Children and Puberty...
By leyisa
@leyisa (486)
Canada
June 12, 2009 11:38am CST
Ok.....my husband and I were talking about somthing last night and my husband wants to part of this discussion..I was asking him when he thinks would be the right age for us to talk to the kids about puberty. My eldest is 8 years old and i'm not sure if it's too soon for me to start talkin to her about her body changes, etc. she hasn't really gone through that yet...she has some hair on her legs, but nothing excessive..she also has a tiny amount of hair under her arms..maybe 3-4 strands..again, almost unnoticeable...I'm wondering if these are signs that I should probably talk to her soon....How old do you think is the appropriate age to takl to your kids, especially girls? what's the best way to approach it?
1 person likes this
4 responses
@vanilla_28 (176)
• Malta
12 Jun 09
I don't think that there is a specific age, when you could explore this topic with your children. It all depend on both the physical and mental maturity of your children.However, if you and your husband are eager to teach your children about puberty you may do so by giving little information in simple language so that your children will be able to understand you. Then as they get older you may increase their knowledge even by providing them with books. Whatever method you may choose, I believe that it is important that you always tell them the truth about puberty and not use some old wives' tale to impress your children.
@leyisa (486)
• Canada
12 Jun 09
I agree with you about the importance of being truthful to the kids...I am not a fan of the old wives tales either...I'm curious to know how much of this is taught to them at school...back in my days we didn't learn about this until grade 6 .. but I hear now adays they are starting earlier...
@chookie1971 (2271)
• Australia
13 Jun 09
I have 2 children and to my surprise, both of them are changing right now and they are 5 years difference. My boy started changing late while my girl started changing early.
There is no specific age when to start talking to children about their body changes. But I suppose the best time is when you do notice any changes. For female changes, it is best if mother speaks to daughter. For male changes, it is best if father speaks about the changes in life. I have one each So both my husband and I have to speak to our children about changes of life.
@desteny114 (886)
• United States
14 Jun 09
I'm not sure if there is an age to start talking to them about puberty. I started talking to my 11 year old girl about puberty since she was 5 or 6 because she started to ask questions. Like why do you put that unders your harms and I told her that when you get older your armpits smell bad if you don't put deodorant on. You know when they start talking many questions come flying from them so I try my best to answer them in way that she will understand without getting her scared. Now she knows that she is going to get a period, get hear on her privates and pimples I even talked to her about boys and what they might try to do to her. I have told her how babys are made but I was not specific and she also knows that there is birth control and how it works. So I guess it all dipends on you when you what to let her know. In my case I like to talk my daughter about this things so when something happens she can always tell me without being inverest.
