The best way to help your child through this stage is not to make a particular fuss about it. Avoid teasing, as this may add to the ribbing your son may already be receiving at school. This doesn’t mean that you ignore the changes or pretend like they’re not happening. Rather, it’s important to step forward if you sense your son is experiencing any discomfort and to answer questions that he might otherwise be reluctant to ask. If your child is experiencing delayed puberty, reassure him that he will eventually catch up. By contrast, if he’s an early bloomer or in the throes of a cracking voice, accentuate the positive and introduce him to things like shaving or other rituals of approaching manhood. Boys undergoing puberty are not inherently stinky. Rather, they’ve simply been caught off guard as bacteria begin to proliferate in parts of their bodies that were once relatively moisture-free. As a parent, you can help your son by:
Introducing him to antiperspirant or deodorantMaking sure he showers regularly, paying extra attention to washing his underarms and groinEnsuring that he changes his underwear and T-shirts dailyGiving him cotton or other natural-fiber underwear that are more absorbent
These emissions can occur well before pubic hairs emerge. They are simply your son’s body’s response to a sudden and profound increase in testosterone levels. This hormonal change can cause boys to experience sudden and frequent sexual desires along with regular and sometimes spontaneous erections. With the testicles now able to produce sperm, nocturnal emissions are totally normal, as is the desire to masturbate, sometimes frequently. Avoid showing disapproval or ridiculing these experiences in any way. Instead, explain what these changes mean. Don’t press your son on the issue, but let him know that he can come to you for advice if needed. You may also want to give your son an extra set of bed linens so that he can discreetly change his sheets if they become soiled.
