Puberty is the age where children face rapid changes. This includes physical changes such as rapid growth (height and weight), facial/underarm hair growth, the voice gets more musculaine among boys, breast growth among girls, hair growth in private parts, underarms and face. Acne, and pimples too are common problems along with these changes, the secretion of progesterone and testosterone harmone play a major role in their development.
Few parents find it difficult to manage situations such as when children talk back or do not listen to them. It’s an ambiguity they face whether to treat the son/daughter as child or an adult because they are not the same as they fall in between the phase called adolescence.
During this phase children go through psychological changes too. When these physical changes brings discomfort, they are prone to exhibit emotional variations in them. Sometimes they try to hide these changes, avoid attending social gatherings, becoming self conscious about their physical changes.
They also face identity crisis and try to develop their own identity. This search of their own self prods them to make friends. This is the phase, they tend to discuss their important life events, daily routines with them as they believe their friends can understand them better and that they can easily connect to them.
Parents need to observe these changes, your child might feel shy/uncomfortable to discuss the things but they don’t hate you, when they yell at you for things that you say for them. To explore their self, they may get into romantic relationships, and may also undergo peer preasure. The confusions, harmonal variations make them more vulnerable to experimenting new things. When parents notice these changes, they obviously feel agitated and the consequences might be worst.
Parents need to understand these changes, and listen to them when they talk about their issues. Be non-judgemental about things that are happening with them, and make sure you are reassuring them about your constant presence.
Be friends with their friends. Do not belittle their friendship or spy on them. The constant effort will make both of you share their views or problems. Pubertal stage brings along with them trust issues. So it’s important to maintain this factor too.
Develop a healthy life style when it comes to physical changes. It requires maintaining healthy lifestyle. Add healty food on their plate, so that they can cope up with physical changes.
Puberty is the crucial period for many children. They should be made aware about these stages. Instead of having conflicts in this stage, let them learn how to manage it peacefully.
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