1 of 1

Write now Article Tools

Two of my three children are almost fully grown and the heights that were predicted for them have proven accurate. As for the third, it appears he may surpass his projected height. Then again, maybe he's going to be quick to the finish line and then stay put. It's impossible to say.

I'm 5'7 1/2 inches tall. Their father is 5'11 1/2 inches tall. At birth, both of our boys were 22 inches long while our daughter was 19 inches long. Those three inches made a huge difference. She actually fit in newborn clothes. Her older brother didn't. He couldn't stretch out his legs when we tried to put him in this most adorable outfit that was clearly marked "Newborn - up to 10 pounds". Seeing as he was over ten pounds, it makes sense. I just didn't expect to have a baby that big...plus I was highly disappointed not to be taking him home in the outfit I had specially chosen for his first big outing. Matter-of-fact, I had to get his father to run and buy something else for him lest we take him home in a t-shirt. Thinking back, I was upset over nothing. I don't even remember what was so great about the outfit I'd chosen. It would have been spit up on within ten seconds anyway.

When my oldest son reached two years of age, the pediatrician said as a "rough estimate" I could double his height to find out how tall he'd be full grown. I stood there looking at this small child (well...he seemed small to me) and tried to visualize doubling his height. Didn't seem very tall. Then she measured him and said he was thirty-eight inches tall.

This is where I should mention that my brain is no calculator. I'm standing in front of the pediatrician trying my best to double thirty-eight inches and it's not coming to me. Let's see, thirty-eight plus thirty-eight...ok, how about thirty-five plus thirty-five...that's seventy...plus...uhm...three, no six. Somebody just please tell me what that equals in feet and inches. I could be here all day!

"Wow!" She said, "He's going to be around 6'4"."

What?! Six foot four inches. That's pretty up there. Hmmmm. Then of course I immediately tried to think of anyone I know who is that tall so that I can imagine what it's like to look at my child as a grown man. No one came to mind because not a soul in either family is taller than six foot two.

My oldest son is now nineteen and he's 6'3 1/2" tall. We tell him all the time that he stunted his growth as a teenager because he smoked. He just rolls his eyes. But then that's what teenagers do when you say something that

• 1
• 2
• next page >>

Add your voice

Know something about Can you predict your child's future height??
We want to hear your view. Write now!