My son had just celebrated his 5th birthday—a milestone he truly grasped, filled with excitement about being a “big boy” now. I often wish I could capture that same enthusiasm for my own age.
“Am I a big boy now, Mommy?” he eagerly asked.
“Yes, sweetheart. You are indeed big,” I reassured him.
A few days later, while we were out running errands, a woman in the deli smiled at us and asked how old he was.
“I’m 5!” he announced proudly, in that special way only a newly turned 5-year-old can.
The woman looked at me curiously. “Is he really 5?” she inquired. I nodded, not thinking much of it. Kids often have their quirks; my daughter once insisted she was 27.
“Wow, he’s so tiny!” she exclaimed while playfully ruffling his hair. “Doesn’t your mommy feed you enough?” Her words, although light-hearted, stung.
Yes, I’m aware my child is small. I don’t think the woman intended to be rude or question my parenting; she was merely stating the obvious.
We finished our shopping, but my son was unusually quiet, no longer greeting passersby with his usual cheerful “Hi, what’s your name?” or advocating for a jumbo box of Spiderman fruit snacks.
“What’s wrong, buddy?” I asked.
“Mommy, you said I was big,” he responded, a hint of disappointment in his voice.
He had every right to feel that way. I had spent the week emphasizing how grown-up he was, only to have that confidence shaken by a stranger’s careless comment.
At 5 years old, he’s the size of a tall 2-year-old—size 2T pants fit well at the waist but are a bit short. Perhaps he’s more akin to a short 3-year-old, but you get the idea: he’s little.
Despite his size, he is a healthy child. He faced challenges from the start, born with complex digestive issues and orphaned shortly after birth. His early medical care and nutrition were subpar. We adopted him when he was just over 3 years old, and he was underweight and malnourished. For the past two years, I’ve focused on ensuring he has a full belly to help him catch up.
He may be small, but I can’t help but wonder about the reasons behind it. Lack of care during crucial developmental years? Genetics? Who knows? Maybe he’ll have a growth spurt soon and tower over his classmates.
Although he doesn’t appear on the standard growth charts for his age, he’s doing just fine. I spent his first few months at home adding heavy cream and butter to his meals to boost calorie intake while worrying about his nutrition. Despite his rough start, my son is thriving and healthy, though still petite.
I find myself cringing internally when someone asks about his age, as responses like “Wow, really? He’s such a little guy” or “I thought he was younger” become harder to hear as he grows older. I continue to tell him he’s a big boy because that’s what mothers do, yet I increasingly find myself giving pep talks about differences due to the well-meaning comments of others.
What if my child were overweight? Would people still speak so openly? Would they say things like “What are you feeding him?” or “Wow, that’s a hefty one you’ve got there?” Fat-shaming and body image are pressing issues today.
A quick search online reveals countless articles emphasizing the importance of teaching children that inner qualities matter more than appearance. Yet, it seems acceptable to comment on someone being too thin, while remarks about being overweight are considered impolite. The reality is, comments about anyone’s body—regardless of size—should be avoided.
Yes, I know my son is small, but he’s also strong. He can run, climb, and kick a ball, although he claims picking up his toys is “too hard” and makes him tired. Will he grow to be the tallest kid in his class? Maybe. He’s only 5; so much of his future is unwritten. Whether he becomes a star basketball player or an award-winning jockey, I simply hope for a happy, well-adjusted human being. His potential is not limited by his stature.
So yes, I know my son is small. I’d appreciate it if comments regarding his body—and anyone else’s—could remain unspoken.
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In summary, comments about a child’s size, whether too small or too large, should be avoided. Every child’s journey is unique, and their worth is not defined by physical attributes. It’s essential to focus on their strengths, ensuring they grow into happy, confident individuals.
Keyphrase: My Son’s Size
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