Q
My 12-year-old son is going through puberty. As a single mom, can I help him through it without him shutting down and not talking to me? Would it be better for him to talk to his father about this subject?
A
Most boys in this country, regardless of their being in a single- or two-parent household, receive their information about sex and sexuality from their mothers. Ideally, both parents should discuss puberty with their kids. My hope is that you and his dad can discuss your values and opinions regarding this complex, important area of child development. Remember, these discussions (and there needs to be ongoing discussions throughout his adolescence, not just one big "birds and bees" talk) should not be lectures filled with fear and warnings. They need to be grounded in what your son knows and needs to know. Be aware that he needs to know much more about your values regarding healthy sexuality than about the nitty-gritty details of sex.