Becoming a teenager comes with a lot of massive changes. It can feel as if your body is moving faster than your mind sometimes. It’s easy to feel alone but remember everyone goes through it. It’s super awkward but talking about the changes your body is going through can help put your mind at ease.
All bodies and minds are different – you might find yourself developing slower or faster than your friends. No matter what, all changes are normal and should be embraced. Comparing yourself to others will only make things harder. And trust me, things don’t need to be harder.
If you're feeling uncomfortable or confused about the things happening, talking to an adult will probably feel like the worst thing in the world – you can always reach out to friends or find help online. Having an open and healthy conversation about this uncomfortable topic can help you understand that all these changes are completely normal and expected.
Growing up is never easy. You might miss how easy being a child was. But remember these changes mean you are growing and setting you on the path to becoming independent.
You may feel more irritable than usual, snapping at friends or family. It’s completely okay and natural to be aggravated and overwhelmed, it is all part of becoming a teenager.
Remind your parents, siblings and guardians that when you lash out it is not a personal attack, it’s just a reflection of how confused you are feeling. It’s important to create an understanding and healthy environment, where everyone feels comfortable to express how they are feeling.
Puberty can make you feel alone – you may feel like no one understands your thoughts and emotions (sometimes, including yourself). However strong these feelings are, talk to someone you know will understand them, could be a friend, parent or teacher.
There’s no denying this is a scary and overwhelming time in your life, however opening up to others about the changes you're experiencing can help make it a little easier to cope.
Change your perspective and uncover a way forward for you!
S.E.X: The All-You-Need-To-Know Sexuality Guide to Get You Through Your Teens and Twenties by Heather Corinna The go-to sex ed guide tackling everything you want to know about sex, from consent, safe sex, emotional health and more.
HelloFlo: The Guide, Period.: The Everything Puberty Book for the Modern Girl
From the founder of HelloFlo, a modern and insightful guide to periods and puberty for a new generation.
Boyfriends & Girlfriends : A Guide to Dating for People with Disabilities
Boyfriends & Girlfriends explains the do's and don'ts of dating and validates your normal, age-appropriate desire for companionship and romance.
Great Films
Eigth Grade
Kayla Day, is in the eighth grade. She is introverted but also posts videos about self-confidence online. Soon, she realises she is not the person she is pretending to be and has to accept that.
Boyhood
The joys and pitfalls of growing up are seen through the eyes of a child named Mason, his parents, and his sister. This movie was filmed over a 12 year period. It's great.
Inside Out Eleven-year-old Riley moves cities, leaving behind her life behind. She and her five core emotions, Fear, Anger, Joy, Disgust and Sadness, struggle to cope with her new life.
Planet Puberty
This podcast is for parents and carers of children with intellectual disability and/or autism spectrum disorder, giving them the latest information, strategies and resources for supporting their child through puberty.
Talking to Teens
Parent-teen researcher Andy Earle talks with various experts about the art and science of parenting teenagers. Again, this is a podcast for parents. But if you are a teen, this is your chance to find out the secrets.
The Puberty Prof Interested in learning or remembering about what happens during puberty and adolescence? Then listen to the Puberty Prof Podcast with Lori Reichel, a nationally recognized health educator.
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