5 Things To Consider While Talking To Your Child About Puberty

Here’s the Crazy Thing about Puberty: everyone goes through it, yet parents often dread talking to their kids about it. Today, kids are exposed to so much information about sex and relationships on TV and the Internet that by the time they approach puberty, they may be familiar with some advanced ideas. However, not all of a child's information comes from reliable sources, and this makes talking about the issues of puberty remains an important job for parents.

If you wait for your child to come to you with questions about his or her changing body — that day may never arrive, especially if your child doesn't even know if it's okay to talk to you about this sensitive topic.

It's important to answer these questions about puberty honestly and openly – but waiting for the right time to speak to your child about it might not be a great idea. Here are a couple of notes which you might want to consider while talking to your child about puberty:

* Remember you have been there

Although the dynamics of the conversation might change based on the gender of your child, remember that the basic issues around puberty are the same as what you went through.To get started, think about how you felt as a preteen and what you were curious about. It is likely that your child will probably have the same questions.

* Keep it short

Conversations about puberty do not need to be long or involved. Keep the conversations short and focused on what your child actually wants to know. It is imperative to read the signs and close the conversation before it becomes awkward and uncomfortable for either of you.

* Talk in parallel

Sometimes talking face-to-face is too intimidating, especially as kids become more self-conscious. Try a conversation while you’re on a walk, in a car or working on a project together.The words often flow easier when you don’t have to make eye contact.

* Give your child options

Children process information in different ways—some prefer a conversation, others might want books and others may respond best to video content. Give your children options to learn from the medium which they are able to relate to in the best way.

* Remember that you don’t need to have all answers

A lot of parents shy away from conversations with their kids because they’re worried their child will ask a question they don’t know how to answer. It is also important to remember that not having an answer is also okay. If you don’t know the answer to one of your kid’s questions, just say so. Or even better, suggest that you look up the answer together!

* Remember it is never too early for the conversation

It’s never too early to talk to your kids; just keep the conversation age appropriate and relevant to their questions.With girls, it's vital that parents talk about menstruation before their daughters actually get their periods. If they are unaware of what's happening, girls can be frightened by the sight and location of the blood.Most girls get their first period when they're 12 or 13 years old, which is about 2 or 2½ years after they begin puberty. But some get their periods as early as age 9, while others get it as late as age 16.
On average, boys begin going through puberty a little later than girls, usually around age 10 or 11. But they may begin to develop sexually or have their first ejaculation without looking older.Just as it helps adults to know what to expect with changes such as moving to a new home or working for a new company, kids should know about puberty ahead of time.

* Talk often

When it comes to sex education, people often refer to having “The Talk” but the reality is, it’s never just one talk. The conversation about puberty is a lifetime of talks. It is important to talk about it often.

* It need not be perfect, just start

The best thing to do is just start. Your conversations don’t need to be perfect; you just need to have them!Engaging kids in these conversations helps set a foundation for healthy sexuality for the rest of their lives.