I have five sons and two of the eldest are very tall – in fact one was six feet at the age of fourteen and has peaked at the age of twenty-two at six feet two inches. That was touch and go for a while I can tell you – but my fifteen year old is already six feet two and he still has another couple of years growth to get through. Allan also presents the problem in that his feet are such that they require shoes resembling a pair of kayaks – buying school shoes for him is a complete nightmare that I only just manage to do each year. It is the sports trainers that are hard to fit as they all seem designed for runners with long, narrow feet – not broad, flat paddles!

He has been wearing mens clothing since he was about 13 – same as his elder brother – the only drawback to this is he likes to be outfitted like the other boys he goes to school with, I have to admit I am lucky in that he is not too fussy clothes-wise but finding the right denims is always a job that takes several trips to the shops. The one’s he likes are either not in his size or cost a small fortune. If anyone knows of an effective growth-stunter (an environmentally kind one that is…) especially for teenage boys will they please let me know…?