My husband (Sams dad) died when Sam was 3 (he's just turned 11). My mum has him when i'm in work (after school) therefore he has no male influences. Sam is a good boy in genral who loves playing football & is very particular in his appearence.
However he has been behaving strange recently,
He has become very shy about his body, If he watches tv with me in just his boxers (after a shower) he will put a pillow over his lap, he also insists on loading the machine with his washing (not that i mind this). & yesterday I caught him weeing on a tree in the garden (which is quite large & seculded).
Has anybody experienced this or have any advice for me?
I thought that he may be starting puberty early, but my mum says that he is too young & little looking.
Whats with the modesty then weeing in outside?
Should I be worried?
2006-11-18 07:33:46 · 19 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Adolescent
My appologies if this Q appears elsewhere. I put it in the wrong section & I am trying to rectify my mistake
Diane
2006-11-18 07:34:44 · update #1
11 is not too young to be hitting puberty, and it sounds like that's exactly what's going on.
I have an 11 year old son, and he exhibits some of the same traits .... more shy about his body now in front of us, which is only to be expected. More introverted in most ways. At this age they're not only changing hormonally in a major way, but their thought processes are changing drastically .. from being a little kid to being a young man.
I wouldn't worry about it, really. I would however ask someone else for age related information about your son, instead of your mother, since her misinformation seems to be the cause of your confusion.
2006-11-18 07:37:22 · answer #1 · answered by Jaded 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
sounds like SAM in entering puberty and he is doing very normal things for a boy his modesty will come and go like when he changes for say swimming he may have no modesty at all but if you should happen to walk in on him while changing then he is all embarrassed. as for the weeing in bushes well that is a man thing heck i am 46 and still do that if i can get away with it, hehe bottom line he is normal if you know a "trusted" male maybe you can have him have a talk with SAM. I wouldn't have this come out like "the talk" but more casual.
2006-11-18 16:29:43 · answer #2 · answered by jemc7 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think puberty is the right answer. Because of good nutrition it is occurring at younger ages for both boys and girls. He might be having nocturnal emmissions and is embarrassed by the stains. He might also be covering erections with his pillow which at this age seem occur for no reason at all. Shyness also seems to be more evident at this age as body changes and awareness become noticed by the child. Sounds like time for a good talk. If you are too embarrassed to do it yourself, perhaps a male relative or friend would do it for you?
2006-11-18 15:40:00 · answer #3 · answered by punxy_girl 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i think it sounds asthough he is starting puberty i know he is only 11 but all children are different. the modesty is something all children go through when they realise the difference between male and female. have you considered that he may have overheard friends yalking about puberty and is just trying out how it might feel ? i have 2 boys aged 10 and 13 my eldest one is in puberty at the moment and has exactly the same symptoms.
2006-11-18 16:46:24 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nothing odd at all with the privacy thing. Remember to knock when you enter his room. He cares about his appearance, so if you can afford to, buy him a nice dressing gown to wear after his shower. Also maybe some deodorant even though he doesnt need it! It will make him feel grown-up and help him make sense of the changes he may be feeling.
2006-11-22 12:09:03 · answer #5 · answered by judipod 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Let him know that it's ok to want that kind of privacy. He is starting to change and doesn't want any fuss about it as it's hard enough to deal with anyway. Does he not have a grandad that he can go to about this stuff if he needs to? I think you're doing fine just being the watchful mum and letting him deal with it within reason.
2006-11-19 02:46:40 · answer #6 · answered by stress-'ead 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it definitely sound like the start of puberty to me,i wouldn't worry about his behaviour too much,they tend to get a bit shy when things start to change in there body's.are you sure he was urinating, and not doing something else. maybe you should have a little talk to him about the facts of life, mind you they tend to know more than we did at there age. just let him have his privacy and don't worry.
2006-11-18 15:50:10 · answer #7 · answered by aunty m 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
there nothing wrong in the way he is acting, he is just beginning to grow up, leave him to sort out his own Modesty, let him be comfortable in his own way, give him some privacy, as for peeing up the tree he probably couldn't be bothered to come inside at that moment,most boy's i know have peed up something outside. you could always let him join a boy's football team or swimming team. good luck his quite normal......
2006-11-18 15:43:39 · answer #8 · answered by twinsters 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't worry he is just growing up ask at school if any change in behaviour remember us men are strange folk have a informal chat has he got any uncles how might be able to help
2006-11-18 15:43:17 · answer #9 · answered by roybester2000 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
11 is not to young to start puberty. but tread easy as hormones are raging at this time. sounds as though he is starting to experience some changes in his body and that's why he wants to do his own washing, as he may be embarrasd hat hs mom may know (They dont realise we were kids once) but also give him some space to develop as he may clam up if you say something. Try not to worry, sure its normal.
2006-11-18 18:01:27 · answer #10 · answered by Lyns 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