an aunt who I an amazing 6'3 tall! I loved being tall growing up because everyone in my family was (I'm the shortest so always wanted to be taller haha). Just own your height and explain to your girl that's how God made her. If she sees you being confident about it, she will grow to love her extra inches. There are so many great things about being tall, but either way our appearance is not what makes us who we are. Just love your children (like I'm sure you already do) and love your own self for who you are, and you will raise happy confident kids who can withstand teasing with grace. On a side note, my 1yr old girl is already off the charts with height (over the 150th percentile) and is very lean, I already have a few issues with kids and other mums thinking she is older and should act older. That's about the only problem with having a tall baby. But you just explain they have very tall genes and most people say only nice things

BlueTopazBride

It's not about having the perfect body, or being the right kind of beautiful. It's about liking yourself. Teach your daughter to love the things that make her special and she'll be able to brush off the haters. Don't let her grow up hating something she has no control over. Being tall makes her unique, and that is something to be celebrated.

jennyjd12

Some of my tall girlfriends were made fun of in school and college for being oversized, but they focused on sports and let it roll off their backs.

Natcat509

Sports are great outlets when you're being teased.

mocha4040

I was muscular tall too. Played basketball (center) and volleyball. Got teased in elementary school (most traumatically was for the size of my feet LOL), in middle school I actually learned about the mythical Amazonian women and embraced being called that the rest of my school career. Kids will tease, if not for that then something else. How it's addressed at home will make all the difference. The first time I got teased about my feet, my dad said - "those are basketball feet" and took me outside to teach me free throws. My mom, a shorty, told me how she always wished she was taller when she was younger and how boys develop later than girls and might be jealous that I'm taller than them. The support at home makes all the difference. Put a positive spin on the negativity and show her how she can use her height (if she turns out tall) to her advantage. I haven't felt bad about my height since those days in elementary school - I have so many more positive memories than negative ones.

EvilFiona

I'm 5'1" now but was always the shortest kid in every class I ever had, and I was picked on constantly for it. My best friend, on the other hand, is a "muscular" 6' tall and was always the tallest girl in class. She wasn't picked on because she made it clear from day one that she didn't give two shits about what anyone else thought about her. It worked. Once the other kids realized she wasn't affected by their teasing, they gave up and moved onto a softer target... like me, lol. Anyway, she's going to get picked on for something no matter what. All she can do is have confidence in herself and not let the bullies get an advantage over her. The most important thing in her development will be to have a stable, loving home. I know that if my home had been somewhere I felt safe, the bullying wouldn't have been nearly as difficult.

Natcat509

Thanks for all the advise ladies. I hope calling a women an Amazon takes a different meaning soon!

poupoule

I am 6'1 and my mom was 5'11, she never accepted her size and worried for me. But I loved it, I still laugh about it when people ask me my height every two weeks, and I wear proudly a t shirt with a girafe, her head in the clouds. Which was an insult some kids had tried on me when I was young. There is so many advantages at being tall, I think your kids will be so used to it in your family that it will never bother them. My dad is 6'4 and my brother too. That is our normal. And we are french (everybody is shorter than in the us !)

Natcat509

Good for you! I hope my daughter wears it proud too, but I am sure she will have to take her bruises growing up.