Yes, this is what my 10-yr-old says he will be taking this year. I said, are you sure it’s not sex ed? He says, no, it’s “puberty class”. While I of course had to chuckle at the notion, I also know that my son is approaching this inevitable part of childhood. The part of childhood that is confusing not only for the child going through it, but also the parent of the child! How do you talk to your child about the changes your child is experiencing when you aren’t even sure of exactly what they are. You just remember how your pre-teen years left your hormones going in all directions and rapid body changes.

He got his first zit this weekend. He says, mom, what is this? Once again, my chuckle & I said Bryce, you know what that is, it’s a zit. He says, nuhuh - it looks like something bit me. I suppose because it was on his collar bone & not his face. I used to get my mom to pop the ones that weren’t on my face. And so how the story goes (even though he was scared of the pain) he prodded me on occasion until we were both struggling & laughing until I eventually got to it. Of course I told him to leave it alone. I tell myself that with my own occasional breakouts even though I only sometimes listen.

He’s got to wear deodorant now. I’m not sure about any hairs popping up anywhere, nor do I want to think about that. I’m afraid I’ll blink and there will a grown man standing before me. Did I mention he’s only 10 & I am not prepared to deal with these changes?

So as much as things change (like having puberty class, which I think the parents need a personal invite to), things stay the same. Just like I had to go through all the physical and emotional changes of becoming an adult, so will my children and just like my parents were, I will be front row, stage and center.