Kids see and hear a lot about sex and relationships on TV and online. By the time they near puberty, they may be familiar with some advanced ideas. But talking about puberty is still an important job for parents because not all this other information is reliable.
Don’t wait for your kids to come to you with questions about their changing body. They might not, especially if they don’t know that it’s OK to ask you about this sensitive topic.
Talking about puberty isn’t a one-time conversation. Talk to your kids about the changes their bodies will go through as they grow. Some girls start puberty at 8 years old,
and some boys do by 9. So you may need to start these talks earlier than you think. Discuss the physical and emotional changes that come with puberty before they begin.
The Timing With Boys and Girls
Normally, puberty starts in girls when they’re between 8 and 14 years old. With girls, parents should talk about menstruation before their daughters start their periods. If they don’t know what’s happening, girls can be scared by the sight and location of the blood.
