Can it mean puberty has begun, thirteen old is up at all forsaken hours secretly doing laundry, suddenly very moody and emotional, there is no hard evidence that puberty has begun, no voice change or growth spurt just a sudden change in attitude.
I would like to thanks to everyone for their suggestions, over the years we have been very open with our kids and answer all their questions frankly, we have had the "talk" in various forms over the years, but i assume that actually being in puberty seems to be a bit embarrassing for him, i took some advice given here and gently asked why he was doing laundry, and he lit up a Christmas bulb, so i assured him it was alright if he had a wd, and that it would be better if he did his laundry at a more appropriate time, he didn't say very much though, I did catch a glimpse of him coming out of the shower unknowing to him of course, it was purely accidental and oh boy he def is going through puberty, so that's where we are are at for now, apparently the ride has begun. And I really love the idea of leaving extra sheets in his room.
Here's a book you can buy from Amazon:
What's Going on Down There?: Answers to Questions Boys Find Hard to Ask
Of course - there are plenty of signs of puberty that you can't see, and I'm guessing that no 13 year old lets his parents (especially his mother) see him naked, so he could have pubic hair and you wouldn't know.
If he's washing laundry, especially sheets, underwear or towels, my guess is that he is doing totally normal things, namely masturbating and having wet dreams. Please get a good book for young teens and sit down with him (or have his father or other trusted male do so) and give him info he needs so that he is not embarrassed. He needs to do laundry openly (great that he is learning and taking responsibility) and he absolutely needs to sleep at night. If he's embarrassed or thinks he's ill or having abnormal thoughts and reactions, of course it's going to affect his mood and emotions.
Poor guy. He needs a responsible, educated, calm, adult approach.
I have two boys, nothing made them do laundry
Um...yes...I suspect puberty has MORE than begun.
As some have suggested, find a trusted male that can at least BE there to answer the myriad questions this 13 year old must have regarding his body.
In the meanwhile, get a PILE of fresh sheets for him to keep near his bed for quick changes as needed. Also, get a laundry basket for any 'soiled' sheets. Have him collect other dirty laundry, and assist with laundry during more convenient hours.
Some changes during puberty, especially for young men, are sporadic and 'un-predictable.'
Please find a trusted male friend/family member to discuss these perfectly natural changes. It appears you are either un willing or un able to do so.
Best
Yep, make sure you are understanding and as a family, he can speak with you or dad anytime.. No preaching,no teasing, no judgement..
Does he have a book about the changes going on with is body, feelings etc?
A.
Welcome to mamapedia!!
I hope you are TALKING WITH YOUR SON!!! There is so much going on in his body and mind - you really need to talk WITH him - not TO him - WITH him and find out what is going on.
I CANNOT stress enough how important it is that you LISTEN to him and let him know there isn't ANYTHING he can't tell you. YOU ARE HIS SAFE PLACE.
Ask him what's going on. Why is he doing laundry? Don't ACCUSE - ASK.
Tell him if he's not comfortable talking with you - he can talk with his dad or his doctor. No questions needed. He NEEDS to know your door is OPEN to him!
Sure.
But it's more likely puberty started closer to 8 yrs old (there's a testosterone surge at about that age), and/or when ever he started to get arm pit hair and use deodorant (I really hope he's using deodorant by now).
He's doing laundry - yea! - as long as he's doing it anyway he might as well do some other loads too (full loads don't waste water like washing only a few things at a time does).
I just don't relate well to 'moody'.
If he's in a pissy mood then he needs some hard physical labor to give him time to think and sweat it out.
Time for him to clean out the garage, mow the lawn, chop some wood, wash the cars, haul mulch, etc - something constructive.
It'll help him sleep better at night too.
Most likely.
(When your laundry is all done, can he do mine? Lol
I have a 12 year old and I am now praying intensely that his puberty includes laundry!!!)
um.
yes.
khairete
S.
I should hope so - he's 13. It's time.
Yes, he's actually late starting puberty. A lot of kids are done by age 13.
Updated
Yes, he's actually late starting puberty. A lot of kids are done by age 13.
LOL... YES !!! I have a 13 year old and YES it IS puberty.... my son, although still even-tempered can get a little moody... in my case, my son sleeps more than ever, is having a growth spurt and has had no signs of voice change, yet.. 13 is definitely a time when puberty can hit..
the forsaken hours, could be your son's body trying to adapt to the hormonal changes going on and even if you don't see physical changes.. the innerworkings of the body can be at play here..
Yes, thirteen is typically the age at which this stuff begins. Hang on for the ride!
And if the topic of masturbation has never come up in your family or your son has never heard it mentioned openly -- it's pretty openly discussed in pop culture; most comedians joke about it -- someone should mention to him that it's normal.
