TOTALLY GEEKED!

Members Login
Username 
 
Password 
    Remember Me  
totallygeeked -> totallygeeked general -> Dear Abby: Tall Teen Girl
Post Info TOPIC: Dear Abby: Tall Teen Girl
Lady Gaga Snerd


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 25897
Date:
Dear Abby: Tall Teen Girl
Permalink  
 

 
 

DEAR ABBY: My 13-year-old granddaughter is 5 feet 9 inches tall. She walks hunched over, and when she stands with a group, she keeps her legs 2 feet apart. She's on a softball team and is always sitting on the ground in the dugout.

She is the tallest one in the seventh grade in her school. Some of her classmates call her the "giant." I've been with her when someone approaches her who hasn't seen her in a while and says, "Wow! You've grown really tall."

She hates school and has no friends. She also happens to be very pretty. She's taller than anyone in the family. What can we do for her? -- GRANDPA IN INDIANA

DEAR GRANDPA: Being perceived as different at your granddaughter's age can be very painful. The best thing you can do for her right now is to be supportive.

Keep telling her that being tall is not only nothing to be ashamed of, but it can be an asset. Encourage her to find activities she is interested in. In addition to softball, she might excel at basketball or volleyball. Remind her that fashion models are tall women, many of whom were teased about their height when they were her age.

Tall women of note: Taylor Swift, Gisele Bundchen, Nicole Kidman, Venus and Serena Williams, Brooke Shields, Geena Davis and Michelle Obama come immediately to mind. First daughter Malia Obama was 5 feet 9 at 13, like your granddaughter. None of them is ashamed of their height; they "own" who they are and carry themselves with pride. Research modeling schools in your area because enrolling your granddaughter in some of the classes may help her to feel less awkward about her height.

 

http://www.uexpress.com/dearabby/2015/3/15/tall-teenager-is-reluctant-to-stand

 



__________________

https://politicsandstuff.proboards.com/
ed11563


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 9186
Date:
Permalink  
 

There might be people who would like to be friends with her, who comment on her height as a way to start a conversation ... which backfires because she takes it as criticism.

I'm certain that there are boys in her school who would be thrilled if she walked up to them and said, "Hi, I'm tall, and you're cute. Want to sit together at lunch?"

 

 



__________________

The Principle of Least Interest: He who cares least about a relationship, controls it.

Always misinterpret when you can.
Bonny22Pye


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 1469
Date:
Permalink  
 

ed11563 wrote:

There might be people who would like to be friends with her, who comment on her height as a way to start a conversation ... which backfires because she takes it as criticism.

I'm certain that there are boys in her school who would be thrilled if she walked up to them and said, "Hi, I'm tall, and you're cute. Want to sit together at lunch?"

 

 

 Actually no.  It's not fun to be tall until college.



__________________
Just suck it up and get on with it.
Lady Gaga Snerd


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 25897
Date:
Permalink  
 

My DD is the tallest. She likes her height.

__________________

https://politicsandstuff.proboards.com/
ed11563


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 9186
Date:
Permalink  
 

Bonny22Pye wrote:
ed11563 wrote:

There might be people who would like to be friends with her, who comment on her height as a way to start a conversation ... which backfires because she takes it as criticism.

I'm certain that there are boys in her school who would be thrilled if she walked up to them and said, "Hi, I'm tall, and you're cute. Want to sit together at lunch?"

 

 

 Actually no.  It's not fun to be tall until college.

"Actually no" to what part of this? 

I'm not saying it has to be fun, I'm saying it doesn't have to be a disaster. And I (and probably most of my 13 y.o. male friends) would have been very happy to be friends with her.

 



__________________

The Principle of Least Interest: He who cares least about a relationship, controls it.

Always misinterpret when you can.
Bonny22Pye


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 1469
Date:
Permalink  
 

ed11563 wrote:
Bonny22Pye wrote:
ed11563 wrote:

There might be people who would like to be friends with her, who comment on her height as a way to start a conversation ... which backfires because she takes it as criticism.

I'm certain that there are boys in her school who would be thrilled if she walked up to them and said, "Hi, I'm tall, and you're cute. Want to sit together at lunch?"

 

 

 Actually no.  It's not fun to be tall until college.

"Actually no" to what part of this? 

I'm not saying it has to be fun, I'm saying it doesn't have to be a disaster. And I (and probably most of my 13 y.o. male friends) would have been very happy to be friends with her.

