Body Basics with Bella

I'm still cherishing the sweet quality time I got to have with my mom this past Mother's Day weekend. And in the work I do with adolescents and families, I know just how special this time is.

During puberty, the adolescent brain is hardwired to start practicing the independence they'll need in adulthood. As a result of this cognitive reconstruction, closeness and connection with parents decline as youth pull away from their parents, shifting their attention and connection to their peers.

This transition is a hard one for parents and can feel as if it's happened overnight. "Why won't they talk to me?" "What did I do?" "All they care about is what their friends are doing!" "Why won't they come out of their room?' These are things I hear all the time as a puberty educator, and while it can feel scary, this behavior isn't necessarily a reason to worry. It's a totally normal and even necessary step in their cognitive development - but that doesn't mean you're not allowed to have your own big feelings about it (or that any boundary-crossing behavior shouldn't be addressed - in fact, it's more important than ever that it is!).

I remember going through this transition during my own adolescence. Now as an adult and a puberty educator, I know that time with my parents is precious. They're older now, and as it turns out, their just people too, experiencing life for the first time just as I am.

All of this is to say that the painful and confusing pull away from you during puberty is a season. It won't last forever, and whether they admit it or not, adolescents do need you to be that consistent, steady presence in their lives, no matter how old they are. And when they find their way back, ready for closeness again, it'll be atop the foundation you've established again and again throughout their lives.

Happy Mother's Day! 💐

Hey Hattiesburg! Looking for a summer activity for your 4th, 5th, or 6th grader? Enroll them in Body Basics Grade 5 - we have 3 spots left, and will be kicking off the program very soon!

Body Basics Grade 5 provides a developmentally-aligned and heart-centered space for youth ages 9-11 to gain the information, guidance, and support they need to emerge confidently into adolescence - all while nourishing their connection with their parent(s) or caregiver(s). Our curriculum meets adolescents where they are at developmentally, covering topics like:

🌱 Physical pubertal changes (changing size and shape, breast development, body hair + odor, etc)
🌱 Caring for changing bodies
🌱 Preparing for & managing menstruation
🌱 Body confidence + self-esteem
🌱 Understanding big emotions & healthy coping skills
🌱 Ingredients for strong friendships
🌱 Healthy communication & conflict resolution
🌱 Social media, screen time, & the Internet

Through two 6-class semesters of a fun, supportive, and arts-infused approach to puberty education, students connect with each other while sharing their thoughts, feelings, and experiences together. This type of honest sharing in a small group normalizes puberty, helps youth feel less alone, and reminds them that they too can do hard things.

Learn more about the program and enroll today! https://www.bodybasicswithbella.com/body-basics-grade-5

So grateful for the Oak Grove Public Library for the continued collaboration that has increased our community's access to transformative, accurate, and empowering information about parenting, growing up, aging, and navigating our sexual and reproductive health. Can't wait for the next one!

Haven't attended yet? We're meeting again on Monday, May 18th at 6PM for "Confident Conversations in Action: Practicing Conversations About S-x and Growing Up!" Parents, caregivers, grandparents, and trusted adults - you won't want to miss this one!

RSVP here to stay up-to-date 👉 https://forms.gle/rhvhgaXhpXia98Sy6