Physical changes are, generally speaking, easier to notice – as they are more obvious – than emotional ones. So, before you start wondering when should my daughter start wearing a bra, for instance, it’s far more important that you consider how to explain puberty to a girl first.

Naturally, such obvious and rapid physical changes can quickly lead to heightened emotional reactions, such as confusion, anxiety and mood swings, which is – again – entirely normal and just a natural part of growing up. 

 

Most Common Emotional Changes During Puberty

Aside from the physical changes your body will go through, there are emotional changes in puberty that will be happening during this time as well. However, you may not be as aware of them, simply due to the fact that they’re happening to you, and they may not be as obvious at first glance as the physical ones.

Nevertheless, all of the following emotional changes during puberty are normal: 

• Moody
• Anxious
• Irritable
• Overwhelmed
• Low on self-esteem

Now, let’s take a look at them in detail.

Mood swings and feeling irritable

During puberty, there are a lot of hormonal fluctuations happening, such as increased production of testosterone in boys and estrogen in girls, which can affect brain chemistry and influence emotions and mood regulation. Since the adolescent brain undergoes structural and functional changes, these can easily lead to inconsistencies in emotional responses and regulation.

Low self-esteem and anxiety

Physical changes that happen during puberty can lead to self-esteem issues, which can then contribute to feelings of insecurity and vulnerability. On top of that, young adolescents experience new social pressures, such as peer relationships, romantic interests and the need for increased independence, which can also boost anxiety and affect overall self-esteem.

Feeling overwhelmed

All of these factors are intertwined, which is why it comes as no surprise that they can easily contribute to stress, anxiety and mood fluctuations. Plus, adolescence is a period of identity exploration and self-discovery, which can lead to confusion and emotional instability. Add to that family dynamics, school pressures and societal expectations, and it becomes more than clear how stressors in these areas can exacerbate mood swings or emotional responses.

 

How to Deal With Emotional Changes During Puberty

Now that we’ve discussed the most common emotional changes during puberty, it’s time to talk about how to deal with them the right way. Ignoring and not addressing these changes properly can lead to frustration, feelings of isolation and overall unhappiness, which is why it’s crucial to learn how to address them and manage them properly.

Another important thing to mention is that boys and girls most probably won’t deal with their emotions the same way during puberty. Generally speaking, during this period, boys usually try to hide their emotions, while girls tend to show them off even more. That’s why it’s completely normal that your daughter starts crying more often than before – and not necessarily out of sadness, while your son may start to appear more distant and even angry.

Luckily, with the help of some practical tips for managing emotions, which we’ll discuss in a moment, all of these emotional rollercoasters can easily be dealt with.

Journaling can help understand emotions better

One of the best ways you can help your child understand all of the new emotions they’re experiencing in puberty is by suggesting to them to keep a journal. Here, they can note down all of the things they feel and experience during the day, which can help them understand their feelings and reactions better. 

Also, encourage them to note down how they’ve handled certain situations or emotional outbursts, so that they can reflect on their previous behavior and see how they can do things differently the next time they find themselves in a similar situation.

Talking can help your child understand they’re not in it alone

You should also explain to your child that talking with a person they trust can make this period significantly easier to handle and understand. By doing so, they’ll see that they’re not the only ones who are experiencing puberty. It can also help them learn how others have dealt with similar feelings and situations, which can help them manage their emotions better.

Keep in mind that you may not be the person they decide to open up to, and that’s also okay. Don’t insist on your child opening up to you if they don’t yet feel comfortable doing so, but also try to make sure that the person they do decide to open up to is ready and willing to help them out.

Encourage them to take some “me time”

Explain to your child that taking some “me time” is very beneficial and can help them figure out their emotions better. No matter if this will be a physical activity or simply lounging around listening to their favorite music, practicing self-love and self-care will help your child feel better.

If you ever get invited to join them on their “me time”, don’t hesitate to do so! But make sure you’re not disrupting their peace but instead try to contribute to it as much as you can.

Make sure that your child gets plenty of quality sleep

Sleep is very important, particularly for a developing body and brain, which is why it’s crucial that your child gets plenty of quality sleep during puberty. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), your child will need about 10 hours of sleep in order to function properly.

So, while it may sometimes seem like the only thing your child does is sleep, do know that it’s completely normal and that it won’t last forever – as soon as they’re done with puberty, their sleep schedule will go back to normal.

Encourage your child to stay physically active

Physical activity will not only help your child maintain optimal physical health, but it can also help them manage their emotions better. Exercising, in general, is known to improve mood, but it will also help your kid channel all of their extra energy towards something positive.

Insist on a healthy diet

Since puberty triggers a growth spurt, it’s super important that your child gets the necessary daily dose of key nutrients, in order to be able to develop properly. These need to include all of the key macro and micronutrients.

What’s more, some studies suggest that obesity can slow down the onset of puberty in boys and accelerate it in girls. And, in order to ensure that your child is growing and developing properly, make sure they eat as healthy as possible.

 

How Can Emotions Affect Relationships During Puberty

Your kid who’s currently entering puberty won’t be the only one affected by it. Instead, everyone around them will also get to enjoy the ride. 

That’s why it is very important that everyone is on the same page, especially when it comes to communication. Generally speaking, children during puberty often experience increased sensitivity, irritability and mood swings, especially when interacting with their family members. 

The most common puberty hurdles include the child’s increased need for independence that clashes with the parents’ authority. Needless to say, this can lead to misunderstandings and tension that can easily strain relationships with parents and siblings.

Moreover, friendships also undergo transformation during this period, especially since your child is not the only one experiencing puberty. This is the time when old (childhood) friendships sometimes break up and new friendships take the stage. 

You can also expect to see your child not talking – and then hanging out with a certain friend on and off, so don’t be surprised if yesterday's best friend has all of a sudden become persona non grata.

Add to this the sudden emergence of romantic feelings and crushes, and you’ve got yourself a recipe for a perfect storm (that, luckily, will pass). Since most young adolescents struggle with their emotions as is, you can understand how this particular part of growing up may be super stressful for them. 

That’s why it’s important that you show them support as they navigate their first experiences with love and attraction, but also explain to them the importance of understanding the boundaries and dynamics of romantic relationships.

 

Turn to Professionals for Help

If you feel like you understand how you can help your child, but your efforts simply don’t seem to resonate well with them, it’s always advisable to seek professional help. No matter if you choose to go for group sessions with your child or seek professional guidance on your own, the most important thing is to ask for help if you feel like you need it.

 

Make Puberty Less Stressful With Bleuet

Puberty can be super stressful as is, especially for girls who now need to start getting used to all of the physical changes they’ve experienced. On top of that, this is the time when girls usually shop for their very first bra. 

Here at Bleuet, we pride ourselves on creating supportive but – above all – comfortable first bras because we understand just how big of a milestone starting to wear a bra is for all of the girls out there. With our minimal-seem and tag-free bras that are ultra-soft and reversible, this will feel like a real treat instead of a chore.  

So, if you’re wondering when do girls start wearing training bras, our answer is: “As soon as they feel the need!” 

Don’t hesitate to try out our style quiz today and find the first bra worthy of your little princess who’s entering her womanhood.

 

Conclusion

Puberty is a natural part of growth and development, but that doesn’t mean that dealing with it is easy. Since there are a lot of changes happening in the physical and mental sense, it’s understandable how puberty and especially the emotions that come with it, can be difficult to navigate.

Luckily, with the help of some of these tips, both you and your child can be well prepared for everything puberty has to throw your way and learn how to deal with how to deal with puberty emotions the right way.

 

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