Creating Open Dialogues: Puberty
It’s important to start talking with your kids about puberty early. Through social media, TV and other kids, children may learn about sex at a young age. However, the information they receive may not be appropriate or reliable. Get ahead of the conversation by giving your child truthful, simple and age-appropriate information that they can understand.
Keep the lines of communication open with your child; “the talk” shouldn’t be a one-time conversation. Explain what’s happening to your child’s body and let them know that what they are feeling is normal. Keep it calm and casual.
Use the following graphic to help your child understand that what is happening to their body is normal.
Puberty conversation starters
Use the following conversation starter ideas to talk to your kids about puberty:
“I remember feeling awkward when I was your age. Do you ever feel awkward?”
Use items around your home like tampons, pads, razors, bras, or deodorant as an opportunity to ask your child, “What do you know about these things?” “Do you have any questions?” Make sure to talk to them in an age-appropriate manner.
If you are watching TV with your child and something about sex or relationships comes up, use it as an opportunity to ask, “Have you ever liked someone?” “How did it feel?” “What have you heard about relationships or sex?”
Try saying, “You’re growing so much lately!” “How do you feel?” “Do you have any questions?”
If your child has a presentation at school about puberty, make sure to follow up with them when they get home. Ask questions like, “What did you learn?” “Do you understand what your teacher was talking about?” “Do you have any additional questions?”
“If you ever have any questions about anything, you know you can ask me.”
Reasons for emotional changes during puberty:
The physical changes associated with puberty become the basis for new emotional experiences.
It is common for parents to notice their children become more moody and irritable during this period of their lives.
This moodiness is commonly attributed to sudden and fluctuating hormonal levels, or "raging hormones“.
During puberty, the body is adjusting to these fluctuating hormone levels and this fluctuation does create mood swings.
There are several other physical causes accounting for increased moodiness apart from fluctuating hormones.