Episode #384: What Moms Need to Know About Puberty and Mood Swings in Boys with Dr. Cara Natterson

Please remember that the views on this podcast and website are not meant to be substituted for medical advice, shouldn’t be used to diagnose, treat or cure any conditions, and are intended for general information purposes only.

Puberty often begins earlier than most parents expect and shows up in subtle, easily missed ways. In this episode, we speak with bestselling author and pediatrician Dr. Cara Natterson to demystify the emotional, social, and physical changes boys go through during puberty. We discuss what early signs to watch for, why silence is often mistaken for disconnection, and how to keep communication open even when your child begins pulling away.

You’ll learn what puberty really looks like (hint: it doesn’t start with facial hair), how hormones affect boys differently than girls, and what parents can do to build trust, connection, and confidence through this critical phase. Dr. Cara offers practical strategies for discussing sensitive topics, such as body changes, screen use, and emotional outbursts, without awkwardness or shame.

Whether your child is 5 or 15, this episode will equip you with the knowledge and reassurance to support them with compassion and clarity as they grow.

 

Topics Covered In This Episode:

  • Signs of early puberty in boys that parents often miss
  • Emotional regulation and mood swings in tween boys
  • Why boys go silent and how to reconnect
  • How to talk about body changes without awkwardness
  • Creating safe boundaries while honoring privacy

Show Notes:

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Guest Bio

Dr. Cara Natterson is a leading voice in puberty and adolescent health. A pediatrician, speaker, and the co-host of the This Is So Awkward podcast, she is the author of ten books including the bestselling This Is So Awkward: Modern Puberty Explained and the New York Times bestselling “The Care and Keeping of You” series.

When her own kids started puberty, Cara founded Less Awkward, the first company aimed at making puberty less cringey and more comfortable with both product and content. These days, puberty starts between 8-10 for most kids and it lasts a decade. The kids going through it and the adults helping them all deserve less cringe and more joy, which is why everything Cara does delivers crucial information in a relatable, reliable way.

Cara graduated from Harvard college and Johns Hopkins Medical School, trained at UCSF. She has two college aged kids and lives in Los Angeles.

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