is this normal?
8 answers /
Last post: 18/04/2023 at 2:09 am
My son has just turned 10 in February and has been showing a few little puberty signs since about 8/ 9 last year. I noticed he had been growing small amounts of body hair around a week before his 9th birthday. He has no facial hair thank goodness (at his age anyway?!) and he is ginger haired so its easy to see! His hair has been a bit more greasier lately, he has always been thin and a bit tall for his age but lately has grown a bit more. He is very self conscious of photos and said about one “ aye mam I look wonky don’t post that!” He has a few spots on his forehead that definitely looks like acne and a small amount of small spots around his nose and under his eyes but I don’t know if this is because of his glasses rubbing against his face. I can’t smell much body odour but he just seems taller fast. I’m a tall woman but his biological dad is short so might take after me…🤣 his younger brother is shorter or average but is a year-2 years younger.. His stepdad thinks I’m going crazy but surely this isn’t normal?? He is 10 for goodness sake and the age when that started (8) doesn’t seem right. He is still a baby! He’s my crazy but loving baby and has such a personality!
I love him and can’t bear to see him grow up, dreading him leaving primary next year. I don’t know whether or not to mention anything to school as he keeps getting upset about getting dressed in PE in front of the other kids! It all feels so sad! He gets angry often and cries but latelt has been having the worst mood swings and has been having them for around a yeae now perhaps longer !! … Dreading his leavers assembly next yr and seeing him leave, him being 5/6 years old didn’t seem that long ago. He is quite young sometimes for his age and has emotional problems and we suspect autism or aspegurs so it is sad to see :( yep I’m an emotional wreck!!
also sorry if I seem silly or emotional some people on other forums have kind of told me in so many words that im being pathetic but im bound to worry or feel emotional 🥰🥰
Absolutely normal so try not to worry.
If it helps, I was shaving at age 10. Not every day, but at least once a week. I wasn't the only one at my primary school shaving, but I admit there weren't many of us.
When I started at secondary school, I was teased a bit for having hairy legs, hair on my chest, and "bum fluff" on my face, but I quickly shot that down by telling whoever that they were just jealous that I was a man and they were still a little boy!
My son started about the same age as me.
It's not abnormal, and in many ways it's better than starting puberty late. A friend of mine had a horrendous time as he didn't start till after he was 15, and he was terrified he'd never grow up, or that he was going to have to have hormone treatment (which back in the 1980s wasn't quite as good as it is today).
Basically, it's understandable that you're worried, but try to relax, and reassure your son that it's perfectly normal.
If it helps, I was shaving at age 10. Not every day, but at least once a week. I wasn't the only one at my primary school shaving, but I admit there weren't many of us.
When I started at secondary school, I was teased a bit for having hairy legs, hair on my chest, and "bum fluff" on my face, but I quickly shot that down by telling whoever that they were just jealous that I was a man and they were still a little boy!
My son started about the same age as me.
It's not abnormal, and in many ways it's better than starting puberty late. A friend of mine had a horrendous time as he didn't start till after he was 15, and he was terrified he'd never grow up, or that he was going to have to have hormone treatment (which back in the 1980s wasn't quite as good as it is today).
Basically, it's understandable that you're worried, but try to relax, and reassure your son that it's perfectly normal.
This is said in a loving way so please don't take it as me being mean spirited. When you're worried about your little boy growing up, remember the alternative. Not all children do.
It's what I kept in my head in those horror years of becoming and the teens. A friend of mine daughter died at that time who was 8. It kept me humble.
They do start these puberty things earlier. It's all normal. Deep breaths gal. Its perfectly normal and so are your feelings
Totally normal. I hated my 2 babies growing up, they're so cute, innocent and loving when they're little. Then they become teenagers and you get the moody strops, and the door slamming. But unfortunately i had to accept that it's not something we can control, and we just have to do our best to survive the teenage stage, with all that goes with it.
Your son's friends will soon start getting spots, BO, hair, voice changes etc etc.
He won't feel so different then. In the meantime you just have to be there for him, and enjoy being with the little boy that he still is. Make the most of it, and try not to worry.
We've all been there.
Hugs. x
I know exactly how you feel. My boy is also 10 and has been showing the same signs of puberty at the same age and I'm dreading him leaving primary 😫 but unfortunately it's apart of life 😩 just know that you are not alone in feeling this way 🙂 also, regarding the acne, I would advise to start him on a skin care routine before he goes to secondry school. Again, my son is the same as was I when I was his age and I never had a skin care routine which I now sorely regret as I got bullied relentlessly for it and have acne scars so i dont want that to happen to my DS (or any child really) I spoke to a boots assistant and she suggested a routine of face wash, cleanser, moisturiser and then a spot treatment that goes straight on the spots in the clean and clear range as it is the cheapest that actually works. I've got to say, just over a month later and it is working wonders. Its best to start now to get into a habit before secondry school and gives plenty of time to combat the acne before he goes. I'm sorry if you feel that is a step too far but I just don't want your DS to possibly get bullied like I did as kids can be cruel 😩
If it helps, I was shaving at age 10. Not every day, but at least once a week. I wasn't the only one at my primary school shaving, but I admit there weren't many of us.
When I started at secondary school, I was teased a bit for having hairy legs, hair on my chest, and "bum fluff" on my face, but I quickly shot that down by telling whoever that they were just jealous that I was a man and they were still a little boy!
My son started about the same age as me.
It's not abnormal, and in many ways it's better than starting puberty late. A friend of mine had a horrendous time as he didn't start till after he was 15, and he was terrified he'd never grow up, or that he was going to have to have hormone treatment (which back in the 1980s wasn't quite as good as it is today).
Basically, it's understandable that you're worried, but try to relax, and reassure your son that it's perfectly normal.
Completely normal. My 11 year old has a moustache. And dark hair in the usual places. I’m 5.5 and hub is 5.6 so we aren’t exactly tall. But as a child my hub was a head in height taller than all his peers. We are suspecting ‘precocious puberty’ which he’s currently being looked at …blood test and mri scan today. As he might just stop growing.
he also has bumpy acne spots on forehead, cheeks, nose etc. which I’m currently having him wash with neutrogena face wash.
he has horrendous BO most days.
puberty urghh
Absolutely normal so try not to worry.
Completely agree with you.