theChat.scot

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Talking about puberty

By the time your child is 13 you will probably have had chats about puberty, talking about changes as they happen. But there can still be a need to cover some of the basic information your teenage child needs to understand the changes. A few images and words follow that you can chat through together. Talking together, answering questions as best we can, can help avoid stress or distress that can come with not understanding these natural processes and changes as they happen.

Just before the run through of basic info about puberty some info about periods and a links to some animations your child might find interesting.

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By when should a girl have started her periods?

One important aspect for teenagers would be to reassure your daughter that if she has not started her periods by age 15 that is okay. If periods have not stared by age 16 it is advisable to support her to visit her GP or local young people’s sexual health service, just to have a chat about why this might be so.

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Animations/films

For 13-, 14- and 15-year-olds these animations and short films could be watched together, or you could share the links with you child. If you are sharing the links, then have a look yourself first. Have a chat afterwards and check out that they understand what they have watched. There may more interesting questions and conversation.

• Boys change too (4 minutes 59 seconds) https://youtu.be/nJtt7k0aiAA
• Puberty in girls: Boobs and more (3 minutes 8 seconds) https://youtu.be/umpBnIxOqy8
• Top signs boys are in puberty (3 minutes 24 seconds) https://youtu.be/onggxBVl4qw
• Going through puberty changes (6 minutes 25 seconds)  https://youtu.be/reC8CV8NF5Q 

ChildLine also provide good information that you can encourage your teenage child to check out:  https://www.childline.org.uk/info-advice/you-your-body/puberty/

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Talking about puberty

You can use these images and text to talk together.

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Books

These books might be of interest. Maybe you could both read them and chat. Your library might have them, or you can ask them if they will order a book for you.

A book that answers questions about periods and related issues.

A useful and readable guide to puberty for boys.

A book for boys about their body and what happens to it.