Puberty (10 year old boy)

[DumbleDork]

Is 10 too early for puberty in boys?

My DS will be 11 over the summer and I think it’s starting. He was 4 foot 8 this time last year with size 3 feet, he’s now 5 foot with size 5 feet. He’s getting spotty frequently with oily skin and hair. Then smells differently as odd as that sounds, mostly when he’s hot but it’s definitely different.

He’s also quite hairy on his legs and a bit under his arms, it’s very fair but then hes a blonde lad anyway. He says he’s the same in the private’s but obviously we respect his privacy and haven’t checked this.

Over the weekend his voice kept “squeaking” too then back to his normal voice.

Surely he’s far too young for all this?! I’m certain my husband (sons father) said he was about 13/14 before anything other than height and spots changed for him!

Any ideas on how to chat to him about this or anything as I think he’s embarrassed as keeps locking doors etc when changing / showering etc. Obviously wouldn’t walk in as it’s his space but want to assure him it’s nothing to be embarrassed about

Locking doors is normal. He's growing up and wants privacy. It doesn't mean he's embarrassed. I assume he already knows about puberty and what changes will happen? If so I'd just let him know that he can always talk to you or his dad if he has any worries and let him get on with it.

When I was in year 7 about 20 odd years ago there were boys who had clearly gone through puberty before they started secondary. 10 is in the realms of normal.

10 is perfectly normal. My son is 11 (12 in March) and is 5 ft 7 with size 9 feet. His voice has broken. He has full hair 'down below' and his poor pretty face is covered in zits and blackheads. He bloody stinks if he forgets his deodorant. His calves are bigger than his dads.

Whilst he is probably one of the more developed Y7 kids (talking about boys here) at his school he certainly isn't the most.

He likes his privacy now and that's fine and understandable. We don't talk a lot about it, but we do have to remind him a lot about hygiene and I try to help him with the spots issues and he has his own 'products' (like his own mouthwash, deodorant, shampoo, face wash, clearasil type stuff) so it feels like treat him like an individual and he doesn't have to share stuff with his little brother.

He might look 15 but he's still a young boy and it can be quite hard to get a balance. He has a book - can't remember which - which addresses puberty with drawings and explanations which we gave him as well. He was too embarrassed to look at it with me which is fine. They should have some kind of Sex Ed in Y6.

My just turned 9 year old is tall with size 4 feet. He has greasy hair and smelled sweaty in the summer. He also has hairy legs (although they are blonde like your sons). So I don't think 11 is early.