12 year old son

Savvy_Sue

ka7e wrote: »

It also gave them the knowledge of what wasn't normal which allowed one of them to recognize a potentially serious problem, tell me about it, and seek medical attention.

Even without having given a book I was ... erm ... pleased isn't quite the right word, work it out for yourself ... when one of mine said "I've got a lump on my testicle" as we drove home after he'd been away for a week. :eek:

"Ooooooookaaaaaaaaay. How long's it been there?"

"Dunno. Quite a while."

"Is it getting bigger?"

"Dunno. I think so."

"Have you googled 'lump on testicle'?"

"Oh yes."

"So you'll know that this isn't necessarily anything serious, but if it is, the sooner we do something about this, the less serious it's likely to get."

"Yeah."

"So would you like me or your father to take you to the doctor?"

"Don't mind."

With a huge internal sigh of relief I sent him with his dad. And it was his dad who took him off to have an ultrasound (NOT in the maternity dept, I'm pleased to say!)

But it was me who had to phone and hassle for the results! When the GP phoned back he would only speak to my son, which I was pleased about, because they're his bits, and although he'd shared what he needed to, I'm sure he doesn't want EVERYONE knowing EVERYTHING about them, and he then had the choice of what to tell me from his conversation with the GP. And it's nothing to worry about, but very sensible to get it checked out!

So, even though your mum is the most embarrassing person on the planet, it may be less embarrassing to discuss your bits with her than with your dad. After all, there's no competition between a son and his mother, the son will always be able to wee higher up a wall ...

Timmne

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

the son will always be able to wee higher up a wall ...

That's a challenge I'll not be accepting thankyouverymuch.

Although I'll tell my brother in law.....

sylphraven

I think having a relationship where your son knows he can talk to either yourself or his dad is crucial. The earlier he knows this the better, & cover any info you think he needs to know as opportunities arrive.

Myself & my siblings were very lucky that from an early age we could, & did ask our parents anything, even though it did embarrass my mom at times. I made a concious decision to carry this on with my lads. My eldest knew more about periods than most male adults by the time he was 3. By the time he was 7 he knew all about the physical changes both boys & girls go through during puberty & about pregnancy. He only didnt know about the act of conception. That was until a couple of months later when we told him I was pregnant & he said that though he knew how fish bred (dont you love discovery channel!) but how did I get pregnant as I didnt lay eggs. That led easily into explaining, simply as I could about s*x & a little about contraception - he looked at me like I was mad, lol. I just hope this attitude continues when he reaches the embarrasing years of puberty.