My 11 Year Old Son Is Going Through Puberty … And I HATE It!  

My 11 Year Old Son Is Going Through Puberty … And I HATE It!

My youngest son has started puberty, and it is truly taking a toll on our household and our mother/son relationship. How do you parent a child that is having such a hard time regulating their emotions? He is 11 years old and very self confident, he has a ton of friends, he is a social butterfly, and he loves being a leader at school.

I have always been the easy going, nice parent. I am the parent that they can come to with their questions and thoughts because honestly, I have more patience than my husband. My husband is the enforcer of the family, while I hate conflict, I am sensitive, and I hate being the bad guy … even with my kids.

Of course, this has totally backfired now, and my son is steam rolling over me. Being that my older son isn’t the typical teenager, I never had to deal with the back talk or the defiant attitude like I have to with my younger son. My oldest is almost 15 and he literally spells out HELL because he is fearful of saying a bad word. My youngest, on the other hand, will drop the F bomb if he gets mad enough or something does not go his way in a baseball game.

I have no idea how to parent that except take away things. I have tried taking away the PlayStation and the iPad but nothing has worked except taking away something that he truly loves and cares about … baseball. Threatening him with sitting out of a practice or a game kicks him right into gear … usually.

This all started a couple of months ago, and that’s when I noticed he started smelling, getting a few pimples, talking about girls, and eating me out of house and home. My baby is going through puberty, and I am NOT ready.

Some days, I am even scared to pick him up from school. I am fearful of the mood he will be in, or if I will ask the wrong questions about his day. I feel like I have to walk on eggshells sometimes with him. Someone, please tell me this is normal!

I fully believe the reason for his change in his behavior and attitude is because of his hormones shifting into high gear. The rush of testosterone along with the inability to control his emotions have been the focus of our household lately. I am so worried that my child is going to be a mean child, but thankfully, he is only mean to the people he lives with.

I am unsure how to guide him and help him with his feelings, choices, and emotions. I want him to know his emotions are valid, but he needs to find a way to express them healthily. We are a praying family, so I do pray for him and with him. I love my son so very much and I want him to be the best version of himself that he can be.

So, tell me, is puberty this hard on everyone? Send me your advice and your kind words because my 11-year-old already made me cry today.