In this episode of Parenting Matters, Rebecca Walsh discusses the complexities of parenting during the middle school years, focusing on the emotional and physical changes children experience. The conversation covers topics such as shifting friendships, hormonal changes, and the importance of community support for both children and parents. Walsh emphasizes the need for understanding and compassion as children navigate these transitions, encouraging parents to embrace their child's individuality and foster connections with others.

Takeaways

• Friendships often change during middle school due to identity shifts.
• Children's brains undergo significant changes during puberty.
• It's important for parents to understand hormonal changes start early.
• Support for early and late bloomers is crucial for self-esteem.
• Comparison among peers can be detrimental; every child develops at their own pace.
• Community support helps normalize the challenges of adolescence.
• Encouraging imaginative play is vital for emotional health.
• Parents should embrace their child's unique interests and passions.
• Understanding that hormonal changes can lead to mood swings is essential.
• Creating a supportive environment fosters resilience in children.

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• (00:00:00) - Parenting Matters: Real Talk From Kids to Teens
• (00:01:03) - Parenting Matters: Starting School
• (00:01:41) - How to Handle Your Child's Fear About School
• (00:08:41) - How to Prepare Your Child for School
• (00:13:22) - How to help a child with a new classroom transition
• (00:19:00) - How to Prepare a Child for a New School
• (00:21:21) - How to Encourage New Friends in Kindergarten
• (00:24:27) - Bedtime and Morning Routine
• (00:32:27) - Kindergarten Transition Advice
• (00:38:52) - Day in Review with Parent
• (00:40:19) - How to Prepare for a Child's First Year of School
• (00:44:36) - Podcast

Rebecca discusses the importance of open communication about puberty and body literacy with children with Konika Wong of Girl Power Science. They emphasize starting these conversations early (preschool!), using correct anatomical terms, and creating a positive narrative around menstruation. The discussion also covers how to navigate children's questions, the role of parents in body education, and the significance of empowering children with knowledge about their bodies and boundaries in order to avoid stigma and shame and to keep themselves safe. The conversation aims to shift the narrative from negative to positive, encouraging a healthier understanding of puberty and body changes.

More About Girl Power Science and Konika Wong:

Konika co-founded GPS (Girl Power Science) with her daughter to empower girls to navigate growing up with confidence. She is an author, body literacy specialist, and mom on a mission to reframe pubertal changes as superpowers. Based in San Francisco, she has been a puberty educator for 23 years. Her popular children’s books, One in a Million – A First Book About Periods and How to Tame a Tickle Monster – A First Book About Body Safety, are designed for kids ages 4 and up. Konika is passionate about starting these conversations early and breaking cycles of shame by celebrating growth.

Definition of Body Literacy:

Body literacy is the ability to understand and respond to your body's signals—starting with basic needs like thirst, hunger, tiredness, and bathroom cues, and growing into more advanced awareness around things like screen time, relationships, and intuitive eating.

As a body literacy specialist, Konika teaches classes that combine social emotional learning and science on a variety of topics including body safety, friendship skills, body image, and puberty.

Questions Answered in This Podcast:

When should I start conversations about puberty? My son has seen me in the bathroom when I was on my period and asked if I was hurt and I didn’t know how to respond-he is 3 yrs?

I heard that using correct anatomical names for penis, vagina, vulva etc can protect children against abuse but my husband is really uncomfortable with these terms-any advice?

In my family periods were a curse for women, there was so much talk about how awful pms was-how do I paint a more positive view for my daughter?

How do we respond to How did the baby get inside your tummy in a developmentally appropriate way. I don’t want to show I’m uncomfortable with the topic but don’t want to give the detailed sex ed talk to my preschooler either.

Takeaways

• It's never too early to start these conversations.
• The earlier we start, the easier it is for kids to understand.
• Kids can sense our comfort level with these topics.
• Using correct anatomical names empowers children against abuse.
• Creating a positive narrative around menstruation is...

• (00:00:00) - Introduction to Open Conversations About Puberty
• (00:02:54) - Starting Early: The Importance of Body Literacy
• (00:05:58) - Navigating Questions: How to Respond to Kids
• (00:08:59) - Creating a Positive Narrative Around Menstruation
• (00:11:57) - Understanding and Normalizing Periods
• (00:14:44) - Empowering Children with Body Knowledge
• (00:17:48) - Addressing Body Boundaries and Safety
• (00:20:47) - The Role of Parents in Body Education
• (00:23:50) - Flipping the Script on Negative Narratives
• (00:26:45) - Conclusion: Embracing Change and Growth