Worried about how early DS(10) seems to be going through puberty

[brandyice]

DS is 10, but only just - he turned 10 end of June - and I’ve started getting a bit worried about how quickly he’s developing physically. I’ve noticed he’s got quite dark hair above his top lip now, not a thick moustache but definitely noticeable when you’re looking at him. He hasn’t said anything about it and I don’t know if he’s even particularly aware of it himself, so I haven’t mentioned it because I don’t want to make him self-conscious if he hasn’t been thinking about it.

He’s always been tall for his age but he’s shot up quite a lot. His voice has gone really deep as well and people regularly think he’s about 13 when they meet him. He’s got a few spots coming up on his forehead. When I look at him next to the other boys in his class he looks and sounds so much older than them. The rest look like little boys in comparison

I know children all develop at different rates and I don’t want to be one of those mums who worries about every little thing, but I can’t help noticing it. I don’t remember boys going through all this when I was at school until they were a fair bit older. I know 10 isn’t tiny but he’s still in primary school and, as he’s only just turned 10, it seems so young to be looking and sounding this grown up already.

The awkward thing is I don’t want to draw his attention to the hair or start asking him questions about his body when he hasn’t brought it up himself. He’s quite a sensitive boy underneath it all and I think he’d be mortified if he thought I’d been studying his face and worrying about it. At the same time I keep wondering whether I should be doing something rather than just leaving it especially if he starts getting comments about it

I’m on my own with him and his dad isn’t involved, so I haven’t really got anyone to talk this through with but I don’t want to frighten myself by googling things either.

Would you go to the GP if it was your child, particularly with the deep voice and facial hair as well as the growth spurt? Or would you leave it alone? I don’t want to make him feel there’s something wrong with him, but I also don’t want to ignore something I should have checked.

How tall is he when you say he’s shot up?

My girls were like this (I know that girls are earlier anyway but they had were earlier than most of their peers especially at 9/10 Y5 age) what I would say though is at 13 it's evened out and they don't look out of place anymore and I was worried they would have stopped growing and be tiny but they haven't just slowed a. I don't know about the age for precocious puberty that would lead to medical treatment in boys but I think it's probably younger than 10. I found the usbourne What's happening to me books good for mine they were straightforward age appropriate and not scary!

I haven’t actually measured him recently so couldn’t say exactly, but he’s taller than me now and I’m 5ft 4. He’s in age 13-14 clothes and a size 6 shoe. He’s always been on the taller side but he’s grown loads lately, I seem to have to buy him new clothes constantly!

If he was going through puberty but not growing taller….then id be more concerned. Bit it just looks like he’s a couple of years ahead of his peers. I wouldn’t worry

Could you ask for a telephone appointment to discuss with your GP? He doesn’t need to know about it, and hopefully you’d get some reassurance.

Every book and online resource I've read since becoming a parent states that boys can start puberty at 10 which surprised me because in my 45 years of life, I have never met a boy this young with any obvious signs (although admittedly I'm not paying that close attention). I'd have a chat with the GP for reassurance but I wouldn't worry about it too much.

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/early-or-delayed-puberty/
He is within the normal age range so I don't think there is anything to be worried about, but you could contact your GP for reassurance.

I haven’t seen a boy this young be this far into puberty either, especially given he’s only in the first term of year 6, I don’t want him to be bullied or feel self conscious especially because all the other boys are very much 10/11 year old boys with babyfaces etc and DS really does stand out

I think it’s early but in the realms of normal. Mine started puberty in year 6 and some of his friends who had dark hair had noticeable hair above the lip. Boys develop at such different rates. My nephew was about 5 foot 8 in year 6 (although an October birthday). He’s got a beard now at 14 and is 6 foot. And yet some other 14 year olds still look 11 because they’re hitting puberty later. It will even itself out but can take longer for boys than girls I think.

My 11 year old Grandson was like this at 9.. he's got loads and loads of dark public hair.. few spots. Under arm hair.. dark top lip.. hes 5ft 6 wears size 7 shoe. He has a peadiatrician because he's ASD and has problems with his feet and he says he's normal for his age. Nothing to worry about. It's evolution.
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