Books on Puberty

Hi V.,

There are some really great websited on puberity for parents and teens. I find this approach alot better then reading a book to you son, as it allows him to engage with the website himself and is lest embarassing for them. I have a 13 year old and a 16 and found the website to be much more comfortable for them.

www.dmoz.org/Kids_and_Teens/Health/Puberty
health.discovery.com
health.discovery.com/centers/teen/puberty/puberty.html
www.keepkidshealthy.com/adolescent/puberty.html
parentingteens.about.com/od/preteenspuberty

there are interactive tools that give information to kids with pictures and words that help them to understand their own body changes.

I think both you and your son will enjoy these!

Hope this works for you!

blessings and Happy New Year,

J.

Two Moms Catering

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The PAMF preteen site has some great resources, and is a safe site for him to spend time on: http://www.pamf.org/preteen/parents/resources.html

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I picked up copies of " Our bodies,Our selves" for my kids. They have a version for a girl and for a boy. I have been very pleased with the results. My kids read them at their own speed and I have answered any questions that they have.

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"So You're About to Become a Teenager" was a great book we read with our sons as they made the transition from elementary school to middle school. Can't remember if there were any sections in it that would help with the early onset of puberty (9 years). In our house that stage was mainly body odor onset.

I remember both my older boys being quite uncomfortable in 5th grade when we had the puberty discussion-timed it with when the school was going to do their lesson. The response I got was "did I really need to know all that about me and the girls" and "do the girls know all this too?" Mind you, all we discussed was the body changes, not where babies come from.

My youngest is 8 and in 3rd grade. I don't think he's ready for puberty knowledge yet (he still thinks body noise is funny), of course I'm just talking about my youngest, I'm not questioning your judgement at all (you know your son).

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"What's happening to my Body: for Boys"

http://www.amazon.com/Whats-Happening-Body-Revised-Third/...

I think this is the book I remember as being quite open and useful. THey have one for boys and for girls. If it is the one I remember, I was quite impressed with it and thought I would buy it for my future children.

**edit**
actually, I think this was it...

My body my self for boys, "What's happening to my body"
http://www.amazon.com/My-Body-Self-Boys-Happening/dp/1557...

Both books are by Lynda Madaras.

Good luck!

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A (college-level) student of mine just recommended David Walsh's book, "Why Do They Act That Way?" It deals a lot with the teenage brain and what developmental changes are occurring in order to explain the title question. She read it as a late teen who was hoping to teach middle-schoolers one day, so it may be better for Mom and Dad than for your son, but it sounds excellent.

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What is Happening to Me? is good. Also, you should know about the class at Lucille Packard Children's Hospital called
Heart to Heart. It is a two session class for boys 10-14 and their fathers (also there's one for girls/mothers)all about puberty. My daughter loved it.

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There are 2 books-Young People ASk-questions that work, volume 1 and 2 that cover all areas of growing up thru teen years with an interactive section at the end of each chapter. It is put out by Jehovah' Witnesses and is the best! You can contact them by phone at the Kingdom Hall or ask when they come to your door if you dont know of anyone. They dont sell them, but will accept a contribution towards its printing and the voluntary ministry work.

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Hi V.!

Oh I know!!!!! It was so scary for to think of a way to talk to my kids about "everything". I have never come across a book, although I didn't look that hard.

They learn quite a few things in 5th grade. It's State Mandated (I was told). Then as long as they "know" the basics before starting Jr. High School, you will be OK.

Now, if your son is asking about things already, then I would answer him briefly, without details. Everything you discuss should be done in steps. This way, it's not too overwhelming/shocking for him.........this is based on experience :o)

Good Luck! I hope that something I've said can help you a little.

~N. :o)

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I don't know any specific books but whenever I'm looking for anything parenting related I do a search on Mothering.com and usually come up with something good.

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Hi V., for me personally ,I am not thinking about talking to my 9 year old boy right now. Boys develop later then girls usually. But alot of people do start this young. I have just spent alot of time researching books on this because I have a almost 12 year old daughter to cover this with . I went to amazon books and found so many books,and helpful reveiws which I love to hear from people who've already read the books. It really depends on how you want to talk about all this. I am approaching this with a persective of Gods plan and design of our bodies. I found so many amazing books that will really help get through this diffucult (for me) topic. I must have bought 5 books. All cover boys and girls and are for different ages. I recommend you go to amazon and research your topic and style of teaching you want to use and you'll find very helpful reviews and excerpts from the books. Best wishes

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