 

 saying your cute at that age is social suicide.  Unless your into sports being tall is awkward for girls.  Not only are you going through all the normal teen crap you stand out and annoying adults always comment on it.  Finding clothes and shoes is harder too.  Personally when I was that age the best thing that ever happened was my tall Aunt telling me that it gets better as you get older and let me take you shopping.



__________________
Just suck it up and get on with it.
Lady Gaga Snerd


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 25897
Date:
Permalink  
 

Forget "cute". I think Super Model is the word.

__________________

https://politicsandstuff.proboards.com/
lilyofcourse


My spirit animal is a pink flamingo.

Status: Offline
Posts: 38325
Date:
Permalink  
 

I was tall and it didn't bother me.

My daughter's best friend is 6'4". She has never had a problem with it.

I think it all starts with a healthy attitude and strong sense of self from a young age.

What can mom do for her? Keep telling her she is perfect the way she is. That she is beautiful and she is exactly what she should be.

Once the daughter accepts her height and embraces it and stops being self conscious of it, others will stop pointing it out.

"Wow you are tall."
"Yep, my whole life."

And then move on.

__________________

A flock of flirting flamingos is pure, passionate, pink pandemonium-a frenetic flamingle-mangle-a discordant discotheque of delirious dancing, flamboyant feathers, and flamingo lingo.

Charley Harper
Dona Worry Be Happy


Vette's SS!!

Status: Offline
Posts: 2297
Date:
Permalink  
 

Ugh. Being tall young was the worst. Nothing fit, clumsy as all hell, and everyone thought I was in my twenties. Awkward and miserable.
But yes, you get used to it, and it grows on you.

__________________
Momala


Great cook-happy wife-superb fisherman

Status: Offline
Posts: 4846
Date:
Permalink  
 

Either extreme (short or tall) can be awkward during the teen years.

My one suggestion to Grandmother is to help the teen regain her good posture. She'll look less gangly, and people will be able to concentrate on her great smile.

__________________
I love helping people
Bonny22Pye


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 1469
Date:
Permalink  
 

It's still annoying when guys ask me if I play volleyball. I always just say no, were you a horse jockey?

__________________
Just suck it up and get on with it.
ed11563


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 9186
Date:
Permalink  
 

Bonny22Pye wrote:
ed11563 wrote:
Bonny22Pye wrote:
ed11563 wrote:

There might be people who would like to be friends with her, who comment on her height as a way to start a conversation ... which backfires because she takes it as criticism.

I'm certain that there are boys in her school who would be thrilled if she walked up to them and said, "Hi, I'm tall, and you're cute. Want to sit together at lunch?"

 

 

 Actually no.  It's not fun to be tall until college.

"Actually no" to what part of this? 

I'm not saying it has to be fun, I'm saying it doesn't have to be a disaster. And I (and probably most of my 13 y.o. male friends) would have been very happy to be friends with her.

 

 saying your cute at that age is social suicide.  Unless your into sports being tall is awkward for girls.  Not only are you going through all the normal teen crap you stand out and annoying adults always comment on it.  Finding clothes and shoes is harder too.  Personally when I was that age the best thing that ever happened was my tall Aunt telling me that it gets better as you get older and let me take you shopping.

If a tall girl had told me at age 13 that I was cute, and asked if she could sit with me at lunch, I would have been very pleased to accept both the compliment and the company. 

Maybe it's different for girls.

 



__________________

The Principle of Least Interest: He who cares least about a relationship, controls it.

Always misinterpret when you can.
Bonny22Pye


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 1469
Date:
Permalink  
 

ed11563 wrote:
Bonny22Pye wrote:
ed11563 wrote:
Bonny22Pye wrote:
ed11563 wrote:

There might be people who would like to be friends with her, who comment on her height as a way to start a conversation ... which backfires because she takes it as criticism.

I'm certain that there are boys in her school who would be thrilled if she walked up to them and said, "Hi, I'm tall, and you're cute. Want to sit together at lunch?"

 

 

 Actually no.  It's not fun to be tall until college.

"Actually no" to what part of this? 

I'm not saying it has to be fun, I'm saying it doesn't have to be a disaster. And I (and probably most of my 13 y.o. male friends) would have been very happy to be friends with her.

