When do boys' bodies change? What is the pre-teen progression?

[Pensive]

I have a vague idea about girls, bc, well, I am a girl. But I never had brothers and know nothing about boys. Dh is a little fuzzy on remembering some of this. I was wondering what the pre-teen progression was for boys, in terms of building up to puberty? I want to know what to expect.

Ben has dark fuzz on his knees and some of his legs now. I thought it was dirt but a closer inspection revealed that it was fuzz! So, that's recently changed. He's 8, btw. Can I expect other stuff to start changing in advance of puberty? I mean, when will other stuff start happening? Dh was squarely "average" on all of this but he doesn't remember details.

Another thing...if he were a girl, I'd say that hormones are starting. What are boys like? He's become this really emotional, dramatic person lately. He can cry at the drop of a hat. And he is just SO melodramatic. It's crazy! One morning, I got up about 5 minutes after him. Dh was trying to leave for work so he told Ben I would feed him. It was FIVE minutes. When I came out, Ben looked snippy and he announced, "Daddy doesn't care if I STARVE!". He's easily embarrassed. But if I say the wrong thing (and it can be any little thing!), he might burst into tears and run into his bedroom, slamming the door behind him! Seriously, I thought I was getting off easy not having girls and their hormones. Why isn't this easy?? LOL.

Anyway, any BTDT greatly appreciated. I'm just wondering what happens from here until puberty. TIA!

[bannanabette]

My oldest is only 11 so I don't know that I can comment on the puberty thing, but about the emotionalism - my 11 year old went through it around 8 and now my 8 year old is going through it too, but the 11 year old outgrew it around 9 or 10 and I can see that the 8 year old is just starting to outgrow it now (and my 8 year old was always extremely even tempered up until last year.)

My 11 year old does have dramatic moments (he's a dramatic kid and very much into The. Tragedy. Of. Life.) but that emotional lack of control seems to have passed, to be replaced by pre-teen ennui :-P

Anyway, I'm just saying that that emotionalism for us was a growing stage but definitely hasn't been carried into the preteen years, so I don't think of it as a puberty thing. At least not for my boys.

[gfrach]

I have a vague idea about girls, bc, well, I am a girl. But I never had brothers and know nothing about boys. Dh is a little fuzzy on remembering some of this. I was wondering what the pre-teen progression was for boys, in terms of building up to puberty? I want to know what to expect.

Ben has dark fuzz on his knees and some of his legs now. I thought it was dirt but a closer inspection revealed that it was fuzz! So, that's recently changed. He's 8, btw. Can I expect other stuff to start changing in advance of puberty? I mean, when will other stuff start happening? Dh was squarely "average" on all of this but he doesn't remember details.

Another thing...if he were a girl, I'd say that hormones are starting. What are boys like? He's become this really emotional, dramatic person lately. He can cry at the drop of a hat. And he is just SO melodramatic. It's crazy! One morning, I got up about 5 minutes after him. Dh was trying to leave for work so he told Ben I would feed him. It was FIVE minutes. When I came out, Ben looked snippy and he announced, "Daddy doesn't care if I STARVE!". He's easily embarrassed. But if I say the wrong thing (and it can be any little thing!), he might burst into tears and run into his bedroom, slamming the door behind him! Seriously, I thought I was getting off easy not having girls and their hormones. Why isn't this easy?? LOL.

Anyway, any BTDT greatly appreciated. I'm just wondering what happens from here until puberty. TIA!
8 was a hard, emotional year here--lots of trying out of rebellion and such. Really 8 was the toughest year discipline-wise since the 2-5 years.

The leg fuzz started for C about 9. He is a blond so his leg hair is blond, it could be I would have noticed it before then if his hair was darker. At almost 12.5, he has even more leg fuzz as well as a reasonable amount of testicle hair and definitely other development in that area as well. No underarm hair yet. Definite emotionalism from about 11 and continuing, but of course it's been a tough year and a few months here anyway, so it's hard to say what's what for sure.

[Debra]

Alex's leg hair started darkening at 9 and by 9½ he needed to wear deodorant. Colin is just barely 9 and I noticed his leg hair is darkening now. He doesn't need deodorant yet but at the same time I can tell that his smell is changing.

