Did you get a good puberty education when you needed it? Sadly, most parents and caregivers did not. They were left to figure it out on their own. Some made mistakes they wish they hadn’t made. Others continue to struggle to find the answers to questions about their bodies and relationships. However, it’s never too late to learn about puberty so that you can do a better job teaching your own child. That is why I’m offering “puberty tips for parents.”
Every parent I’ve ever met has told me that they would like to teach their child about puberty and sexuality, but they don’t know how. Most adults did not have good role models for talking to kids about puberty. Now, they are trying to figure out how to teach their own children about puberty without having a solid foundation. Now is the time to build that foundation: Puberty for parents!
Get Started with These Tips
- Clarify personal and family beliefs and values.
- Know the facts or where to find them.
- Practice communication and active listening.
- Start short conversations by age eight.
- Take advantage of teachable moments as they arise.
Five Things Your Child Needs
- Affirmation
- Information
- Clarity about values
- Limit setting
- Anticipatory guidance [1]
Use These Resources:
- “Preparing Parents for Puberty” Online Parent Course
- “How to Teach Puberty Education at Home” blog post series
- Parent Resources website
- Book Review Videos on Facebook or YouTube
Learn More
- Understanding Puberty
- Tips for Talking about Sexual Health
- Talking to Your Child About Sexual Health
- Growth and Development, Ages Six to Eight: What Parents Need to Know
- Growth and Development, Ages Nine to Twelve: What Parents Need to Know
- Sex Education 101: The Conversations You Should Be Having With Your Kids
- The “Every Body”
- The Sexuality Wheel
- Talk to Me First: Everything You Need to Know to Become Your Kids’ “Go-To” Person about Sex
Would you like to take a self-paced, online class to help you prepare for talks with your child?
[1] Talk to Me First: Everything You Need to Know to Become Your Kids’ “Go-To” Person about Sex and book review video
Updated 2024-4-14
