Connor will be 13 in October. He's about 5'5", 95lbs and wears a sz 10 in men's shoes. All of the sudden he is a complete mess. He broke his foot in Jan. Is constantly tripping/falling all over himself and complains of his ankles hurting. The other day he tripped on a slip n slide and we ended up getting x-rays to rule out another break. Turns out to be a very bad sprain that had him back on crutches (off today, FINALLY!)

This is normal right? :shake: This is the pre-pubecent boy thing? The kid is actually very coordinated and capable, but just goes all bambi every once in a while. If it's normal, how long does it last?

We have him swimming, cycling and working with a wobble board. Not sure what else to do.

Oh man, June tripped and/or fell down THREE times yesterday. She is about the same size as Connor. So funny.

No idea how long it lasts, probably they need to grow into their gigantic feet!

It probably IS the stage of physical development. Hopefully the coordination will get better soon.

Around that age, my oldest ds had his pecs start to develop which was a painful growth stage I had never heard of before. That might be happen to your ds too.

Oh! And let me add that slip n slides are really dangerous for older kids and adults. You can get severly injured in them! People have been paralyzed doing it!

Both my older girls broke their arms at that age. They weren't even rough and tumble kids. Anja, OTH, is a dare devil extrodinaire. I will have to have my own portable ER for her I am certain. :o

I think it is harder for boys in the rapid growth department for the most part as well. I am constantly :drop: when I see that almost literally in the course of a few weeks some of my dd's boy peers would shoot up several inches. Kiah's ex-"boyfriend" we used to tease (not to his face...well not on purpose anyway. We are so mean...) because he was so much shorter than her. (and she is not tall as all) but then he was over here the other day and the boy is taller than her!

I forgot I posted this here, LOL!

but yah. We just bought him new running shoes 3 weeks ago, with a full thumbs length at the end of the big toe. We had him fitted at my favorite running shoe store, so I know we were spot on. Today he was complaining they hurt when he ran and sure enough, his toes are smooshed. :shake: I guess that means he'll probably be in 11's.

Poor guy! That stage is rough on them.

Our son who is 17 did not go through that stage, however our daughter who is nearly 13 is really really in that stage right now.

Our older daughter didn't go through that stage either.

However, they all complained of growing pains. Hips, knees, ankles.

Those big feet sure do trip them up.....along with the gangly long limbs and total uncoordination!!! Our oldest son (the one who is 17) and the nearly 13 year old daughter are both very athletic also. Oddly, the nearly 13 year old is the most athletic and she has had the most trouble with this stage. (she has bruises all over and gets new ones all the time)

LAB, your boy is growing up!! :)

Michelle

Just saw this and had to respond. It is perfectly normal. I posted a couple of days ago about my son's big feet. At 12, he now wears a size 12 shoe. He plays baseball and we chuckle at every game because all the boys trip over their big flippers when they run at this stage. My DH says he always has to resist the urge to shout, "Run Forest, Run".