Navigating Puberty: Expert Tips from Dr. Lisa Klein
“Puberty is normal. Every single adult you meet has been through puberty. Whether you want to or not, you will go through puberty,” says Dr. Lisa Klein, a pediatrician specializing in adolescent medicine. In this episode, host Andrea Hecht and Dr. Klein, who have been friends since childhood, tackle the often-taboo topics of puberty and sexual health in parenting. They aim to normalize these essential discussions to help cultivate a healthier, more informed next generation.
Dr. Klein, co-founder of Turning Teen, stresses the importance of educating children about their bodies using accurate terms early on to demystify puberty and reduce associated stigma. She offers strategic advice for parents on becoming credible informants who can counteract the misconceptions spread by media and the internet, particularly around sexual content.
With practical tips tailored for both boys and girls, Dr. Klein covers the physical changes of puberty, and essential concepts like body safety and consent. This episode is a valuable resource for parents ready to support their children through these transformative years with confidence and clarity.
Quotes
“We created Turning Teen, which is a resource, pediatrician developed educational programs about puberty and sexual health that we teach in homes, communities, and classrooms. It’s really started to grow and the beauty is that it really helps people and it’s not just helping these awkward, confused kids. It’s really helping a parent be a better parent. And it’s helping schools provide quality education… It’s helping everyone do a better job at a very, very important topic.” (08:55 | Dr. Lisa Klein)
“Everyone does have values and what they feel is right and wrong. And that’s up to you and your family. But bringing it back to the science, we teach our kids about how our body works just in general or sports or whatever. And if you’re not educating your kids on the safety of their body, you’re doing them a total disservice.” (23:43 | Andrea Hecht)
“Parenting is hard. Growing up is hard. There is no one right answer a lot of the time. Give yourself grace. Be vulnerable and admit your mistakes. If we can talk about it and be honest and open, then having conversations is the way to keep us healthy, safe and smart in making good decisions.” (56:22 | Dr. Lisa Klein)
Links
Connect with Dr. Lisa Klein:
Website: Turning Teen https://www.turningteen.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/turningteen
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/turningteen
Resources to speak to your children about puberty and sexual health: https://turningteen.com/resources/
Connect with your host, Andrea Hecht:
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