We know that PUBERTY is an inevitable process as a child’s body goes through physical changes and transits into that of an adult’s body.  A girl’s puberty starts as early as 8 to 13 years of age while a boy’s puberty usually starts later at the age of 10 to 15.

These physical changes are many -  ranging from menstruation in girls, change in voice, growth spurt, growth of hair under the arms and pubic areas ……… to growth of pimples. The surge of anxiety, curiosity and even mood swings in the child is understandable as his/her body starts to develop physical and hormonal changes.

So many questions must be running in the children’s heads as they wonder :

“Why the bodily change in their friends or themselves?”

“Why have their bodies not developed at the same pace as that of their friends?”

“How to handle these sudden changes?” 

“How to avoid friends laughing at them for “progressing faster than others”?

Many even feel shy to voice their concerns to their family members or friends. So, it needs a while of adaptation for the children to get adjusted to the “transformation”.

……..

For us, I can’t believe that 11 years have passed and soon, it will be my son’s turn to experience PUBERTY. We are not really counting down but we are expecting these changes and our son’s concerns.

Brendan is entering his 11th years of age in about two months time.  He is becoming inquisitive and resistant to the expected physical changes that he has to experience sooner or later. I noticed that he is starting to “ASK MORE” and “EXPRESSED HIS ANXIETY” about the process. 

Frankly, I am not surprised.   I wish I had the opportunity to have my mom or teachers share knowledge about PUBERTY to me when I was young.  Children today are more fortunate because they have parents and teachers who share these knowledges with them receptively.

In fact, some questions become common:

“Does it mean I will have hair on my legs and hands?”

“Will I have pimples?”

“Will my voice crack?”

Then, yesterday, he got somehow “paranoid” over a suspected “PIMPLE” on his flawless face.  Eventually, it turned out to be a false alarm and my boy was really relieved. 

[If only this unwelcomed pimples could spare our children in their growth process. However, still we need to let them know that this is just part and parcel of growing up.]

A suspected pimple under the lip turned out to be a false alarm. Young boys do care for their looks!

So, the moment has arrived for us  parents to play the role of Human Biology Teacher.  As parents, it is also an adjustment period as we witness our children “develop physically” and grow into a healthy adult.   This is, in a way, the joy and privilege of parenthood :

“Being able to experience a WHOLE NEW LIFE all over again through the development of our children”.

I know that it is time to share more knowledge with Brendan. Issues like “the types of changes, how to cope with these changes, how not to feel left out if his friends are developing at a different pace, and how to remain calm when teased” are useful information that will help him to get adjusted.  I also recommended him relevant information to read and acquire better understanding. Here is one useful resource for parents and children. Click HERE if you are interested to read more.

While we stay in anticipation as our boy lets his body takes its natural course, one thing I truly appreciate is that it is indeed a privilege to be part of our child’s growth process *smile*.

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