Book Review
A short overview of this book
The Parents’ Guide to Puberty by Cath Hakanson is my newest book on puberty. My earlier books, Girl Puberty and Boy Puberty have been merged into this book, revised and updated and with a new Q&A section added to the back.
I wrote this book because I couldn’t find a resource that helped parents with talking. There are lots of books on puberty that have been written for kids, but hardly any have been written for parents. So this book was written to help parents in getting started with the puberty talk. It tells parents, what to say, when to say it and how to say it.
You can learn more on this page, about how to talk to kids about sex education.
Ideal Age
Ideal for parents of kids aged between 8 and 14 years of age.
Buy this book
✅ Buy a copy of The Parents’ Guide to Puberty by Cath Hakanson from Amazon or at the Sex Ed Shop.
Video Transcription
A transcription in case you are more of a reader than a listener
Hey there! Welcome to Sex Ed Rescue, my YouTube channel where I review books and provide resources to help parents with sex education. If you’re looking for guidance on talking to your kids about puberty, you’ve come to the right place!
Let me introduce you to my book, which is actually a combination of two books. When I first wrote them, I noticed that parents often bought both books together. So, I decided to merge them into one comprehensive guide. The content is quite similar, but I added a Q&A section at the back with over 100 questions that your child might ask. It even tells you how to answer them!
The book is organized in a logical way, starting with a simple explanation of what puberty is and how it works. Don’t worry, I’ve written it in everyday language that’s easy to understand. Then, I cover topics like why and when to talk to your child about puberty, the changes that will happen, and how to start the conversation. Oh, and there are illustrations too! They can be really helpful, especially when explaining things like menstruation and body parts.
I’ve put a lot of research into this book, so you can trust the information. For example, if your child asks when they’ll start growing armpit hair, you can find the answer right here. I’ve broken down the changes that happen to bodies with penises and bodies with vulvas, covering ages nine to twelve and ages nine to fifteen. It’s all presented in a simple and easy-to-digest format.
Puberty isn’t just about physical changes, though. It’s also about navigating new feelings and learning how to take care of a changing body. That’s why I discuss topics like skincare, body odor, voice changes, periods, and even online safety and sexual attraction. I want to make sure you have all the information you need to support your child through this important stage of their life.
At the back of the book, you’ll find some valuable quotes that parents have found helpful. They remind us that everyone is different and that it’s okay for bodies to start puberty at different times. I’ve also included tips on how to start the conversation about puberty, as well as how to address your values and beliefs when it comes to topics like sexual intercourse.
I’m really proud of this new expanded edition of the book. It’s visually appealing, well-organized, and has that extra Q&A section. It’s just under 200 pages, so it’s not overwhelming. And hey, if you already have the previous versions of the books, let me know and I’ll send you a printable copy of this new edition.
One more thing, the language in this book has been updated to be more inclusive in terms of gender. I believe it’s important to provide information that is relevant and respectful to all individuals.
I hope this summary has been helpful for you. If you have any questions or need further support, feel free to reach out. Cheers!
