Boys and Puberty (Just talking about emotions in here, no scary stuff)?

[Jengerbread88]

Okay. Jeffrey is 11. He's typically a really mild mannered kiddo, except when he's sick (then he gets grumpy, whiny, teary-eyed).

In the past two or three weeks, though, he has become this totally new dude. If you say anything (ANYTHING! For example, mom said "Hey, your hair looks like it's doing something different today" with a smile), he dissolves into tears. I mean, just sobbing, wailing tears.

That's not like him at all, even when he is sick. He just stresses about everything. If someone says, "Hey, can you help me pick this up?" It's him crying and "I'm sorry! I didn't see it! I'm so sorry! I feel so stupid!" and more tears.

I had a friend who said that their kiddo was around his age, and would do the same crying thing... I had always assumed that only girls got the really emotional crying fits, but now I'm kind of wondering if any of your kids did this, too?

Just makes me worry something else is bugging him. I don't know!

[Valgal]

Seems kinda early, IMO. My boys are 13 and only one of them seems to be showing this kind of behavior. The one who is ultra-sensative is even MORE so. Tonight he got in such a funk over something SO REDICULOUSLY SIMPLE that he nearly refused to get out of the Jeep at church.

My other one is very mild-mannered. Think Clark Kent. I don't know if hormones are ever going to bug this kid. The only way I know for sure that something is going on is because he's having some breakouts on his forehead and his voice is deepening.

But that's just what's going on here. I'm certian that it's different all across the board.

[abm234]

Didnt you mention that you just started Homeschooling recently? Maybe he's having a tough time with the transition?

[Jengerbread88]

We did recently start homeschooling, but a lot of this has been going on longer than that, so that's why I was kind of concerned. His voice started cracking and everything in the early fall, too, so that's part of why I thought maybe it was related to that.

It could be the homeschooling, though, that's really bringing it out.

[tuneskids]

my oldest, now almost 17, was SUPER sensitive when he was younger, and it started around 10.5 years of age with him! I swear, he would lose it if you just looked at him the wrong way! He had good days and bad days. But by about 12/13, he was completely over it.
I am noticing my 9 year old middle kid is suddenly starting to act the same. Ugh.

And here I thought three boys would be so much easier than the one girl I got. lol With her, I know what to expect, especially as she nears 13 ... we get moody together, and know what the other is going through. lol

[NeverendingJen]

my brother was like that starting at around the same age. my mom thought it was crazy since I was the teenager at the time. HE was far more emotional and mood swingy than I ever was as a preteen and teen

[liriel]

My son is 10.5 and going through the same thing. He just gets weepy and emotional some days for no reason, or over little things. Several of our friends with slightly older kids have said that yes he is starting to hit puberty. He is also having small physical changes to confirm it too. Stinky feet, oily hair, and needing to shower everyday. Its very tough on him since he isn't at all an emotional kid. He asks us why somedays he just wants to cry. We feel so bad for him. All you can do is try to keep open communications with him, let him know that everything is ok, that he can talk to you anytime about what he is feeling, and that what he is going through is normal. I think that has helped Logan the most...knowing that he is not a freak and that this is something all kids go through.

[Darcy Baldwin]

Connor started to show it around that age, as well. The hormones are beginning to kick in, and no matter what everyone says about it only being about the girls, the boys get emotional, too, just might show it in different ways. If you're noticing some physical changes happening as well (the stink - oh the stink! LOL), he's beginning that same journey!

[maryinaz]

I have 13 year old twin boys right now. One of them is going through puberty and one is not. I'm not seeing emotional stuff from either one of them, but just the usual changes and attitude from the one going through it.

The one going through puberty has always been bigger than the other one since birth (8lbs 6oz vs. 6lbs 13oz), but it's astonishing to see the difference now. They are THIRTY pounds apart now! And probably 6 inches. *sigh* The little guy has some issues with being so far left behind by his twin, but is hanging in there. My older 2 boys went through puberty at much different times, so it's happening with the twins too.

[Jengerbread88]

Good to know we aren't alone in it! Lol

[xboxmom]

I have never had my boys be emotional with crying but they did switch from being nice little boys to being little angry beasts. Too much testosterone i suppose. They just really wanted to beat everyone up. It's really just bizarre how hormones mess with kids. Hopefully it will be a fast transition for your boy.

[Paula]

My son started around 11. He would get so emotional about the littlest things. But, that's also when he started to have the stink that Darcy is talking about. LOL

[Jengerbread88]

Oh the stink is definitely there! ;) It's... scary. And then he tries to cover it with Axe, and if you've ever handed a kid a can of Axe, you know they tend to go slightly overboard... lol :)