Is this puberty?

[mnahmnah]

My recently turned 10yo DS has been comparing the last few days about achey joints and limbs, headaches and a sweaty armpit (singular!). He’s never ill so this is unusual. The sweaty armpit got me wondering about puberty. He also started saying the end of his foreskin looks a little red. When I looked, he has long straggly hairs on his scrotum too.

Googling leads to very medical, factual info. Have any of you found with your sons that this is how puberty starts in boys? Does it all tie in do you think? Thanks!

Complaining, not comparing!

I think that all sounds pubescent. Especially if he's getting hairy. But I'd get him to watch the foreskin issue though, as that could need medical attention if it becomes both sore and tight.

Thank you. Yes I have always been aware of that as it happened to my brother as a child.

Is it retractable yet? If not he may have promises.

I meant phimosis.

All my three kids had pains and aches in their feet (especially heels) and limbs when in early puberty. Not surprising as my middle daughter is now 5'9" and my son at 15 is almost 6'2"! At 11 he was my height 5'5" so his growth has been tremendous over the last few years. Different kids have a different schedule for growth, my daughter seemed to do most of her growing in her 13th yr when she was literally transformed! With my eldest she was mega moody at 12 and I could do nothing right, I used to say silent or avoid her it was so bad! 😄 I thought "this must be it, I can now expect this for her teen yrs I suppose!" but she calmed down again within 12 months. She also was ravenous all the time and would accuse me of "starving" her after eating a ginormous dinner. She would tear up she was so hungry! It reminded me of pregnancy and that feeling of "I have to eat NOW!". She would eat two full dinners easily. Yet she was the most petite in the long run at 5'4". They definitely have aches, often get a bit pudgy/baby fat around 10-12 before a massive growth spurt. Like the body is gathering energy to transform!

Oh watch for growth in the feet. The feet will grow first to prepare to support limb growth. So if your son suddenly goes up a shoe size get ready. Then he'll probably need a new pair of shoes every 3-6 months for a least a couple of yrs if he is anything like my son.

All brilliant. Thanks. He has suddenly gone up in a shoe size. He usually lasts ages in shoes. He’s very very moody too. As for whether the foreskin is retracting, he’s not letting me check or touch it and won’t really try it himself. I can’t see any redness now and it’s not hurting him.

However, last night I heard him suddenly cry out and he said some stuff had come out - it was watery and whiteish. Google says normal???

He probably ejaculated. I’d recommend making sure that he can retract his foreskin asap so that he can clean underneath and so it won’t hurt him

He might be more comfortable visiting a male nurse or GP who can check him and explain how to do foreskin care. My DH did for our sons, but I can’t imagine them ever being comfortable with me seeing or touching them there at age 10. By then they wanted their privacy.

if His penis is red and sore and stings when weeing or abnormal discharge, see gp as it might be infection (balanitis) or urine/bladder infection.

I think this depends on the family. Some are really modest and wouldn’t dream of seeing eachotber nude and then some are very open

I agree but the OP said
He’s very very moody too. As for whether the foreskin is retracting, he’s not letting me check or touch it and won’t really try it himself. I can’t see any redness now and it’s not hurting him.

Which has me wondering if he’s desiring privacy?

Ah sorry yeah you’re right, I forgot about that part. He deserves privacy around that, especially if he doesn’t want to be touched. Even still if it becomes worse he needs to talk about it. Obviously it could be nothing. Tight foreskins can affect a boys self esteem and development

Thanks all. He lets me look at it and he’s happy to wash it properly. The slight ejaculation has happened a couple of my ones now. But it’s not hurting and not red. He seems to be able to retract it properly. So all much better thanks!