To be worried about 10 year old growing hair in armpit

My son is 12 and has just started growing underarm hair but started with other signs of puberty last year

It’s normal OP you don’t see a doctor unless outside normal ranges. My dd started puberty as soon as she turned 8 and underarm hair was one of the first signs. She had gone through puberty completely before finishing primary school.

I don’t believe there is any factual basis behind the idea that puberty is starting earlier now, and also for info my dd is not remotely overweight (before or after puberty), she’s a very slim size 4-6, 7.5 stone and 5ft 2 at 11 years old. it starts when it starts!

Don't worry quite normal for some boys

Just a reminder that not everyone reading these threads has the best intentions. You might want to go easy on the descriptions of your kids' puberties.

Puberty is triggered by weight to a certain extent.

It is normal (although I appreciate it seems young).

I don’t think he needs to see the GP and I would just chat to him about puberty.

You are not silly for asking these questions.
You are just being a good parent.

My DD is 10 and she has just started growing underarm hair. Her friend whose very dark haired started at 8.

Armpit hair was the first sign for me, aged around 8. Is it different for boys in that way?

Are you always so nasty.? OP is asking for advice. Advice is that it's in the normal scale of male puberty
No need for sarcastic comments

Given that armpit hair is usually in a later puberty stage, I don’t think it’s unreasonable to be questioning it. I’m sure it’s fine, but worth a quick question of the GP?
It’s the Tanner stages I’m referring to.

My ds was 10/11 when he started puberty. He’s 14 now and pretty much done though I assume he may keep growing for a bit longer. Not too much hopefully as he’s almost 6 foot with size 12 feet already! My dd is 10 and her body has started changing too. It’s young but not abnormal at this age.

What on earth are you going on about? Where has he indicated that?

It’s an especially stupid comment anyway as, funnily enough, girls grow hair under their arms as well, and usually at a younger age than boys.

Boys are a funny breed, I taught some year 7s that were already 6ft tall and strapping young men with the start of facial hair to match - fabulous rugby players and year 11s that barely reached my shoulders and still baby faced only to bump into them once they had moved onto college for them to be far taller than me.

It's all normal and nothing to worry about.

I was 10 when I had my first period. My husband and son were both shaving daily at 13,if they didn't they had full beards. Children have become better nourished, in the dim and distant past most didn't get to the appropriate weight for puberty to start until much later. There is nothing wrong with your son. Just be supportive and let him grow up. And I'm 68,most of my school friends reached puberty at about the age of 11/12, so it's not new.

Much of it is linked to weight, apparently. So with the increase in body fat of the population, the average age for puberty has decreased. On average.

My 10 year old has started growing pubic hair. He told me very proudly that he now has 12 hairs 🤣. It’s perfectly normal at age 10. He has also been wearing deodorant for a couple of years now.

In the nicest possible way, you are being silly. Listen to your wife.

I read an article (I think it was in The Economist) that said cultural stress can cause puberty to start earlier in kids. It mentioned kids who grew up during Covid as well as things like wars and disasters. However my mum started her period at 10 in the 60s which I think is young as I started at 14 (although I suppose puberty can start years before periods)

I remember when my DS started secondary. There were boys in his class with deep voices and moustaches. I was a bit taken a back as all his primary friends and him were very definitely still little boys.

Don't worry OP - it is perfectly normal.

Perfectly normal but remember that while it is normal his body is starting to change but he is still a young child so just keep on parenting him how you always have while giving the space for this change just as you have for all the changes that come before.

you are worried because you love him and that’s ok but maybe do some research so you can eat up to speed on what’s coming next. We all have to learn so we are prepared to support our children.

Are children actually starting earlier or is it anecdotal? My mum was 10 when she started her periods 50 years ago, I was 12.

In the nicest way possible OP you are worrying over nothing! 10 is a normal age to get armpit hair, I did too. Granted females tend to start puberty earlier but 10 is not an abnormal age for a boy, it's just the earlier side of normal.

I was 9, DH was 11. DD was 10, DS was 12.

Our children are starting puberty younger than our generation. My DD was a tween when she started puberty whereas I was a teenager. It is not unusual for youngsters to start in year 5/6 these days so your DS is within the normal range.