 

 saying your cute at that age is social suicide.  Unless your into sports being tall is awkward for girls.  Not only are you going through all the normal teen crap you stand out and annoying adults always comment on it.  Finding clothes and shoes is harder too.  Personally when I was that age the best thing that ever happened was my tall Aunt telling me that it gets better as you get older and let me take you shopping.

If a tall girl had told me at age 13 that I was cute, and asked if she could sit with me at lunch, I would have been very pleased to accept both the compliment and the company. 

Maybe it's different for girls.

 

 You need to think 2015.  



__________________
Just suck it up and get on with it.
ed11563


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 9186
Date:
Permalink  
 

Bonny22Pye wrote:
ed11563 wrote:
Bonny22Pye wrote:
ed11563 wrote:
Bonny22Pye wrote:
ed11563 wrote:

There might be people who would like to be friends with her, who comment on her height as a way to start a conversation ... which backfires because she takes it as criticism.

I'm certain that there are boys in her school who would be thrilled if she walked up to them and said, "Hi, I'm tall, and you're cute. Want to sit together at lunch?"

 

 

 Actually no.  It's not fun to be tall until college.

"Actually no" to what part of this? 

I'm not saying it has to be fun, I'm saying it doesn't have to be a disaster. And I (and probably most of my 13 y.o. male friends) would have been very happy to be friends with her.

 

 saying your cute at that age is social suicide.  Unless your into sports being tall is awkward for girls.  Not only are you going through all the normal teen crap you stand out and annoying adults always comment on it.  Finding clothes and shoes is harder too.  Personally when I was that age the best thing that ever happened was my tall Aunt telling me that it gets better as you get older and let me take you shopping.

If a tall girl had told me at age 13 that I was cute, and asked if she could sit with me at lunch, I would have been very pleased to accept both the compliment and the company. 

Maybe it's different for girls.

 

 You need to think 2015.  

When I was 18 my cousin Linda fixed me up with a tall girl who was 16, we double dated to a move that was supposed to be followed by dinner. 

Unfortunately, she misjudged her insulin needs, and went into shock at the movie.

I'm not sure if I didn't ask her out again because she was tall (6'2", I'm 5' 7") or because I didn't know how to deal with someone who went into shock.

Maybe I was just being a jerk, and I should have asked her out again?

 



__________________

The Principle of Least Interest: He who cares least about a relationship, controls it.

Always misinterpret when you can.
lilyofcourse


My spirit animal is a pink flamingo.

Status: Offline
Posts: 38325
Date:
Permalink  
 

I was the tallest girl in the school until 8th grade. There was one guy who was the same height then.

In high school, the juniors and seniors were taller. The guys any way. And everyone thought I was a senior. Which was nice cause I never had to deal with that freshman stuff.

I don't know. It just never bothered me.

__________________

A flock of flirting flamingos is pure, passionate, pink pandemonium-a frenetic flamingle-mangle-a discordant discotheque of delirious dancing, flamboyant feathers, and flamingo lingo.

Charley Harper
Bonny22Pye


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 1469
Date:
Permalink  
 

lilyofcourse wrote:

I was the tallest girl in the school until 8th grade. There was one guy who was the same height then.

In high school, the juniors and seniors were taller. The guys any way. And everyone thought I was a senior. Which was nice cause I never had to deal with that freshman stuff.

I don't know. It just never bothered me.

 How tall are you?

i was 5 foot 8 in 8th grade and not into sports.

 



__________________
Just suck it up and get on with it.
lilyofcourse


My spirit animal is a pink flamingo.

Status: Offline
Posts: 38325
Date:
Permalink  
 

I was 5' 9" in 8th grade.

I stayed that until recently.

__________________

A flock of flirting flamingos is pure, passionate, pink pandemonium-a frenetic flamingle-mangle-a discordant discotheque of delirious dancing, flamboyant feathers, and flamingo lingo.

Charley Harper
lilyofcourse


My spirit animal is a pink flamingo.

Status: Offline
Posts: 38325
Date:
Permalink  
 

And yes. I rocked my high heels without shame.

__________________

A flock of flirting flamingos is pure, passionate, pink pandemonium-a frenetic flamingle-mangle-a discordant discotheque of delirious dancing, flamboyant feathers, and flamingo lingo.

Charley Harper
Page 1 of 1  sorted by
 
Quick Reply

Please log in to post quick replies.
totallygeeked -> totallygeeked general -> Dear Abby: Tall Teen Girl


Create your own FREE Forum
Report Abuse 		Powered by ActiveBoard