How much does your son know about an ejaculation? Why does he think he is having such intense emotional reactions? Does he understand why his thoughts and dreams have become increasingly sexual?

If your son is ten years and older, he needs answers to these questions. Your response might be that you have tried to teach him, but he is unwilling to talk about any of these topics. I understand the situation you are in, but he still needs to learn this information.

For years, parents have relied on the school sexual education curriculum to teach their kids and many programs have been very good. But I continue to believe that parents need to be in these conversations with their sons as well. Recent studies have backed me up. College students who had these talks with their parents were more confident and positive about sexual topics.

There are many great resources available to parents and my mission has been to partner with you to provide accurate and useful information for your kids.

Here is my plan for your son.

• Begin as early as 8 years old teaching your son about his reproductive system. This is a foundation of knowledge that you can build each year. He will be entering puberty in the next year or two, so keep the conversations going and it will become more comfortable for both of you.
• By the time your son is 11 years old, many of the early signs of puberty will be obvious. These signs include a change in body odor, hair in new places like the armpits and genitals (pubic hair), and the beginning of pimples on his face and back. You will also notice a change in his emotions because of a rapid time of development happening in his brain. It is time to talk about puberty and the changes happening in his body.
• Each boy is unique in how his body develops, but by about 13 years old, puberty is typically in full swing. He will grow taller by several inches in what seems like just a few months. He might experience his first wet dream and wonder if it is normal. Sexual thoughts and dreams will distract him. Through all of this, he will be bombarded by easy access to media and internet information that is not always accurate or helpful. He needs you to help him navigate through the confusion and help him understand the new feelings he is experiencing.

My I’m a Boy books provide a structural framework for your conversations with your son at each of these important developmental milestones. There are also valuable resources like videos and blogs available on my website, www.anatomyforkids.com, to help you understand your son’s needs at different ages and support your parenting needs.

The puberty years are challenging for boys and their parents. Let’s make sure your son is prepared and informed.