My oldest son is 11y4m and the smallest in his class so I thought we had a way to go before puberty, but I noticed when he was changing the other day that his genitals have changed a lot recently and he confided in me that he's started having about three erections a day, which he's embarrassed about and not sure how to manage. Of course he initiates this conversation the day after my husband left for 9 days. I made reassuring noises and we looked at a book about puberty together but it seems quite early to me. Is it on the early side? And does anyone know if wet dreams start quickly after this phase, or not necessarily? I did check that he knows about them so he won't be taken by surprise if it happens, but honestly I vaguely thought that the random erections/wet dreams stage was more like 14 than 11. Any advice from more experienced mothers of boys much appreciated! I have three boys, but he's the oldest.
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Bigearringsbigsmile · 24/03/2024 11:57
Of course your child started confiding in you about his erections!
HanHoggy · 28/03/2024 17:32
I’m shocked and saddened by this post. I think this is completely normal and reasonable thing for an 11 year old and 2 year old to bath together. My youngest DD 10 often shares a bath with my niece who’s 5 and nephew who’s 7 if they are staying over after a play date. Especially on holidays in the summer. Some of the best childhood memories I have with my kids is bath time together.
@consideringachange sorry about the general population.
Marblessolveeverything · 28/03/2024 18:16
Generally from a child protection point of view no an 11 year old naked with a toddler wouldn't be great.
My sons were given and expected privacy from around six or so. It isn't typical for a lad that age to be naked around younger children and may not be great if the toddler mentions it somewhat.
I appreciate others see no harm, but really for his own sake you are not really helping him with appropriate boundaries.
Marblessolveeverything · 28/03/2024 18:16
Generally from a child protection point of view no an 11 year old naked with a toddler wouldn't be great.
My sons were given and expected privacy from around six or so. It isn't typical for a lad that age to be naked around younger children and may not be great if the toddler mentions it somewhat.
I appreciate others see no harm, but really for his own sake you are not really helping him with appropriate boundaries.
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