3 Steps To Handling The Cascade Of Hormones And Emotions: Puberty

Puberty is the age at which girls and boys transition into young adults, when the bodies begin to show the first signs of sexual maturity. The exact age when puberty hits varies from person to person – nowadays, girls and boys are reaching puberty much earlier than they used to and this is believe to be due to the extra xeno-oestrogens from plastics and pesticides in our environment.

Girls may start showing signs of puberty as early as 8 years, while boys begin to show signs a little later – by 11 years of age. The ages may vary but all children go through very similar emotional and psychological issues during this delicate period. Their bodies are changing – this makes them feel awkward, gawky, and maybe they feel a little different from some of their other friends who have not yet had these changes. This by itself can lead to several questions and emotional issues. In addition there is a surge of luteinizing hormone and follicle stimulating hormone trying to raise estrogen and testosterone “adult” levels. This makes mood swings and emotional upheavals all the more pronounced.

Being even more supportive!
As parents you may go through their own ups and downs during this time –your baby is slowly growing up, doesn’t want to talk to you as much, prefers hanging out with friends and throws tantrums over seemingly minor things.  This is just a phase, and they actually need your support now more than ever. Balancing support with respect for space and privacy is often the tricky part!

Be cautious with feelings…
One of the things parents must avoid is putting kids on the spotlight by making a fuss about recent developments. When children start puberty, parents often get carried away and announce what’s going on to friends and family. This may be very embarrassing for the child, especially when the issue is as delicate as the first period for a girl. Let them decide what they want to talk about, and with whom. When kids know what is changing and why, it makes things slightly easier. Talk to boys about what to expect when their voice changes, make sure that they are comfortable using razors and shaving. Boys would probably feel more comfortable talking to their fathers or men in the family they relate to. Anticipate needs! Make sure your daughter always has a supply of pads (and avoid tampons because they impede proper menstrual flow), as periods can be unpredictable in the first couple of years.

The role of diet and Lifestyle
This is also the time where peer pressure really kicks in…and being aware that diet and lifestyle can play such a huge role on the developments in this area is crucial. Periods may be painful for girls and acne may develop for both. Often parents are misguided in times of crisis to believe that pharmaceutical intervention is necessary when a natural treatment approach is more supportive in the long term.

Because of the hormonal surges, in combination with possible teenage junk food binges inflammation in the system increases, this can increase the intensity of most new, overt signs and symptoms.

A balanced diet, based on fresh and unprocessed foods and good nutrient supplementation is generally all it takes to create a positive outcome.

This can be a wonderful time of self discovery, encourage open discussion, and provide resources for your child. There is a lot of support if you look for it, some wonderful organizations are doing brilliant work. Remember that you may need re-training at this time to learn how to most effectively deal with the changes in your son or daughter and the entire household dynamics. Above all, your support and honesty are extremely valuable – even if your child does not overtly express gratitude. Know that just being there and talking can help them get through what could be a very confusing period in their lives.