Early onset of puberty.

[CosmicMum27]

I have an almost 10 year old DS (my only child) who seems to be going through early stages of puberty.

He's 4'10, has began to put on a small amount of weight, needs to use deodorant (a natural one of course) and whilst he's had the soft fine pubic hair for some time, he now has a few isolated darker/slightly thicker hairs.

After doing a little research online, it seems boys do begin to go through puberty between the ages of 9-14, so I'm sure this is normal.

He's chuffed about the propspect of becoming a man of course! But I am feeling slightly overwhelmed by the thought. Almost like a feeling of knowing he will not be 'my little boy' for too much longer, it's actually made me quite emotional the last few days!

I was wondering how other women cope emotionally during the transition from junior to pre-teen? I've found myself looking through his old baby photos with a strong 'where have the years gone' sense.

But at the same time, I am excited to see him grow into a wonderful young man, I just wasn't expecting these changes for a good few years yet!

Any advice, or just to know others Mum's have felt the same during this time, would be of immense relief...

Well one of my not quite 9 yr old twin sons certainly has the teenage BO already and the moodiness and the other (much skinnier one) has the "Whatever" attitude. Not quite as far on as your DS but I can see the precursors and like you, am already trying to prepare myself for the adjustment. The more developed DS is also into making crude and inappropriate jokes about sex!!!! and using language he shouldn't know/ use just to get a reaction from me. He's also asking questions like, "What if I'm not v good at sex Mummy? What if my wife divorces me?" This is all alongside other more childish behaviours and it's v surreal to see the man emerging inside the little boy.

I too was looking at photos of my twins today as they were as toddlers and it's almost as if they leapt from infancy to preteen in the blink of an eye, with no steady gradient - very unnerving. I guess it's because life is so busy since they've been born that years can pass without me having time to take stock and realise how much they're growing up....

So I don't really have any advice except to say your feelings sound normal and universal. I also notice in myself the increasing urge to buy a puppy dog (although the twins want one too) and think this may well be because my DCs are growing up so quickly and I'm looking for something else to 'baby' again!!

I have an 11yo DD who is hitting puberty hard atm.

I too am feeling very sad and OMG where has my little girl gone. Time has flown by and although 11 is about normal for girls I feel like its all happening a bit too fast for me.

Have an 8yo DD as well but also been feeling disturblingly broody the last few weeks! Hope I snap out of it soon.

My DD is nearly 13 and although she has just started her periods and has grown like a weed, she is still in essence a little girl who sleeps with her rabbit. They are still there!

My experience is almost identical to yours. My son is also 10yo. I find that I expect a lot of him, physically and emotionally, eg, extra chores, harder homework, expecting him not to show emotion at certain times, etc.

So although he looks more grown up than other 10 year olds, I have to be sensitive to him and remember that he is still a child. This is constantly repeated to other people who think that he is older than he actually is.