What Parents Need to Know About Puberty
Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Health
Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Health is a collaborative, coordinated and child-focused statewide health network.
From changing voices and growing pains to first periods and teenage mood swings, puberty comes with so many adjustments.?
With insights from Karli Boggs, MD, Board Certified gynecologist with Our Lady of the Lake Physician Group, and Brett Hutchinson, MD, Board Certified pediatrician with Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Health, this episode of ParentingU is a can’t miss for parents of tweens and teens.?
Key moments in the episode include:?
Signs of Puberty: What to Expect for Girls?
Puberty impacts various aspects of a girl's physiology and psychology. “It’s a long-term process that affects essentially every system in the body,” Dr. Boggs says.??
The first sign of puberty onset is usually breast bud development, which happens around age 8 to 9. The first menstrual cycle starts around two years after that on average.?
Other physical changes include hair development in areas like the underarms and pubic region, alterations in body shape and growth spurts.??
Recognizing the Signs of Puberty for Boys?
Puberty for boys starts before physical changes.??
“Some behavioral differences might start showing up a year or two before physical puberty happens,” Dr. Hutchinson says.?
“The first true starting physical change of puberty for boys is testicle size,” Dr. Hutchinson says. “Pubic hair is an early sign, and a growth spurt is another common occurrence at the beginning of puberty.” Other signs, such as acne and body odor, may also emerge gradually. Understanding these initial developments helps parents prepare for the journey ahead.?
Moody Tween Girl? Understand Her Brain’s Role?
Puberty isn't just about changes in girls’ bodies. Alongside these physical developments, girls experience shifts in their mood and emotions.??
“The brain is rapidly developing and changing during puberty, and that’s where some of the moodiness and the emotions going up and down really start to show up,” Dr. Boggs says.??
The amygdala — a region in the brain associated with emotional regulation and decision-making — is developing and changing during adolescence.?
“Children are also gaining independence and trying to be separate from their parents,” Dr. Boggs says. “Navigating that change is difficult for adolescents as well as their parents.”?
Boys Can Be Moody, Too?
Parents may notice subtle differences in their sons' attitudes and moods even before the onset of visible or physical changes. These early signs, such as increased backtalk or mood swings, signal the beginning stages of hormonal shifts.?
"Understand that they’re feeling things they’ve never felt before, and they’re experiencing emotions at an intensity they haven’t felt before,” Dr. Hutchinson says. “Let them know that’s normal.”?
Dr. Hutchinson encourages parents to be ready to learn how to deal with those extra sad and extra angry emotions that didn’t exist for their kids before puberty. Validate your child’s feelings and concerns while offering reassurance that the changes are normal and a part of growing up.??
Prepping for ‘The Talk’?
But what about parents who find these conversations uncomfortable or embarrassing? Dr. Boggs advises preparation and research. Resources such as healthychildren.org from the American Academy of Pediatrics and girlshealth.gov from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services offer reliable information tailored to various stages of development.??
Sharing personal experiences can validate the journey for both parent and child.?
"We need to share our experiences with our children so that they know they're not alone," Dr. Boggs says. By normalizing these discussions, parents can alleviate the anxiety surrounding puberty.?
First Periods?
Addressing the topic of menstruation can be particularly daunting for both parents and daughters. Talking about it in advance and helping girls know what to expect can prepare them for this natural occurrence.??
“Be proactive, not reactive,” Dr. Boggs says. “Really let them know it’s nothing bad. It’s nothing scary. It’s nothing dangerous or abnormal.”?
Girls may sometimes be very embarrassed by the onset of menstruation, and you know your daughter best. If she’d prefer to tell you when she needs period supplies in writing, set that up in advance.?
When should parents think about bringing their daughter in for her first GYN visit???
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that first evaluation around ages 13 to 15. Such an appointment doesn’t require an exam but is more of a conversation.?
It's an opportunity to introduce young girls to the world of gynecology, fostering trust and providing a knowledgeable adult resource for future questions and concerns.?
Evolving Conversations about Puberty?
Access to information online about how bodies develop can be a double-edged sword.?
“It’s always been said to parents they need to have ‘the talk’ with your children before they hit puberty because we want them prepared and not have surprises,” Dr. Hutchinson says. But with kids — and their friends — having Internet and social media access earlier, they may be exposed to information before they’re ready or their parents have a chance to explain it.?
“Be more prepared to start that discussion early enough for each individual child,” Dr. Hutchinson says. Use age-appropriate language, but not nicknames for body parts. And be prepared to make your family values very clear.??
Read more from Dr. Boggs here and more from Dr. Hutchinson here about their advice for parents to help their children navigate puberty with confidence and resilience.?
Have questions about your tween or teen’s healthcare needs? Connect with an?exceptional pediatric provider. Find more episodes of ParentingU wherever you get your podcasts, including YouTube.?