The Talk Before It Is Needed

Where to start

• Start talking about puberty early, briefly and in passing, before it’s urgent.
• Start talking about puberty early, briefly and in passing, long before anyone in the family has an urgent reason to. When a seven-year-old asks why her older cousin’s voice sounds different, answer her then and there. Do the same when an eight-year-old comments on the bra on the washing line: “Yes, that’s what bodies do as they get older. It happens to everyone. We can talk about it more if you want.” Then move on to something else. She has the information, and she knows it’s a subject the family doesn’t flinch at.

The rest of the tip, with more to try and why it works, is in the library.

It goes with

• The Conversations Parents Avoid. For parents who need to tell their child something hard and don’t know how to start.

The first chapter you open here is free to read in full.

Free on this subject

• Difficult conversations. What to do first, what helps, and who else can help. Free to read and to print.
• Child development. What to do first, what helps, and who else can help. Free to read and to print.