Last night while checking for ticks, I noticed that my 10.5 year old son is growing pubic hair. This came quite as a surprise to me, and I realize that I am not prepared at all.
I am looking for recommendations for parenting books on puberty for boys, and also for a good book that I can give to my son. I know that having open conversations is the best route, but I remember that sometimes there are things that you just don't know how to ask as a child, and I want him to get the information he needs.
Thanks to all of you who replied. Getting the right book is a very personal decision, as I found out. I did get the book recommended by several people here: It's Perfectly Normal: Changing Bodies, Growing Up, Sex and Sexual Health by Robie H. Harris, but it is very upfront and direct. This is fine with me, but I could see that some people could have an issue with this book. I also got the Boy's Guide to Becoming a Teen", a book published by the American Medical Association, which talks much more about the general issues during these years.
I gave both books to my son, and seemed shy and intersted about them at the same time.
Great question - my son will be 11 in July and even though I do not think he has reached that point in puberty - I am sure he will be soon. Plus - heading to Middle School will be an education in itself - learning from other middle school boys could be risky!! LOL
Here is a link to a great book on my Usborne Books website:
http://www.ubah.com/ecommerce/details.asp?sid=J2041&g...
I like that it is very point blank about things. I always recommend parents read it first and then share the parts they want to with the kids though because sometimes parents don't want to go into as much detail on some things maybe. I, personally, like that it is so clear and detailed but not all would agree.
Good luck!
E.
P.S. Looks like the link didn't post right. Go to http://www.ubah.com/j2041 and search "What's Happening to Me Boys" and it will come up. Or you should be cable to copy and paste the link above.
Hi H.,
I can't remember the name of the book, but there is one written by Marc Brown (the author of the Arthur series) and I believe they have one for ages 10 and under and one for 10 and over. You have to do what you know is right for your child. My daughter literally was hiding under the kitchen table when we tried to talk to her about it. A book was the way to go! lol.
There's a great book called It's Perfectly Normal: Changing Bodies, Growing Up, Sex and Sexual Health by Robie H. Harris. It's aimed at kids ages 10 and up. At least, I'm assuming it's great -- my oldest is almost 8 right now, so we haven't really used this one yet, but the other two in the series, It's Not The Stork (aimed at 4-7) and It's So Amazing (aimed at 7-10) are. I'm sure we'll get to the third one soon.
I would like to second the It's perfectly normal book, it is really informative but in a fun and not clinical way. I teach special ed and we used to use for health class.
Dear H.,
"Raising Boys" by Steve Biddulph talks a lot about puberty and what happens in the body and psyche then, and how we can stay connected with our boys and raise men that are comfortable with their manhood.
Hope you didn't find any ticks.
good luck,
D.
