How to Support Your Child During Hormonal Changes

Hormones are the body’s chemical messengers that regulate many functions, such as growth, metabolism, mood, and reproduction. They are essential for the development of children and adolescents during puberty. Puberty is when the body changes physically and emotionally to become an adult.

Different people may begin puberty at different ages. It usually starts between 8 and 14 years for girls and 9 and 15 years for boys. It can depend on genetics, nutrition, health, and the environment. Some of the common signs of puberty are:

Growing taller and heavier

Developing breasts, pubic hair, voice change, and other sexual characteristics

Changing body shape and composition

Having acne, oily skin, or hair problems

Experiencing mood swings, irritability, curiosity, or other emotional changes

As a parent, you may wonder how hormones affect your child’s health and happiness. You may also want to know how to help your child cope with the changes and challenges of puberty. Here are some tips to guide you:

Learn about puberty and hormones. You can read books, visit websites, or talk to a doctor or a counsellor for reliable information. You can also share this information with your child and answer their questions.

Help your child adopt a healthy lifestyle. This means eating various foods, staying active, getting enough sleep, and maintaining good hygiene. This can help prevent or reduce some problems that hormonal changes can cause, such as obesity, diabetes, osteoporosis, infections, etc.

Communicate with your child openly and respectfully. Listen to their feelings and concerns and offer support and advice. Avoid making fun of or criticizing their appearance or behaviour. Respect their privacy and limits.

Consult a doctor if your child shows any symptoms of unusual or extreme hormonal shifts. This could include starting puberty too early or too late, growing or gaining weight too much or too little, having severe acne or hair loss, having menstrual issues or irregularities, having mood disorders or suicidal thoughts, etc. These could indicate a medical condition or a mental problem that needs treatment.

Hormones are a vital part of your child’s growth and development. By knowing how they work and how they affect your child’s body and mind, you can help them go through this critical phase of life with confidence and ease.