The emotional stuff is hard for me to tell - Alex was so, so difficult at 8½ - 9 but that was when we had our awful move, the school and teacher from hell, and his depression and facial ticks from stress. :sob: I think without those factors it would not have been anywhere near as difficult as it was. Colin was a more difficult-to-parent child until about age 6, and since then he has been the most easy going, pleasant bundle of awesomeness and so far he is still like that. :-) I realize this could change. ;-)

[threecubs]

Age 8 was really tough for Kaleb emotionally. I am starting to notice a similar pattern with Ian, who is 8. The physical changes didn't really start happening for Kaleb until he was 10, and for him, it started as becoming really filled out. He was wearing bigger sizes, but pants would be too long. Being my first (and DH and I dealing with weight issues), I was really worried. I talked with my mom and she reminded me my little brother went through the same thing (he was very, very active, played hockey, baseball...etc). By about age 11.5, his voice started changing and he needed deodorant, and between 12-14 his height exploded! He is now just a bit taller than me (about 5'6.5") and his feet are bigger than his dad's. He's very lean now. His voice got even deeper. Last summer (just before he turned 13) his legs had very fine blond hair. This summer (just before he turned 14), his legs are super fuzzy! You know, I did notice that Ian's leg hair is more pronounced than it has been in the past...but not man-hair, like Kaleb's (although, DH really does not have a lot of hair on his legs), just more of it. His hair is not smelling as sweet these days. :-)

Anyway..that is just the progression of my boys so far. :-)

[indigo]

C is 11.5. His legs seemed to get more hair around age 10. He still doesn't need deoderant and still has that sweet "little boy" smell. What I've noticed with him and a lot of his same-aged male friends is that many of them, who have always been quite lean, have a little meat around their middles. It's pretty noticeable when they're all swimming. I think they're storing up for tremendous growth spurts. C hasn't shown signs of puberty yet (well maybe he is, but none that I'm aware of.) He still utterly has a baby face. He is tall (5'2") for his age but has not even begun his puberty growth spurt yet.

[~PQ]

Patrick's leg hair got darker and more noticable around age 10. Around age 12 his voice began changing, and his adams apple became more prominant, by age 13 he was STINKING!

[Bonny]

we call that "teen spirit."

[Debra]

we call that "teen spirit."

OMG! I just about spit lemonade all over the keyboard. :rofl:

[Pensive]

Thank you so much! I really appreciate your replies!! Maybe nothing else will happen for a while then. Maybe it was just the increase of knee and leg hair. I mean, he's only 8.5! It freaked me out.

It's good and interesting to hear that 8 is such an emotional age. He's been driving us nuts! If we say the wrong thing, he might announce he's running away and storm off. It's draining! And then I have teenage years to look forward to? I don't mean to sound negative, but when I do I get a break from this sort of thing? Sigh.

Anyway, your replies were very helpful. Thank you!

[gfrach]

8 was a hard, emotional year here--lots of trying out of rebellion and such. Really 8 was the toughest year discipline-wise since the 2-5 years.

The leg fuzz started for C about 9. He is a blond so his leg hair is blond, it could be I would have noticed it before then if his hair was darker. At almost 12.5, he has even more leg fuzz as well as a reasonable amount of testicle hair and definitely other development in that area as well. No underarm hair yet. Definite emotionalism from about 11 and continuing, but of course it's been a tough year and a few months here anyway, so it's hard to say what's what for sure.
Just wanted to add that I noticed last night that the peach fuzz on C's upper lip seems to be getting thicker or longer or something--but somehow much more noticeable than it used to be. And again--he's blond, so these things aren't really noticeable on him unless the light hits it just right so it could be it's always been this way and I've just never noticed.

[gfrach]

It's good and interesting to hear that 8 is such an emotional age. He's been driving us nuts! If we say the wrong thing, he might announce he's running away and storm off. It's draining! And then I have teenage years to look forward to? I don't mean to sound negative, but when I do I get a break from this sort of thing? Sigh.

9 was an immensely easier time than 8, so you will get a break soon, I hope!

[kathy caribe]

I have a vague idea about girls, bc, well, I am a girl. But I never had brothers and know nothing about boys. Dh is a little fuzzy on remembering some of this. I was wondering what the pre-teen progression was for boys, in terms of building up to puberty? I want to know what to expect.

