My kids are 6 and 3, and this was still helpful for me to hear today. I lost my cool with the 3yo this morning when she threw a cup of water after asking for it. (I banged the cup about the sink and slammed the medicine cabinet.) I apologized, and all was well, but I still felt yucky about it. I had forgotten, until I read this, that it's good for the kids to see my humanity and for me to take ownership of my actions. Also, the bit about just sitting and not trying to solve or even talk about it is powerful. It's hard for me to do, but giving the children time is a gift to them (and us, really).
Thank you so much for this post. As you know, my 12-year-old son looks 15 but still seems thoroughly uninterested in sexuality. Hearing that this is not just normal, but a documented phenomenon that’s different from how it was when we were teens, is immensely reassuring.
This was fascinating! My kids are only 5 and 7 but it was good to read. Why do they think puberty is longer now? Did something change science wise or culturally? or both?
The kid looking older than they are has already started happening with my oldest and even with my extended family who know his age I see expectations very out of line with him being newly 7 yo. Being tall doesn’t make kids mature!
My kids are 6 and 3, and this was still helpful for me to hear today. I lost my cool with the 3yo this morning when she threw a cup of water after asking for it. (I banged the cup about the sink and slammed the medicine cabinet.) I apologized, and all was well, but I still felt yucky about it. I had forgotten, until I read this, that it's good for the kids to see my humanity and for me to take ownership of my actions. Also, the bit about just sitting and not trying to solve or even talk about it is powerful. It's hard for me to do, but giving the children time is a gift to them (and us, really).
Thank you so much for this post. As you know, my 12-year-old son looks 15 but still seems thoroughly uninterested in sexuality. Hearing that this is not just normal, but a documented phenomenon that’s different from how it was when we were teens, is immensely reassuring.
This is so, so, so good and helpful. I’m forwarding it to my daughter and my niece immediately.
This was fascinating! My kids are only 5 and 7 but it was good to read. Why do they think puberty is longer now? Did something change science wise or culturally? or both?
In the book they talk about how the science is still pretty unclear on that -- but it's likely for lots of reasons. It's so interesting, I agree!
That's fascinating! Something I will read when I get closer to this phase.
The kid looking older than they are has already started happening with my oldest and even with my extended family who know his age I see expectations very out of line with him being newly 7 yo. Being tall doesn’t make kids mature!