Re: Re: How to handle comments about size?(Looking back, and now)

[Guest guest]

Dear and group:

The question asked about how to handle comments about size really brings back

memories, as well as how I now at age 28 deal with the same comments and

questions.

I remember being about 4 yrs. old and in the grocery store with my mother when a

middle aged woman asked my mom how old I was. At that moment I recalled hearing

the same question lots of time, so I guess I decided to reply myself ( not

giving my mom the chance). The lady was talking very " baby talkish " to me. I

stated to her my full name and that I was 4 yrs. old, quickly followed by a " HOW

OLD ARE YOU? " I remember to this day the puzzled look on her face and the

giggles that came from my mother. From that day on my mom let me do the

answering.

Today at age 28 I (depending on how I dress, or do my hair and make-up) could

pass for middle-school to high-school age. I find myself responding very

similarly now as I did when I was four ( depending on how much info. I feel

necessary to offer). If it is a child asking me I tell them my age, and when

they ask why I am so small, I say to them because this is how God made me, just

as he made you with " red hair " or what ever special thing I notice about them.

An answer like that seems to satisfy a child.It also helps to teach other

children compassion of differences realizing that regardless of RSS or not

EVERYONE has special differences. With adults who say things to me like " oh

your so tiny and cute " , or " my goodness you can't be 28 " , I say to them " Thank

you, when I'm 40 my youthfullness will pay off!! I find that working in my

chosen professional field (child psychology) it is easy to gain the respect that

I deserve at age 28 as soon as I give opportunity for others to know

me a bit and to understand that I am an adult. I think it's a wonderful idea

to begin empowering your children at a very young age to help them realize that

regardless of their age and size they deserve RESPECT.

There will always be " those " persons out there who merely ask the age/size

question to be rude or nosey.(it's easy to spot those people) My answers to

them as usually very brief hopefully letting them know that they've overstepped

what I feel is appropriate.

Take Care!!

RSS-- AGE 28

Graham wrote:

It reealy bugs me when complete strangers ask how old Mercedes is. At the

grocery store,

one of the clerks asked what year she was born. I started to tell her but

stoped, and ended up saying 1990!

Audra wrote:

I would love to get more input on this. I find it very annoying and though I

know these people aren't trying to be rude, it really bothers me. My son is 20

months and about 19 pounds (I hope). People are amazed that he can walk, run,

do all the things kids his age do, but I dread the attention because I know

they'll ask his age and follow up with a comment on his size. Please let me

know how you deal with this!

Audra, mom to Quinn, possible RSS

Marcy Conley wrote:

Kim,

Oh my that had to be the funniest answer I' ve heard. I would of loved to see

her expression. Good for you.

na's mom

Kacey171 wrote:

Hi ,

Unfortunately there are always going to be ignorant people in the world who tend

to stick

their foot in their mouth. I didn't know my son had RSS until he was older, but

he was also

a preemie. Sometimes I got tired of explaining him to others & answering all

sorts of

questions. When was a year old, he weighed 8 lbs. One time when I was

tired of

explaining why he was so small, when another patient in a doctor's office asked

me how

old he was, I said 2 weeks old. Then, a few minutes later, I took some colored

blocks out

& asked him to hand me various colors. You should have seen the look on the

woman's

face. I thought she was going to pass out! It was so funny!

Kim C.

> How do you handle peoples comments about size/stature? Today at a

> couple of baby/toddler groups, i was talking to other mums, who when

> told how old he was (nearly 7mths) first assumed he was premature, i

> then got the comments of 'never mind he'll catch-up' and 'they all

> even out in the end'. I had to explain he has a growth disorder and

> he will always be small, but TBH i don't always feel comfortable

> explaining details to strangers.

>

> Another one I got a couple of times today eas about 'how lucky i was

> to still have a little baby as they grow up so fast' I know they

> mean well, but i felt a bit down afterwards, being reminded my child

> is 'different'

>

> on the other hand, he is always being complimented on how cute and

> smiley he is !

>

> i'm still new to this and not sure what to do. Apologies if it

> sounds like a whinge1

>

> T

> (Shar 3 Non-RSS, Stirling 7mths RSS)

---------------------------------