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![Bottomless pit: One description of a teenage boy going through puberty.](http://web.archive.org./web/20200123132819im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/3/r/8/t/g/image.related.wideLandscape.460x259.13sa6d.gjzq20.png/1444657597816.jpg)
How to tell when your son has hit puberty
The transition of your baby-faced angelic son into a teenager can be a challenging time, especially when you’ve never had to deal with the hormones that can descend upon your home like a cyclone.
![<i></i>](http://web.archive.org./web/20200123132819im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/3/r/t/n/i/image.related.wideLandscape.460x259.13zqlm.gjzq20.png/1444658197333.jpg)
How to tell when your daughter is going through puberty
Are you worried about knowing how to tell when your sweet fairy-loving princess reaches puberty? Are you having trouble finding out because said ‘princess’ is locked up in her room?
![Why starting puberty early matters.](http://web.archive.org./web/20200123132819im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/4/0/s/a/c/image.related.landscape.120x80.givov3.gjzq20.png/1444655131111.jpg)
![ek-puberty-precocious-thumb](http://web.archive.org./web/20200123132819im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/2/p/6/r/4/image.related.landscape.120x80.2p6qx.gjzq20.png/1444091436001.jpg)
![Changes](http://web.archive.org./web/20200123132819im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/1/j/t/a/v/image.related.landscape.120x80.1jh89.gjzq20.png/1444628228286.jpg)
![Talking about how and why her body will change.](http://web.archive.org./web/20200123132819im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/3/7/g/l/y/image.related.landscape.120x80.37fnr.gjzq20.png/1444091436001.jpg)
Latest
![The dip in mothers’ self-esteem and wellbeing coincides with onset of her children’s puberty.](http://web.archive.org./web/20200123132819im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/h/1/h/d/g/y/image.related.landscape.300x200.p52k1n.png/1566817615001.jpg)
How to head off the toll of the terrible tweens on mothers' self-esteem
The first step in safeguarding a mother’s wellbeing is for her to be doing what she wants to be doing.
![Photo: iStock](http://web.archive.org./web/20200123132819im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/h/1/h/3/8/l/image.related.landscape.300x200.h1h37w.png/1565738238153.jpg)
Number of teenagers choosing not to drink rises by more than 50 per cent
The number of young Australians choosing not to drink has increased by more than 50 per cent since 2013.
![Photo: iStock](http://web.archive.org./web/20200123132819im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/h/1/g/o/0/1/image.related.landscape.300x200.h1gkcg.png/1564493823691.jpg)
How to talk to tweens about body odour (without making it awkward)
Body odour in adolescence isn't a new problem, but it can feel insurmountable as a concerned parent.
![Photo: Sutterstock](http://web.archive.org./web/20200123132819im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/h/1/f/h/x/x/image.related.landscape.300x200.h1fhxa.png/1561129906148.jpg)
My son is volunteering at aged care home
My 14-year-old son was recently suspended from school. Again. Volunteering seemed like the perfect option.
![Photo: Shutterstock](http://web.archive.org./web/20200123132819im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/h/1/e/y/s/u/image.related.landscape.300x200.h1ey0u.png/1559290983446.jpg)
How my open, honest approach to puberty is paying off with my preteen daughter
I remember the first time my daughter asked me how babies were made.
![If you have ever seen a group of teens at a party, you will notice a huge difference between the boys and the girls.](http://web.archive.org./web/20200123132819im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/h/1/d/a/1/r/image.related.landscape.300x200.p51bxo.png/1554778292782.jpg)
We need to build a herd immunity against the sexualisation of girls
If you have ever seen a group of teens at a party, you will notice a huge difference between the boys and the girls.
![Thomas Evans, 25, died fighting for the terrorist group al-Shabaab during a gun battle with Kenyan troops in June.](http://web.archive.org./web/20200123132819im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/g/k/6/l/g/9/image.related.landscape.300x200.p50pjr.png/1547082984118.jpg)
The making of men: It's all about belonging
Every young person needs a mentor and a pathway to adulthood. The alternative is a nightmare.
![Photo: Shutterstock](http://web.archive.org./web/20200123132819im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/h/1/4/g/7/4/image.related.landscape.300x200.h14dgd.png/1535103389327.jpg)
Help, puberty is turning my children (and me) into monsters
There is no preparation for what it feels like for someone half your size to push you to the point of almost losing control.
![Are you trying to seduce me Mrs Robinson? Or maybe just teach me something?](http://web.archive.org./web/20200123132819im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/h/1/2/k/a/b/image.related.landscape.300x200.p4zqx8.png/1531961532733.jpg)
How do we teach our teenagers about good sex, not just safe sex?
Our children are learning about sex from pornography. Are you okay with that?
![Photo: Shutterstock](http://web.archive.org./web/20200123132819im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/h/1/0/u/c/r/image.related.landscape.300x200.h10trm.png/1527853886666.jpg)
A quarter of teens regret posting a video on social media
Here's how you can help yours.
![Photo: Shutterstock](http://web.archive.org./web/20200123132819im_/http://www.essentialkids.com.au/content/dam/images/h/0/x/u/z/i/image.related.landscape.300x200.h0xuz6.png/1521813972074.jpg)
Despite my best efforts, my nine-year-old son saw online porn
The parents had previously been diligent about setting viewing controls on devices.
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