Posted on November 02, 2024

NAVIGATING PUBERTY: Know the changes and guide your teen.

Category:Lifestyle

The once adventurous and carefree kid you
had that loved riding his bike, climbing trees or playing shirtless in the
compound has all of a sudden stopped. He seems calmer and no longer asks about
everything-he seems to be figuring out life by himself. His body Oduor has
become stronger, he prefers to bathe once in a while and his friends have
changed. His voice is slowly deepening, he no longer wants to watch Nickelodeon
but rather fashion and music magazines on BET. Yes, he is probably entering
puberty.

Entering puberty is a profound and
transformative experience that brings about both physical and emotional
changes. Puberty often starts between 8 and 14 years depending on factors like
genetics, gender and environment. The most noticeable aspects are the physical
transformation-height increases rapidly, and the body begins developing
secondary sexual characteristics like breasts in girls and voice deepening in
boys. Hair growth in areas such as the armpits and pubic region also starts.

Beyond the physical, puberty can be an
emotionally intense time. Hormonal fluctuations, particularly increases in
estrogen or testosterone, can lead to mood swings, feelings of
self-consciousness, and heightened sensitivity. For many youths, this period includes
navigating new emotions related to identity, friendships, and attractions to
others. These changes can create excitement as individuals grow into their
adult bodies but may also bring uncertainty and discomfort as they adopt to
these shifts. 

This phase of life also marks the beginning
of increased independence, where individuals start exploring who they are and
how they are and how they fit into a larger social community. They start to
compare themselves physically. Some will feel they are gangly or too fat. The
teens then will resort to make changes in their meals. For those that feel so
small will resort to over eating while those that feel too big will avoid food.
Some will even opt to go for muscle building formulars. What ever it is, your lovely
child has entered puberty and they need your full guidance-emotionally and
physically.