Puberty at different ages for identical twins? Holy Crap. I've got two hitting puberty, Kate and Matt, but not Thomas who now is 25lbs lighter and 3 inches shorter than Matt and Kate. He hasn't asked why or indicated that it bothers him, but just in case.... I thought I would ask. If it had just been Kate, the explanation is simple most girls hit puberty sooner than boys.

MTM - mom to Michael(84),Stephan(85), Thomas, Matthew and Kathryn - born 12/27/99 at 32w 0 days

At their age, they are old enough to understand the truth. Puberty DOES hit people at different ages. Take a peak at any junior high. There are kids that look so much older (taller, physically maturing) and those that still look like they are in elementary school. Ditto for high school, especially boys. There are freshman that look like they belong in elementary school. Wait a summer or two and they are more like their peers. There is no predicting.

From a medical standpoint, you can get a wrist xray to see how the growth plates are growing. Some kids are late bloomers. My BFF's husband was 5'6" at high school graduation. He grew a bunch in college and is now 6'1".

With my boys, I stressed that everyone is different. Being fraternal triplets is the same as just brothers. They are not the same. My "little" guy has been a smidge smaller since birth. But his personality is HUGE. Although they are 14 now, he's still a 1/4" smaller than one of the triplets but he's 1/2" taller than his oldest singleton brother.

There are pros and cons for being the tallest and shortest. Some sports are better for one than the other. Brains are not determined by your height.

(HUGS) Dealing with hormonal teenagers isn't easy!

Sharon
14 year old b/b/b + 18 year old son

Yup, I agree with Sharon. They have to realize that they are individuals. Not everything in life will always be the same for them.

They will be fine. I always had one who lagged behind. They would go to the doctor for their regular physicals and come home and compare all the results. They certainly never cared. They just did it for fun. Even as old as they are today, they will compare physical things about one another. NEVER is it a competition. Just a "huh". I think they enjoy having something to compare to.

mom to:
Ryan 32 The Lawyer
Jason 30 The Chief Meteorologist
Chris 30 The College Student
Tim 30 The college grad

I love hearing their versions of their childhood memories!!

Ruth,

Ironic timing, as this has been a topic of conversation lately. One of my girls is much curvier than her id sis. She looks about 2 years older right now. We think it's because the smaller girl is a high level gymnast whose body doesn't have time to grow yet.
Our boy hasn't began puberty yet, but he's always been tall, so he is the same height/weight as the 'biggest' sister (who is still small by normal standards).

How have you been? It's been a couple years since I've spent any time on TC.

Tracey, busy mom to:
Michael (16)
Francesca (15)
Matt, Lexi, Gabi (13)
AFS exchange student Alice (17)

Thanks ya'll. I'll just let it be. He doesn't care.. yet.

MTM - mom to Michael(84),Stephan(85), Thomas, Matthew and Kathryn - born 12/27/99 at 32w 0 days

Wow Tracey! Haven't seen you around in a really long time! But then again, I'm not on TC very often anymore either... just now and then looking for advice from the BTDT crowd.

I would think it might be a bigger issue for girls than boys.. boys just seem to care less about certain things.

MTM - mom to Michael(84),Stephan(85), Thomas, Matthew and Kathryn - born 12/27/99 at 32w 0 days