Podcast 085: How to Talk to Kids About Puberty

We’re thrilled to have child sexuality expert Amy Lang back on the show for this episode. Amy helps parents talk to their kids about sex, love and relationships. She has a great website called “The Birds and Bees and Kids.” The last time Amy was on to chat to us about how to answer that age-old question, “Where babies come from?”, the episode kinda went viral. It was shared a tonne of times on Facebook and had 10 times the normal downloads. And that’s because Amy just has a great, light-hearted approach to these topics that can make parents a little squirmy. So, today, she’s back today to help us figure out how to talk to our kids about puberty. Everything you might find awkward or embarrassing about this-we tackle it here.

Puberty, by definition, is the period during which adolescents reach sexual maturity and become capable of reproduction. It is a process that usually happens between ages 10 and 14 for girls and ages 12 and 16 for boys, although this can differ greatly and is very dependent on the individual. It causes physical changes; for example, girls grow breasts and hair in the pubic area and armpits. Menstruation also starts during this time.
Boys also grow hair in the pubic area and armpits, as well as all over the body. They will see changes to their penis and testicles in terms of growth, as well as many other changes to their bodies.

Because this is when sexual maturity is reached, there will be many a concerned parent out there wondering what to do with regards to their child becoming sexually active and/or interested in masturbation. It is completely normal to be concerned about this, but at the same time, it is completely normal. It is important to know how to talk to your children about this, and that’s where we are here to help.

Here are some great resources related to my discussion with Amy.

Amy’s website, “Birds and Bees and Kids”

Amy’s books Birds + Bees + Your Kids and Dating Smarts: What Every Teen Needs to Know to Date, Relate or Wait

Amy’s blog

Amy’s great webinars and workshops

Amy’s Previous Episode: Explaining Where Babies Come From

The Care and Keeping of You 1: The Body Book for Younger Girls

The Care and Keeping of You 2: The Body Book for Older Girls

The Girl’s Body Book: Everything You Need to Know for Growing Up You

The Boy’s Body Book: Everything You Need to Know for Growing Up You

What’s Going On Down There?

Related Episode: Is There Sex After Kids?/

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This episode is brought to you by Wise Bites, makers of healthy, allergy-safe snacks that are great for the whole family and perfect to send to school. To get free shipping on a case, go to wise-bites.com and use promo code THENEWFAMILY at checkout!.

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