Puberty.
If it hasn’t come yet for your family, it is.
One day you are changing diapers and running behind your toddler escape artist, and basically, the next you are trying to figure out why the cleats you bought three weeks ago suddenly don’t fit.
BECAUSE PUBERTY.
It is a thing!
My experience on the topic as it pertains to the male species has become quite extensive in recent years.
My children would kill me if I were to lay down intimate details of what our experience has been like, but to suffice it to say I have Googled “puberty in boys” more times than I can count on one hand.
For educational purposes of course.
As Dude 3 begins to enter the phase of everything’s hairy and everything smells, I figured it was time to sit him down and give him “the book”.
It is the Boy’s Body Book and it is our puberty bible.
I give it too all of my Dudes when they hit the fourth grade -before they start experiencing real body changes, before they have a ton of questions about things, and well before “the talk” happens at school.
I love it because it’s comprehensive, it’s entertaining, and it’s a perfect conversation starter so you’re not eyeing each other across the room all awkward and junk.
Although, here’s what’s true: there is little chance you will get through this whole experience without being awkward.
I decided to share it with my DudeMom friends on a recent Facebook Live video alongside Dude 3. However, instead of it being this informative resource, it turned out to be a hilarious train wreck wherein Dude 3 discovers the book is home to a pretty comical illustration of the male reproductive system.
You have to watch the hilarious video!
Ready to have the talk about puberty with your sons?
Here are some things you should definitely say.
Talking About Puberty: 7 Things to Say to Your Son About Puberty
Puberty is normal.
But sometimes, it doesn’t feel like it. Sometimes it feels a little like you are going crazy. You get so angry you want to punch things, while also crying your eyes out. You still want your mom to hug you and tuck you in, but you also feel like she doesn’t understand a single thing about you. Your body is doing weird crazy things and your brain is just struggling to keep up. It sounds nutty, but it’s all perfectly normal.
Because your body isn’t the only thing changing.
Your mind is changing too! There are hormones and junk involved and they make you feel like a hot mess sometimes.
But, before you know it, you will get back to yourself.
Or the new, more manly, version of yourself.
It’s not all weird and scary.
There are some benefits. You get taller, and those guns you’ve been flexing since you could stand, will finally start to come in.
You must use deodorant.
Daily.
And, you have to shower too.
Daily. With soap. Actual soap that you rub in all of the places. Water isn’t gonna cut it and mom can’t come in there and scrub your places for you. You gotta get this done, kid.
I want you to talk to me.
About anything.
And I promise not to be super awkward about it.
Although, chances are, I am gonna be a bit uncomfortable with some things. Just, you know, because I am your mother. But I swear, even if I sweat and stutter over my words like a total weirdo, I am here for you. Totally.