4 10 and a half thread - (aka short people)

[oman]

My daughter, who was always on the zero percentile in growth, is now 17, and she is a great kid, and a cheerleader on a big, horrid 5A Texas school, and she is a bright young kid. Her doctor always said that since her growth parallelled the normal growth chart, we shouldn't do anything.

But she is 4' 10.5" tall and that is pretty much it.

My wife feels like we failed her by not having her take some growth hormones. I pretty much think that 4 10 is absolutely as short as a girl wants to be but that it really doesn't stop her from alot and I save a shitload on groceries.

Kids these days are just huge with big ol' feet and they bump into everything.

The kid get's a bit frustrated but really doesn't seem too bothered by it.

Anyone else have experiences with shortness issues/growth hormones?

(I pretty much am just looking to have some guilt assuaged, but if not, if there are huge numbers of pro-growth hormoners out there, may as well let the new parents know....)

[Crimson Ace]

First off... I'm not a parent, so that's not the angle I'm approacing from.

My wife is only 5'-0" tall. She's a former college soccer player who is now a personal trainer who runs 1/2 marathons and mountain bikes. My wife's height (or lack thereof) has never kept her from doing anything she has wanted to do. She is also an expert level snow skiier and a pretty good scuba diver. I could go on, but I think you get the point.

I've coached countless girls that were the age/size of your daughter. To this day, I've never met one that has let their size be a limitation. Quick story... I coached a girl that was (and still is) 4'-10". Her growth was stunted by a medical condition that almost killed her. When she was 13, she told me she wanted to play college soccer. I explained her options - and then told her to get to work. That girl went on to play DIII soccer and is now a youth club coach. Incidently, she's one of the brightest souls I've ever had the privilege to meet.

I'd wish you luck, but I bet the only thing you might need help with these days is keeping the boys off your front porch! ;)

[Ian Lozada]

Judging by the pictures you've shown us in the proud parent show off thread, she's a lovely young lady. People will notice that long before they notice her height. If she was a boy, it might be different, but she's got nothing to worry about.

[Boundzy]

Sounds like you and your wife are more concerned with this than your daughter. Statistically speaking, we are all outliers on some dimension . . . it's what makes each of us special and unique (in a good way).

You can start the Guilt Assuaging Dance at your leisure. ;)

[flowergirl]

I'm only 5'1. It's certainly never stopped me from doing anything. There were a few girls I went to high school with that were in the 4'9 - 4'11 range, and nothing held them back. They were all pretty athletic as well.
Some people are just short. Go way back in your family (and your wife's) tree.
I had no chance in hell of ever being tall. My mom was 5'2, grandma 5'1, great grandma 4'11...
we're just shrimps. she's a chick. it probably won't bother her in the least. as long as she's healthy, who cares?

[Nacional Tijuana]

Judging by the pictures you've shown us in the proud parent show off thread, she's a lovely young lady. People will notice that long before they notice her height. If she was a boy, it might be different, but she's got nothing to worry about.

Ditto what he said. I always liked short and cute at that age. Not everybody needs to be tall, blonde, and bronzed. And cheer keeps a kid healthy. Good for her to get out there and do that.

If she were to do soccer, I have no clue. I suppose there would be limits, but doesn't everybody fall into a preferred role?

http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showpost.php?p=14624129&postcount=49 Here's almost wishin' I weren't 32 and in Pa. :p

[royalstilton]

I'm 72.5" in height. Many, many, many, many years ago I shared an abode with a woman who was 60.5" in height.

Your daughter is significantly more comely than my former girlfriend, whom I thought very attractive. My guess is that many, many, many men both over and under 70" in height will be more than happy to woo your daughter.

[juanca]

Height is very unimportant.

My Wife just happens to be about 1" taller than me in Shoes. If she wears Heels, shes about 3" Taller than me, and im about average 5"9

Katie holmes is taller than Tom cruise, Angelina Jolie is taller than Brad pitt.

Personally, before i Met my wife, i had allways dated girls no more than 5ft tall. I still think its a Nice Height for girls.

[sj_quakes_fan]

Honestly, these seems almost like a joke.... But I'll pretend you are serious.

I'm 5-3. I always wanted to be 5-2. Then I got older and wanted to be 5-6 at least.

But I never really wasted all that much time thinking about it. So what if I can't reach that item on the top shelf at the supermarket. All the more reason to chat up a helpful (and if I'm lucky, hott) stranger. I've never been able to reach the top shelf in any kitchen I've been in, but so what, that's what chairs are for. I mean really, so what about sums it up....

Success and happiness in life comes from our choices and experiences (and to some extent from the personality we're born with). As long as she doesn't let her height stop her from doing things (and some things she won't be able to do, but she probably won't want to anyway), and as long as she's healthy and happy that's all that matters.

Look, a few months ago I was in a horrible accident that could have removed all my memories or paralyzed me or taken me off this earth. If I had hit my head just a few fractions of an inch in the other direction.... Maybe that's why this seems like such a joke to me. My perspective on what matters is so incredibly different since the accident. Seriously, when I came to I wasn't thinking, "Dang it! My life sucks cuz I'm short!" I was thankful for my 5'3". I was thinking thank goodness I am still on this earth! Make the most of what you HAVE not what you DON'T HAVE!