When Summer Starts, So Do the Growth Spurts

School’s out. Backpacks hit the closet. And before long, parents start noticing: the shorts are suddenly shorter, shoes don’t fit, and that “kid voice” is dropping fast.

At The Endocrine Co., this is the season when we see more parents asking the big questions:

“Is my child growing enough?”
“Is this normal?”
“Should we be doing something?”

And we get it. Summer isn’t just about camp and sunscreen—it’s also when many families finally have time to schedule physicals, look at growth charts, and reflect on the past year. For some kids, it’s also when they start to notice how they stack up next to their peers.

One of our patients—let’s call her Mia—came in last summer after binge-watching The Summer I Turned Pretty with her friends. It’s a show built around that transitional season of life: the moment you go from feeling like a kid to wondering if others see you differently. There’s a strong undercurrent of hormonal changes, body awareness, emotional mood swings, and that inevitable comparison to peers. It got Mia thinking: “Is it weird that I haven’t grown yet?”

Her mom wasn’t sure if she was just being dramatic or if something was actually going on. Turns out, Mia’s instinct was right. We did a simple evaluation, and her growth curve had flattened. But with a little guidance, some bloodwork, and honest conversations, we created a plan that helped her body catch up at just the right pace. Today? Mia walks into our office taller, more confident, and with a hoodie that finally fits.

These are the stories we love.

Whether your child is hitting growth spurts early, running a little behind, or just not sure what’s happening at all—this is what we’re here for. Pediatric endocrinology is about more than hormones. It’s about reassurance, science, timing, and listening closely to what your child (and your gut) are telling you.

So if the end of the school year has you wondering about your child’s growth or development, summer is the perfect time to check in.

Let’s take a look together. You bring the questions, we’ll bring the answers.

— Dr. Penny