This summer has flown by. The days and weeks passed so quickly, I didn’t realize until I really took a look at Milo (who is on the verge of turning eight years old) just how quickly things can change over the course of three or four months. Over the summer, he lost four teeth, gained two very professional-looking adult front teeth, and grew two inches and a whole shoe size. I know this is only the beginning; his growth spurt is a sign of things to come, things that I wasn’t quite sure I was ready to broach with him just yet. Thoughts of the physical changes of puberty in a few years make me a little nervous — how do I talk to him about these things so that I don’t make him feel uncomfortable, and more importantly, how do I keep the lines of communication open so that he feels that no matter what, he can come to me with any and every question?
I think the answer lies partly in this book: The Boy’s Body Book, by Kelli Dunham, illustrated by Steve Bjorkman (p.s. — there’s also one for girls). The book is a general guide to questions relating to puberty, relationships, bullying, school pressure, peer pressure, healthy living, and stressful situations. What I like so much about this book is that yes, it gives boys good, straightforward answers to these questions, but it also gave me an idea of what to say when these questions come up. I like feeling like I’ll be ready for those questions!
With a new school year starting, this is the perfect book to give to a boy to help him feel a little more prepared for issues he might face in school. There’s a great section on healthy eating in school, good study habits, and also about tips on how to handle not getting along with a teacher. I found this last part interesting and helpful, and liked that the advice here (as well as throughout the whole book) continually encourages to communicate with parents about problems.
If you need to bring up an issue with a teacher, do it after class. Most teachers are more relaxed one-on-one than when they are dealing with a whole classroom of kids.
Sometimes it may feel like the problem is the teacher, when the real difficulty is that the subject they teach is one you don’t like or that you have a hard time with. If the class is hard for you, make sure the teacher knows you are doing your best.
The book also discusses added responsibilities of getting older, such as managing money, managing time, and how to navigate new relationships. But perhaps my favorite part of the whole book is the entire page devoted to a tricky emotion for boys. Is it okay to cry?
Can I tell you how much I love this page?! I wanted to yell, YES! out loud, hug my boys, tell the whole world to stop telling our sons that men don’t or shouldn’t cry, and then write a song about it.
You don’t have to stop all the tears. In fact, it’s really important to cry when you need to. Crying is a release of strong feelings, and if you don’t ever have that release, it can cause you problems in your mental and physical health.
It goes on to say that every boy should have a really good friend with whom he can cry and not be judged, and that he should be that friend to someone else. Also included in this magical page is the physiological side of crying and the release of chemicals the body is trying to rid itself of. Such a good advice, such good information!
The Giveaway: The kind and generous folks at Cider Mill Press are offering The Boy’s Body Book to one of our readers* for free! If you have a son, friend, cousin, grandson, neighbor, etc. who you think would enjoy this book, please enter by leaving a comment (make sure to leave your email address so I can contact you if you win). A winner will be chosen at random and announced on Saturday. The giveaway is open until 5pm CST on Friday, August 21st. Good luck, and thanks to Cider Mill Press for sending the book our way, as well as sending a copy to one of our readers!
*Giveaway open to U.S. and Canadian readers only. Sorry we cannot currently ship elsewhere!
**UPDATE** The winner of The Boy’s Body Book is KAC! Congratulations! I’ll email you shortly to get your address!
I am with you on the importance of crying… If only I could properly explain to W the difference between crying and whining!
Looks like a great book.
As the mother of an 8 year old boy, the book is on my list of “must read” books.
This looks like a great book, as the mother of a sensitive 7yr old boy a must have! We’re gearing up here for the coming school year and it would be great to have this to help navigate. Thanks for this post!
Count me in. I always love your book recommendations!
I have been so encouraged that in Rho’s schooling up to this point (preschool and kindergarten), they have been really supportive of his crying. And he cries A LOT. They always say that it’s OK, they ask whether it helps him feel better to cry, and similar phrases. His sensitivity is hard sometimes, but I hope when he’s an adult it can become a strength for him. This would be a great book for him as he grows.
This would be a great reference book for my 9 yr old!
This would be great reading material for my 10 year old son who is growing up all too quickly!
My oldest just turned 10 & boy would this book be a great help. We’ve tried to let him know we are here with any questions or concerns, but this book seems like it would greatly help my husband & I to find the right words.
My son is turning six in September, but it would be great to have this on deck! 😉
How cool is that!?! I would love to have a copy of this for my little guy. 🙂
What a terrific resource! My kiddo is almost 5 and with kindergarten right around the corner, I could use some ideas for how to help him navigate through the tricky times. Thanks Lauren, love your blog!
How fun! The book looks great… I could use all the help I could get with raising my boys!
I have 3 boys as well! All two years apart. Would love this I book! Thanks for the recommendation.
It’s a little early for my son to read a book like this (he can’t even read yet), but I’d love to start finding ways to talk about these issues in the future. Questions are already starting!
Excellent book– Thank you for the recommendation and offer! We are equally terrified and excited about who are little boy will grow-up to be and how we can help him navigate his adolescence. Thanks!