Baseball. Basketball.  Doesn’t seem to matter.

“There’s no way that kid is the right age.  Can I see a birth certificate?”  Laughter from moms ensues.

I could write about 10,000 words on this subject, but I’m keeping it short and simple. I am a 5’4″ mom to two tall children.  The younger hovers at the top of the infamous growth chart; the older hasn’t been on the chart since the two month check up (the infamous well check visit where the horrified pediatrician told us he was “too big” which led to her imminent firing as pediatrician).   I’ve heard literally every comment ever contrived about the “big kid.”  But by far, the most common thing I hear in the stands at baseball, or basketball, or pretty much anything is…

“Can I see a birth certificate?”

What a clever way of making a point.  (Yeah, okay, that was sarcasm)  It takes enormous self-control not to turn to those people – including fans on our own teams commenting about the big kid on the other team – and say something sarcastic and cutting. Knowing that no one really means anything by it (as I’ve been told, repeatedly) doesn’t really help.  It’s just rude.

May I suggest something to the “average” people of the world, like myself?  We’ve fully embraced that commenting on size regarding kids on the small end of the spectrum is unacceptable and unnecessary, and rightly so.  I suggest we extend that same courtesy to kids who dwarf their peers.  Perhaps that would free us to see the other, more subtle qualities that we hope define them more than something with which they are born, and over which they have no control.  Kindness.  Intensity.  Character.  Thoughtfulness.  Loyalty.  Dedication.  Work ethic.  Spiritual depth.  Hey, maybe we could look for those things in all people…of all sizes…

And in case you don’t take my suggestion…yes, you can see a birth certificate.  It’s in my purse.  Are we good now?