Skip to main content
FamilyEducation
FamilyEducation
Family Education

FE-Menu

  • Pregnancy
    • <blank>
      • Pregnancy Tracker
      • Trying to Conceive
      • Signs & Symptoms
      • Pregnancy Health
    • <blank>
      • Baby Names
      • High Risk Pregnancies
      • Preparing for Baby
    • <blank>
      • Concerns & Complications
      • Labor & Delivery
      • Postpartum
  • Baby Names
    • <blank>
      • Browse All Baby Names (A-Z)
      • Top Names for Boys
      • Top Names for Girls
      • Baby Name Generator
    • <blank>
      • Baby Name Lists & Ideas
      • First Names By Origin
      • Browse All Last Names (A-Z)
      • Last Names by Origin
  • Babies
    • <blank>
      • Caring For Your Baby
      • Baby's Health
      • Feeding Your Baby
    • <blank>
      • Your Baby and Sleep
      • Baby's Growth & Development
      • Baby Hygiene
    • <blank>
      • Baby Safety
      • Baby Products
    • <blank>
  • Toddlers
    • <blank>
      • Toddler Growth and Development
    • <blank>
      • Toddler Behavior and Discipline
    • <blank>
      • Your Toddler and Sleep
  • Kids
    • <blank>
      • Health
      • Childhood Development
      • Fitness & Nutrition
      • Childhood Safety
    • <blank>
      • Communicating with Your Kids
      • Childhood Behavior and Discipline
      • Fostering Responsibility
      • Instilling Values & Manners
    • <blank>
      • Childcare
      • Neurodiversity in Kids
      • Adopting Children
  • Teens
    • <blank>
      • Teen Health
      • Teen Puberty & Sex
    • <blank>
      • Behavior & Discipline
      • Teen Social Development
    • <blank>
      • Values & Responsibilities
  • Activities
    • <blank>
      • Printables
      • Indoor Activities
      • Learning Activities
      • Arts and Crafts
      • Performing Arts
      • Food Activities
      • Outdoor Activities
    • <blank>
      • Books
      • TV
      • Movies
      • Online
      • Quizzes
      • Games
      • Celebrities
    • <blank>
      • Parties
      • Travel
      • Toys
      • Holidays
      • Gifts
  • Learning
    • <blank>
      • By Grade
      • By Subject
      • College
      • Preschool
    • <blank>
      • Back to School
      • Study Skills
      • Learning Styles
    • <blank>
      • Homeschooling
      • Parental Involvement
      • Your Child's School
  • Family Life
    • <blank>
      • Mom Life
      • Dad Life
      • Family Relationships
      • Having a Healthy Marriage
      • Divorce
    • <blank>
      • Health & Fitness
      • COVID Resources
      • Managing Your Home
      • Moving Your Family
      • Pets
    • <blank>
      • Family Finances
      • Work
      • Families and Food
  • NewslettersNewsletters
    Newsletters

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. Teens
  3. Puberty and Sex
  4. Changes During Puberty
  5. Helping Your Kids Through Puberty

Helping Your Kids Through Puberty

Guide your child through the tricky time of puberty.
familyeducation logo
FamilyEducation Staff
Updated: December 1, 2022
  • facebook share icon
  • pin
  • twitter share icon
  • email share icon
  • Print page icon

Helping Your Kids Through Puberty

Whoever said "appearances don't count" never shared a home with a child in the throes of puberty. Carefree kids suddenly become bundles of self-consciousness between the ages of about 10 and 15. As the mother of a 12-year-old, I've seen my daughter and her friends agonize over body size, shape, hair, complexion, and clothes. At the same time, their moods and energy levels rise and fall with fluctuating hormone levels.

More: The Best Books About Puberty for Girls

Fortunately, this stage doesn't last forever. Growth spurts subside, hormones even out, and bodies stop dishing out surprises.

Helping Them Weather Changes
During puberty, kids can grow several inches in one year. Unfortunately, they don't all grow at the same rate. Sixth grade boys and girls come in a wide range of sizes.

The age of sexual attraction varies, too. Kids' friendships may be strained when one becomes interested in the opposite sex before another. Reassure your child that these variations are part of normal maturation and that eventually the extreme developmental differences among peers will diminish.

Here are some tips for helping in the meantime.

Acne
Complexion problems during puberty are common and highly embarrassing. Treat an occasional breakout with over-the-counter remedies. Consult your pediatrician or dermatologist for more stubborn cases. New prescription medications, such as antibiotic wipes, can bring acne under control.

Weight
Instead of running around outdoors, too many of today's kids snack in front of the TV or play computer games. Help your children get more exercise by limiting sedentary activities and encouraging participation in sports and other physical pursuits. And be a good role model. Join them regularly for a swim or a walk.

Eating
Dieting and eating disorders are common problems of puberty, especially among girls. Kids should not restrict their food intake; their bodies need fuel for growth. Just make sure to offer foods that are low-fat and healthy. Don't comment on their bodies' shape--or your own. Instead, emphasize eating for good health without dictating what and how much your child consumes. If you suspect your child has an eating disorder, seek professional help immediately.

Sexuality
Don't assume your kids are getting the facts they need--or as early as they need them--from school hygiene or sex education classes. Some girls start menstruating as early as age nine. Boys tend to enter puberty a little later.

Don't have just one "Big Talk" and try to cover everything. Start early and maintain an ongoing dialogue. Assure your kids you'll answer their questions honestly, and keep your promise. If they don't ask, initiate conversations.

When kids are reluctant to talk, provide them with books written for young adolescents, such as the award-winning "It's Perfectly Normal" by Robie Harris (1994, Candlewick Press). Then follow up with chats about what they read and what they think about it.

A good resource for parents is Planned Parenthood's "All About Sex: A Family Resource on Sex and Sexuality" (1997, Three Rivers Press). Children who are informed in advance about what to expect during puberty will find it easier to cope.

 

Was this article helpful?

Thank you for your feedback.
familyeducation logo
About the author
FamilyEducation Staff

This writer is a part of the FamilyEducation editorial team. Our team is comprised of parents, experts, and content professionals dedicated to bringing you the most accurate and relevant information in the parenting space.

View more articles from this author

What's hot

  • 14-Year-Old Doesn't Know If His Penis Is Big Enough TeensI Need Help! Is my penis too…
  • Breast Buds: My Daughter's Breast Hurts Should I Be Worried? TeensBreast Buds: My Daughter…
  • Teen Budget Worksheet TeensTeen Budget Worksheet
  • Tips for a Successful After-Prom Party TeensTips for a Successful After-…
NewslettersNewsletters
Your partner in parenting from baby name inspiration to college planning.
Family Education
FamilyEducation does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Your use of the site indicates your agreement to be bound by our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Information on our advertising guidelines can be found here.

FE Footer

  • Newsletter Center
  • About Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Editorial Policy
  • Editorial Team
  • Expert Panel
  • Medical Review Policy
  • Fact-Checking Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Site Map
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise
  • Terms of Use
  • Do Not Sell My Info (for CA Residents)
sandbox learning logo
Family Education is part of the Sandbox Learning family of educational reference sites for parents, teachers, and students. 

factmonster logoinfoplease logoTeacherVision logo

sandbbox logo
©2022 Sandbox Networks Inc. All rights reserved. Sandbox Learning is part of Sandbox & Co., a digital learning company.