Ben has dark fuzz on his knees and some of his legs now. I thought it was dirt but a closer inspection revealed that it was fuzz! So, that's recently changed. He's 8, btw. Can I expect other stuff to start changing in advance of puberty? I mean, when will other stuff start happening? Dh was squarely "average" on all of this but he doesn't remember details.

Another thing...if he were a girl, I'd say that hormones are starting. What are boys like? He's become this really emotional, dramatic person lately. He can cry at the drop of a hat. And he is just SO melodramatic. It's crazy! One morning, I got up about 5 minutes after him. Dh was trying to leave for work so he told Ben I would feed him. It was FIVE minutes. When I came out, Ben looked snippy and he announced, "Daddy doesn't care if I STARVE!". He's easily embarrassed. But if I say the wrong thing (and it can be any little thing!), he might burst into tears and run into his bedroom, slamming the door behind him! Seriously, I thought I was getting off easy not having girls and their hormones. Why isn't this easy?? LOL.

Anyway, any BTDT greatly appreciated. I'm just wondering what happens from here until puberty. TIA!

My boys seem to be on the "late" end of things, but both were VERY emotional at 11 and again at 13. Neither, at 15 nor 13 have pubic hair, facial hair, etc. The 15yo JUST started voice changing. The 15yo NEEDS deoderant (this just started) but not the 13yo.

[Peggyann]

9 was an immensely easier time than 8, so you will get a break soon, I hope!

Aidan is 5 months away from being 8. He's getting darker hair on his legs. The moods have defin. started changing.

Sometimes I wonder if he needs some frickin' midol, chocolate and salt! :spinning:

~PA~

[libbylibbylibby]

My 11 year old does have dramatic moments (he's a dramatic kid and very much into The. Tragedy. Of. Life.) but that emotional lack of control seems to have passed, to be replaced by pre-teen ennui :-P


My almost 11 year old is this way as well. Actually, he is either Convinced We Can Never Understand. Ever. Really. or telling me that he knows, and Yeah, I Guess That May Be Important. To You. But Not Me.

I should add, he is not hairy, but he has the beginnings of other skin changes in his face. Maybe like whiteheads? I am not sure.

[susan]

I don't really know too much, also being a girl with only sisters, but Haisam has been stinking it up a little lately at just past 9. I mean, it takes a couple days without a shower plus some sweat inducing activity, but then he smells just like he has a taco under each arm. He's pretty proud of it, and grumbles with a hidden smile when I tell him to go take a shower and put on some (Tom's of Maine, apricot scent) pit sauce.

[Debra]

then he smells just like he has a taco under each arm. He's pretty proud of it,

:rofl:

[Kathy 4J mom]

C is 11.5. His legs seemed to get more hair around age 10. He still doesn't need deoderant and still has that sweet "little boy" smell. What I've noticed with him and a lot of his same-aged male friends is that many of them, who have always been quite lean, have a little meat around their middles. It's pretty noticeable when they're all swimming. I think they're storing up for tremendous growth spurts. C hasn't shown signs of puberty yet (well maybe he is, but none that I'm aware of.) He still utterly has a baby face. He is tall (5'2") for his age but has not even begun his puberty growth spurt yet.

JT is 12 and you are right about that meat in the middle that is noticable while swimming LOL.

[mowse]

I'm waiting still for Alex to slow down.

He will need to shave soon.

I call him in when I can't reach something now.

He is about 3 inches shorter than his dad.

[Debra]

I'm waiting still for Alex to slow down.

He will need to shave soon.

I call him in when I can't reach something now.

He is about 3 inches shorter than his dad.

Yeah, I'm trying to decide when Alex should shave. I'm thinking maybe now. His 'stache is much more than peach fuzz now.

[mowse]

Yeah, I'm trying to decide when Alex should shave. I'm thinking maybe now. His 'stache is much more than peach fuzz now.

but my alex is 12!

He has a friend who is also Alex. Alex G is 15 and my Alex is the same height. Alex G is a redhead and was bemoaning the fact that my Alex has more facial hair.

Alex is as tall as most of the 14 and up at our church. The kids his own age, he towers over. We saw his best friend from grade school over the summer. James was nowhere near puberty. Alex was at least 6 inches taller. James had always been taller than Alex.

[BlueMama]

I started having J (he turned 10yo in May) wear deodorant occasionally last year and this summer. He wore his Keen sandals all summer and I swear I need to burn those. I'm trying to remind him to wear deodorant Every Day for school because they have PE first and I feel sorry for the teachers :-P.

