Adolescents in puberty spend a few years on a pathway that is new to them. It is almost as if they are walking through a “puberty tunnel” and they don’t know where it is going to take them.

If you have a son, you realize that puberty seems to be a more silent journey than what we think of with our girls. But is it really?

As puberty is upon them, our sons begin to experience spontaneous erections that happen at very inconvenient times and are out of their control. Can you imagine the embarrassment?

They might have had erections in the past but now the erections can be accompanied by an ejaculation! They are confused and a little frightened by the presence of fluid coming out of their penis. It is especially concerning when it happens at night as a wet dream (nocturnal emission).

During the early days of puberty, boys experience emotional changes that slowly overtake their minds and their emotions. Their brains are rapidly developing and dopamine is driving them to new competitive heights. Even their feelings toward girls are changing. They also begin to take more pride in their appearance. For many boys this is truly something different!

It can be a little dark in the tunnel from time to time.

What our sons need is knowledge about what is happening to them so they can be confident, support even when they are being difficult, and the encouragement to know that when they have finished the process they will be young adults who are ready to go out into the world and make a difference.

There is a bright tomorrow at the end of the puberty tunnel!