Puberty: Who Needs It? (Growing Up Smart Body Fact #20)
November 25th, 2011 | Published in Sexual Health
My best friend grew a mustache when he was 13. And, as I remember, Debbie in middle school looked a lot older than her 12 years suggested. How did that happen? It’s all about puberty, of course.
As adults, we know puberty is part of growing up. Our children, however, still have to face the physical and emotional changes it brings. And whether they admit it or not, every child has questions about the process at some point. That’s where parents come in.
Puberty isn’t as tough if your kids understand a few basics. To kick things off, here is a short article for that young man or woman in your house. For more information, we recommend getting your child one of the many great specialty books about growing up that are available these days. Good luck!
“Puberty is the name for the time when your body begins to develop and change. Growing up to be an adult means that a lot of big changes are on the way. It also means taking responsibility for the care and health of your body.
The big changes will probably start when you’re 10 to 15 years old. But that’s not true for everyone. You could get started earlier or even a little later. Don’t worry if your best friend looks older and more grown-up. You’ll catch them. Puberty starts and finishes on its own schedule—not yours.
Once puberty does begin, your body will seem to have a mind of its own. Your body will change and at times you’ll grow so fast your shirtsleeves and pant legs will always be too short. Some young men and women can grow 4 or more inches in a year and suddenly stop. But, wait! Even after you think you’re done, you could still grow a little more.”
You probably wonder what you’ll look like after all the changes are over. Heredity is what determines the shape of your nose, how big your feet are, and how tall you’ll be. If your mom and dad are tall and thin, then you’ll probably be tall and thin, too. But, nothing is for certain. To know for sure, you just have to wait and see.
Author and publisher, Frank Hawkins, is passionate about helping young people grow up healthy and wise. It’s no surprise, then, that he co-founded Boy’s Guide Books in 2007 to do just that. What started out as a single book Frank wrote for his son has turned into a popular and respected series of “how-to” books trusted by young men and women everywhere. Boy’s Guide Books publishes “how-to” books for children and teens. Through our books, blog, and social network, we offer practical, straightforward, no-nonsense information and advice about health, hygiene, fitness, nutrition, and everything in-between. Give the gift of knowledge. Visit our blog Growing Up Smart. Article Source: