Contents:
- Medical Video: Talking with Teens and Tweens | Puberty and Sex
- When should you start talking about puberty with children?
- How do you explain puberty in children?
- The first stage
- Second stage
- Third phase
- Fourth stage
Medical Video: Talking with Teens and Tweens | Puberty and Sex
Most parents may be the same, almost always consider their children to be small so they assume that talking about puberty, body changes, and sex are taboo and too early for children to understand. In fact, talking about puberty related to the child is needed so that they do not feel scared, confused, or depressed when experiencing this.
Or maybe you are waiting for when the child will ask himself about the changes that occur in his body. But, in many cases, this rarely happens. Children will feel reluctant to ask about changes in themselves that they feel when puberty. Moreover, children also do not know whether this can be asked whether or not because talk about puberty is classified as sensitive.
So what should you do to prepare the child for puberty? How do parents tell what will happen when a child experiences puberty and what is the impact?
When should you start talking about puberty with children?
Previously, you must know the normal puberty that occurs in girls and boys. Most girls begin puberty when they are 8 to 13 years old. But this varies greatly, depending on the condition of each child, they may experience puberty before they are 18 or even after 13 years.
Whereas in boys, puberty will be experienced when they enter the age of 10-16 years, slower than girls. At that age, children usually begin to experience changes in body shape or function.
Therefore, it is better if you have started talking about this to your child before he really changes, so they have knowledge about what is puberty and what will happen at that time.
How do you explain puberty in children?
Some things you can do when trying to explain about puberty that the child will experience, namely:
The first stage
Explain that puberty is a period that occurs in all children. At first, maybe your child will feel confused, embarrassed, and do not want to hear your words, but this is normal. Especially if your child has puberty first or even later than his friends. Therefore, explain also that puberty will come at different times for each child. Then, tell them that puberty is a person's initial stage of becoming an adult.
Second stage
Tell your child that at that time there will be various changes in bodily functions that vary between boys and girls. If you have props or books about puberty, it will be easier to explain puberty to children. Describe various changes that will occur to your child, such as:
Girl: breasts begin to grow, fine hairs grow around the genitals and armpits, have pimples on the face, experience menstruation or menstruation, and gain weight to change their body shape.
Boys: fine hairs start to grow around the genitals and armpits, the penis and testes begin to enlarge, sounds become broken and change, have pimples on the face, and experience wet dreams - ejaculation that is not realized when they sleep.
In girls, you can explain the process of menstruation or menstruation using pictures. Tell him about what will happen when menstruation occurs, such as removing blood so they have to use sanitary napkins, and notifying them that this will happen every month. don't forget to also tell how to use sanitary napkins on your daughter.
Whereas boys explain slowly about their genitals that will experience changes, experience sudden erections, and various other changes. Better, if the father explains this to his son, while the mother discusses with the girl.
Third phase
Prepare to deal with emotional changes in your child. Puberty will also make the child have unstable emotions. If you can understand this, then you will find it easier to deal with and communicate with them. Also explain to your child that physical changes will be accompanied by changes in their emotions
Fourth stage
Stay open and willing to discuss puberty with your child even after you have finished discussing it with him. Children are often embarrassed to ask about this when you are talking. Encourage your child to ask further about puberty, giving him the understanding that you can be asked at any time about this. Maintain your communication and openness with the child.