The downside to making him wear the deodorant is that now my 7yo thinks he needs deodorant as well (he sooooo does not need it) and he's putting up a real fight about it and it's just not a hill I'm willing to die on, so there ya go.

J's almost 10 1/2 now and he's had serious hair on his legs for at least a year, maybe 2. It's blonde still, though. He's highly emotional and has been for a least a year as well. But he's always been sensitive. Now it's just that he hates me and thinks he'd be better off living in the woods or something. I thought sending him to sleep-away camp this summer might help, but it just seemed to reinforce his belief that he can take care of himself lol. *Everything* is "this is the worst day ever!" and "you've ruined my life!" I hear all that at least 10 times a day.

[anastasia]

I have a vague idea about girls, bc, well, I am a girl. But I never had brothers and know nothing about boys. Dh is a little fuzzy on remembering some of this. I was wondering what the pre-teen progression was for boys, in terms of building up to puberty? I want to know what to expect.

Ben has dark fuzz on his knees and some of his legs now. I thought it was dirt but a closer inspection revealed that it was fuzz! So, that's recently changed. He's 8, btw. Can I expect other stuff to start changing in advance of puberty? I mean, when will other stuff start happening? Dh was squarely "average" on all of this but he doesn't remember details.

Another thing...if he were a girl, I'd say that hormones are starting. What are boys like? He's become this really emotional, dramatic person lately. He can cry at the drop of a hat. And he is just SO melodramatic. It's crazy! One morning, I got up about 5 minutes after him. Dh was trying to leave for work so he told Ben I would feed him. It was FIVE minutes. When I came out, Ben looked snippy and he announced, "Daddy doesn't care if I STARVE!". He's easily embarrassed. But if I say the wrong thing (and it can be any little thing!), he might burst into tears and run into his bedroom, slamming the door behind him! Seriously, I thought I was getting off easy not having girls and their hormones. Why isn't this easy?? LOL.

Anyway, any BTDT greatly appreciated. I'm just wondering what happens from here until puberty. TIA!

Nick is 11 and starting to "bulk up" physically. Current behavior struggles suggest some hormonal upheaval as well. He's incredibly private so I have no idea what else may be developing. I have not noticed any thickening leg hair or body odor.

[Kathy]

Ryan, at 10 1/2, has new facial acne and is starting to bulk up physically. Eek!

[renee]

C. is as tall as I am. Waahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. I'm having such a hard time with this growing up thing!


C is 11.5. His legs seemed to get more hair around age 10. He still doesn't need deoderant and still has that sweet "little boy" smell. What I've noticed with him and a lot of his same-aged male friends is that many of them, who have always been quite lean, have a little meat around their middles. It's pretty noticeable when they're all swimming. I think they're storing up for tremendous growth spurts. C hasn't shown signs of puberty yet (well maybe he is, but none that I'm aware of.) He still utterly has a baby face. He is tall (5'2") for his age but has not even begun his puberty growth spurt yet.

[Jessica]

but my alex is 12!

He has a friend who is also Alex. Alex G is 15 and my Alex is the same height. Alex G is a redhead and was bemoaning the fact that my Alex has more facial hair.

Alex is as tall as most of the 14 and up at our church. The kids his own age, he towers over. We saw his best friend from grade school over the summer. James was nowhere near puberty. Alex was at least 6 inches taller. James had always been taller than Alex.

Kollin had to shave at 12. A new 12 at that. It was definitely beyond peach fuzz. Dark, somewhat wiry hair that he had to shave once a week. Now, he has to shave every other day. At first it was just above his lip, but now it is the whole beard/mustache area. He is also 5'9" and his voice is deepening.

[elsie]

This is such a great thread. Very reassuring all around!

Abel was an emotional roller coaster from 8-10. Now, we did move and get married and all that in that space of time, but I really don't think that was it. It was just the preteen-ness showing it's face.

At 10 and 1/2 he still has his moments, but I've been finding myself saying I LOVE 10 and 1/2. :-)

The fuzz on his legs is definitely more pronounced that it's been before. No "smells" as of yet.

He's in a stall right now, growth wise, which means he's about to shoot up. He's just having to tilt his head to give me a kiss when we're both standing up, so any day now, I'm expecting him to grow another inch or 2 overnight!

He can pick me up, too, which is such a trip!