My 10 year old son is small. Since kindergarten, he has been the oldest and the smallest in his class.
One of the reasons that we chose a small, private school is because, for the most part, everyone knows each other. The parents understand that my son is not a typical child and many of them have discussed his differences with their own children. It has created an atmosphere where my son is comfortable and where the kids are, mostly, kind to him. (Note to the three boys who make fun of my child: You’re going to want to knock that off, m’kay?)
Each year we have an influx of families who have never met my son and some of them are surprised when they find out he is 10 years old. Of course, adults do a much better job of hiding their shock than kids do and it isn’t uncommon for a new student to ask my boy how old he is and upon hearing the answer to say, “Wow. You’re little for 10!”
Just two ten year old friends, kickin’ it.
I recently overheard a boy say this to him, so the other night I casually mentioned it while making dinner. I picked up his 48 pound frame, placed him on the kitchen counter and said, “I know kids sometimes tell you how small you are. What do you say to them?”
He replied, “Well sometimes I say, ‘I know I’m small. People come in all different shapes and sizes.'”
I went on with my cucumber cutting and nodded. “Good answer.”
He continued, “And, sometimes I tell them that I really like being short because when I walk along the creek with Daddy, I don’t have to duck when we go under the little bridges.”
For that, my boy got a high-five. What he lacks in size, he makes up for in logic.
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Jen Correa @ Mom's Gotta Run
I’ll take small any day! Kids have the best answers!
Melisa
Smart AND funny. Ladykiller.
Sheila Keating Schuler
my 15 1/2 year old son is also small, He is barley 5 foot now that he grew 2 inches in the last 6 months! I tottaly understand. He was the skinniest to untill he hit 13! We went to a cabin this winter and he was the first to take a shower he cam out and said to me. ” due to my height ADVANTAGE I had a great shower, but you and David (my hubby) and Chace (he 13 year old much taller step brother) are screwed!” I was dying laughing when I went in to take my shower and the shower head hit the middle of my chest not the top of my head! lol his height advantage…love it…and love me a short boy, short girls need em! God Bless them both! (BTW: aj Was a a boys size 6-8 at age 10!)
Joni
That’s the Adam I know and love!!!
Vicki
Love it! Your kid is the best kind of funny!!
Mom Off Meth
Kids are awesome. His answers are great. Thanks for sharing. Confidence is so much of the battle.
Mama D
What an awesome kid. And fantastic that he is in a school where the kids are generally kind and supportive. As a proud mama bear of a ‘different’ son myself, I am right there with you in wanting to call off the twerps who aren’t kind (and also the parents who let them be unkind!)
Angie [A Whole Lot of Nothing]
He obviously gets his smarts from you.
tracey
Benefits to all shapes and sizes, too. My daughter is the tallest, by far, over a lot of her peers and we have the same convo only in reverse.
Patty
The best gifts come in small packages. I heart his logic so much! 🙂
Shannon
Hi, Mamo. Nice to meet you. I can relate to this post but, like Tracy, in reverse. My son is in seventh grade, weighs 160 lbs and already has to shave. When people first meet him and find out how old he is, they often assume that he is stupid and has been held back multiple grades. And it’s not usually the kids who think this, but the adults. Wonderful comes in all sizes -small, medium, or large!
K A B L O O E Y
That’s a smart, cool boy. And you’re a cool cucumber of a mom. I always have trouble having these conversations with my daughter because she either perceives me as being critical of her (so not true), or she shuts down. I wish we could more easily talk about her feelings, but that’s not where she is right now.
AlisonH
Well done. I’m sitting here amazed and gratified, having been the third-shortest kid in my grade all through elementary school, though I eventually got to 5’5″. I was teased about it and I don’t think I handled it particularly well.
‘Sokay, I’m the one that ended up with the 6’9″ son–an inch taller than my husband, even.
Denise
Love it!!!!
Tara R.
He definitely has a quick wit.
Jamie@southmainmuse
I think I got interrupted earlier trying to comment so it this is a repeat – sorry. My daughter is very small and says that kids tease her about it. We talk about how kids (and people) somehow categorize people. Short, tall, fat, too thin, geeky, etc. I was always teased for being tall. Our resolution is that everyone is teased about something and remember how it feels before we speak off the top of our head. And I think you have an extraordinary young guy.
Mare
So sweet. Your son seems confident, despite his lack of stature. What a wise young man. So glad he’s in a good school with families who appreciate him. You’re a good mom.
Farmgirl Susan
I love it. If only all kids (especially the mean ones) could understand that simple fact – that people come in all different shapes and sizes. What a wise and wonderful soul. He has already figured out something that many people never do. Thank you for sharing him with us.
Arnebya
I love his answers. Congratulate yourself for instilling in him confidence and pride in himself. If only some adults could take a cue.
Understanding mom
I understand what you are dealing with. My son was the smallest boy in his class for most of his school years. I was a public school teacher so my son went to public school, often with me. I heard everything that went on. I wanted to cry and explain to these hard heads that not every one is the same. I prayed every night that he would grow – and grow tall into a godly man. He was always on the front row for choir concerts, etc. He would often be asked in restaurants if he wanted the kids’ menu! When he was a junior in high school (16 years old!)he began to grow…and grow…and grow. He is now 5’9″. He often talks about the things that were said and I still find myself crying about it and wishing I could have spared him the pain but he tells me that he’s ok with it. It has helped him to be more caring and understanding of others around him. Our society can be cruel but we can only pray that our son’s precious hearts will become stronger and more understanding of others in need.
Rumour Miller
Smart boy!
meleahrebeccah
I loved his answer!!