There comes a point in a mom’s life when she has to accept that her child is growing up. This can be difficult for a mom, who still thinks of her child as a little baby and toddler. However, the time comes when those thoughts are no longer an option, and this can come at different times for every mom.
While it can be different for every mom, one of the common times when moms realize this is when their child starts to go through changes due to puberty. Puberty is a complex concept, and it always seems to creep up on mom before she is ready, however, she may fail to remember that this is impacting her child too.
Regardless of whether mom has a tween boy, or girl, they are going to have to help their child navigate the changes that are happening. The only way that mom can do that is if she has a thorough understanding of what is happening in their child’s body. By looking at the hormonal changes in tween boys and girls, moms can speak from a more educated stance, and help their child through it.
We are going to lay out when these changes happen, why they happen, and what the outcome will be for both boys and girls who are going through these changes.
Overall Hormonal Changes
While it is easy to think of the “sex” hormones that kick in at puberty, that is not the only hormones that are at work. When a tween, boy or girl, enters this stage of their development, they will experience changes to their growth hormones and stress hormones. This is a time of rapid growth for tweens, and they need the hormones in their body to work to support it.
They are also going to have stress hormones at work. Tweens, as they gear up to be teenagers, are often described as “moody,” or accused of having an “attitude,” but this may not be completely their fault. The hormones that are responsible for stress and mood are changing and evolving, and it can cause some intense feelings in your tween.
When Do Hormones Change In Boys?
The very first thing that we have to look at is when we can expect these changes to happen. The timeline will likely be different for every child, as they still develop at their own pace. According to Caring For Kids, hormonal changes can be expected anywhere between age 9 and 14 in young boys. This could be earlier for some boys, and later for others.
Experts agree that parents should not worry about a child who appears to be a “late bloomer,” as delayed puberty is not always something to be concerned about. If mom and dad are concerned, they can reach out to their child’s doctor.
When Do Hormones Change In Girls?
It has always been said that girls mature faster than boys, and there may be some truth to that. According to Cleveland Clinic, hormones start changing earlier in girls, but again, it may be at their own pace. The hormones in girls can start to mature up to 2 years earlier than in boys, and it usually starts around age 8 and can last until the age of 13.
Interesting work has found that Black and Hispanic girls also tend to start puberty earlier than White girls.
What Hormones Are Changing In Boys?
It is also important that mom knows what hormones are changing so that she can have an educated conversation with her child. According to KidsHealth, when we are looking at tween boys, the main hormone that is being developed is testosterone. Testosterone in boys will kick in, and it is what causes the hormonal changes in boys.
However, it is not the only one. Boys and girls both that luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), but when the changes start, they go to work differently depending on which body they are in. If your tween is a boy, the hormones will work differently than if you had a daughter. The human body really is amazing.
What Hormones Are Changing Girls?
Like we said earlier, the LH and the FSH hormones are going to work in girls at this time, but there are other hormones that are going to work in a tween girl’s body.
According to Merck Manual, when the hormones start to change in a girl, they will also start producing estrogen. Estrogen is what will cause physical puberty changes. When girls are born, their levels of LH and FSH are quite high, due to the mother, but they do level out, and then they don’t rise again until puberty, and this also applies to baby boys.
Hormonal Changes In Boys
Now that we have a basic understanding of what hormones are changing, and at what age they will, we can now take a deeper look at what will change during this time. According to Hopkins Medicine, boys will experience a lot of physical changes during this time. The first thing they will notice is that their scrotum, penis, and testicles will start to grow larger. They will also notice that they are gaining pubic hair.
They will also have a more mature physique. They will get taller, their shoulders will get broader, and they will have their voice changed. Boys may struggle with the changes, but as long as they know that these hormonal changes are normal, they should be OK.
Hormonal Changes In Girls
Hormonal changes in girls work similarly, and they will bring about the changes you would typically see in a girl at this age. According to Stanford Medicine, the hormones are going to cause her breasts to bud, which is often the first sign that the changes are happening. They will start growing pubic hair, and then the arrival of their first menstrual cycle will start.
Girls will also notice that their body is changing, and becoming more mature, and they need similar support that boys will need when going through this time. Hormonal changes in girls may also bring some emotional challenges and struggles that moms will have to support and help their children work through.
Sources: Caring For Kids, KidsHealth, Hopkins Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Merck Manual, Stanford Medicine