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Puberty is Here. Ick.

TheOtherMom's picture

Submitted by TheOtherMom on Mon, 03/29/2010 - 10:13pm

SS11 got his first pimple today.

I feel like having a panic attack. I am not ready for this!

What comes next?

Isn't 11 a little early?

Comments

StepChicka's picture

Submitted by StepChicka on Tue, 03/30/2010 - 12:30am

My almost 11 year old daughter has little pimples along her hairline. A big one broke out between her eyes a few months back.

It's normal for kids to go through puberty around 10 on. At least it is now in days. Precocious puberty, early onset, would be considered if the girl is under 8 and if the boy is under 9.

Silver's picture

Submitted by Silver on Tue, 03/30/2010 - 12:08am

11 sounds about right. Maybe it won't be too terrible and he won't be replaced with the evil alien that a lot of teen boys seem to become.

"I have always loved the time before dawn because there is no one around to remind me who I am suppose to be, so it is easier to remember who I am." - unknown

Silver's picture

Submitted by Silver on Tue, 03/30/2010 - 12:57am

I thought I read somewhere that part of the reason that puberty is hitting earlier and earlier is due to the types of food and chemicals in our every day environment.

I just read an article the other day that mentioned that man made compounds called Xenoestrogens are present in practically everything and are believed to be a huge contributing factor in early puberty in women. The same article mentioned that in the mid-1800s the average age for a woman's first menarche was 17.

"I have always loved the time before dawn because there is no one around to remind me who I am suppose to be, so it is easier to remember who I am." - unknown

StepChicka's picture

Submitted by StepChicka on Tue, 03/30/2010 - 1:24pm

In Primative cultures they are very young that's all I know. Any culture that exhibit and promotes sexual activity puberty cam come on early.

Mammals other than humans do the same when exposed to the oppossed to the opposite sex for prolong periods of time.

steppinginsf's picture

Submitted by steppinginsf on Tue, 03/30/2010 - 1:25am

There's lots of thought about the reason...hormones in meat/milk, preservatives in foods that babies consume from newly born, their parents' habits (has to do with the average older age the women are having kids).
My SS is 10.5 and has extreme body odor (he also doesn't shower every day). He has grown about 6 inches in 6 months, and is on the verge of developing body hair. He also tlaks to me about his body feeling different, his dad has talked with him pretty explicitly about puberty, masterbation, etc. I gave him deoderant in this stocking at Xmas. It is a funny age- half little one and also know they are growing up. For me, the challenge is encouraging and supportive his independence when FH wants to continue to treat him like a baby...
So I say jump on the puberty/adolesence bandwagon! You have the opportunity to be a strong ally to your SK in these really complicated years. That is how I am approaching it....

TheOtherMom's picture

Submitted by TheOtherMom on Tue, 03/30/2010 - 8:57am

I remember puberty being AWFUL. I cried all the time for no reason. Then the day I got my period was the worst day of my life because I didn't know what was happening to me really. My boobs were growing because I was a early bloomer but that was nothing compared to all my hectic feelings.

I tried to ask my rock of a brother but he was useless. DH is not comfortable with it either! I'm like "But YOU went through this!"

StepChicka's picture

Submitted by StepChicka on Tue, 03/30/2010 - 1:11pm

As far as the reason(s) why the early puberty there are a lot of suggestions. I'm one of those who believe it's more environmental then chemicals ie...in the food products. History has shown the children go through puberty sooner when exposed to an openly sensual/sexual environment. Gypsy and ancient Egyptian cultures show children having babies as early as 9-10 years old. It is speculated King Tutankhamen’s wife was 10 or 11 giving birth to two stillborns during his reign. I believe she was 13 when he was murdered.

The US was based on puritan-like culture which segregates the sexes. We had a couple of centuries with that concept. Girls went to separate schools. Men and boys worked in the field, woman and girls cooked inside. Modesty was a priority. Showing signs of anything sexual was frowned upon. Present day, not only are most activities are coed, the aftermath of advanced contraception combined with woman’s lib that makes a more heightened sexual society for all.

jojo68's picture

Submitted by jojo68 on Tue, 03/30/2010 - 2:03pm

Puberty is not going to be a good thing around our house. I can only imagine the drama when Princess gets her period...the whining...something dada can't make go away and isn't gonna be able to help much with either. Princess doesn't come to me with things like that so poor grandma will prolly have to be the one to deal with it. Sigh...a year or two to go