Hi there.
I'm going to comment on what this image says to me, rather than what you wanted to.. Images have to speak for themselves, and sometimes say very different things to what the author intended. The B&W may give a sense of melancholy, but as I print exclusively B&W I see something different - I see a child growing up and preparing to go to the next level, both metaphorically and figuratively. The shadow in the background is an anxious parent close at hand in case something happens, but far enough away to allow the child to grow and respond to his or her environment on its own. It's about growing up, and really it's more about the shadow than the child. It's our presence watching over, hoping everything is going well, but ultimately letting the child grow up and not suffocating it. We are the shadow looking on, we are in the picture. I think that accomplishes something very important, which is being able to relate personally to the photograph.
On a more technical issue regarding the framing, I am going to do what I've been told is not good form.. i.e. suggesting "how I would have done it". I wasn't there, I didn't do it, you did. HOWEVER, if I'd been there I would have crouched down lower to get more of the floor and that way avoided the overhang in the top part of the frame. The overhang closes the picture, and in my vision of a child growing up and out, the sky, or as much of the top frame should be open and uncluttered. Obviously your intent was different, which is maybe why you included the overhang in the first place.
Can you tell I'm a new father!? :-)