If you have a pre-teen young man, this is a great resource to help him understand what to expect as he moves out of childhood. Not only is the information good and on-target, it opens the door to discussions which might be difficult to approach in a vacuum.
Topics, of course, include body changes and what to expect; however, also included are sections dealing with school and ways to approach learning, family dynamics and changing expectations as one gets older, changing feelings and friends--relationships and the future.
Interesting, each time I tell Casey we're going to read more in it, his first reaction is to groan which means that he really doesn't want to take the time to do it. But...within a couple minutes he is totally absorbed as he relates to what is being read--it is meaningful to him as he recognizes his own questions and confusions. Because I am lucky and he is comfortable talking about things with me, he will ask questions and pursue his thoughts.
The other night we were reading about body changes requiring hygiene care, cracking voices, and shifting moods. He really associated with the shifting moods as he readily recognized himself.
The biggest surprise with the book, though, is its curative properities--serving as pharmacist and physician. I learned this yesterday when I picked Casey up from school.
He was dragging, looked sadly depressed and complaining of a sore throat and upset stomach. Talking was out of the question. He was just in a funky mood. Of course, I panicked as it is unthinkable that he would get sick before the D.C. trip and the inauguration.
Fortunately, after a couple games on the Wii, two pages of vocabulary homework and resisting the need to lay down and rest, he was miraculously improved and ready for his karate lesson.
His explanation of his sick to well journey was "Gramma, it must just have been puberty. You know--mood and body changes."
Whatever.......I am just happy that he is well and all is OK here in our household.
2 comments:
Thanks for the heads-up about this book. I found the girls version today and I hope it will be a big help!
Rebecca, I was pretty sure there was a girl's version. I think you will find it to be very good. There is also another good book Titled: What's the Big Secret--Talking about Sex with Girls and Boys by Laurie Krasny Brown. It is very good to begin understanding sex/babies, etc before the playground version sets in.
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