Science-based strategies for parenting through puberty.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
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Sex, Romance & Nudity
a little
There is an episode about erections and nocturnal emissions that explains the science behind it and uses the terminology "boners/wet dreams." Several episodes about sex, sex organs, sex education, and consent. All discussion of sex is approached in a way that doesn't demonize sex, but instead takes a more informative approach.
Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Sex, Romance & Nudity in your kid's entertainment guide.
Talking to teens about war is the subject of one episode. The discussion of sexual abuse or non-consent may be brought up in episodes discussing sexual education and consent.
Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Violence & Scariness in your kid's entertainment guide.
Science-based information and relatable experiences about parenting tweens and teenagers, what happens during different stages of puberty and what to expect. Topics include promoting positive body image, navigating sex talk, periods, erections, hygiene, early and late bloomers and understanding puberty's emotional rollercoaster. A positive approach toward puberty, sex education, and supporting kids in their natural changes opens up conversation about topics that may feel uncomfortable for parents to bring up with their kids -- nocturnal emissions, physical development timeline, unexpected erections, talking about sex and sexual health.
Positive Role Models
a lot
Co-hosts Dr. Cara Natterson (pediatrician and author) and Vanessa Kroll Bennett (founder of Dynamo Girl) are both experts on puberty as well as moms of tweens and teens. They share not only their knowledge and observations from a professional and practical standpoint while infusing their own questions to help navigate the ups and downs of raising adolescents. They both allow a sense of community for parents to feel like they aren't going through the adolescent years alone. Guests are knowledgeable and practical in their approach, giving parents and teens listening a sense of ease and normalcy as they navigate the inevitable changes of puberty and adolescence.
Educational Value
a lot
Episodes cover a variety of topics of interests for adults raising tweens and teens that include positive body image, periods and period products, erections and nocturnal emissions, the adolescent brain, hygiene (or lack of), leaving emotional baggage behind when raising adolescents and the emotional rollercoaster of puberty, among others. Informative, science-based and humorous, this podcast offers practical, actionable advice. Approaches puberty from a holistic perspective.
Diverse Representations
a little
Co-hosts make it clear that puberty is not gendered, and are inclusive with their language. Even though puberty is a universal human experience, there is a lack of diverse representation that leaves out other cultural beliefs and approaches to puberty. One episode features co-founder of The Pad Project, which aims to end period stigma around the world. A majority of the experts and guests are white, with the exception of some like Mallika Chopra (daughter of Deepak Chopra) and Dr. Hina Talib.
Parents need to know that The Puberty Podcast is a weekly podcast where co-hosts Dr. Cara Natterson and Vanessa Kroll Bennett share their professional experience and research on puberty and also discuss their own questions as moms of tweens and teens with each other and expert guests. They both allow a sense of community for parents to feel like they aren't going through the adolescent years alone. Episodes offer science-based information and practical tips on topics pertaining to puberty -- periods, acne, erections, early and late bloomers, brain development, hormones and more. Since the podcast centers around puberty and the teenage experience, sex and issues of consent may be brought up and mention of words like "asshole" and occasional use of swearing give context when explaining typical teenage behavior.
These two are the helpful voice parents need as we navigate our kids’ tween, teen and early adult years. While they have content that’s relevant for kids, this podcast is aimed at parents and caregivers. Dr Cara Natterson gives the science of what’s happening to our kids, and Vanessa Kroll Bennett helps us take that information and turn it into conversations we can have with our kids. If you know me IRL and have a kid in this age bracket, I’ve already told you about this podcast. Cannot recommend it enough!*Now it’s called Less Awkward*
What’s It About?
THE PUBERTY PODCAST answers the "what and how" of raising kids through puberty. It gives concise, scientific information about the why of physical changes and behaviors during this stage of life -- acne, healthy body image, periods, erections, emotional outbursts -- and how to be a guide and support to kids going through it. Experiences and personal stories from the co-hosts and their guests are relatable and help to understand this transformational time in kids' lives. Conversations are honest and provide parents and kids a variety of tools and practical advice to navigate the twists and turns of puberty.
Co-hosts Dr. Cara Natterson and Vannesa Kroll Bennett are articulate, warm and cover topics with a blend of humor, reassurance, and relatability. They do the necessary work of mentioning things in The Puberty Podcast that make many parents as well as their tweens and teens uncomfortable. It offers helpful tips and insights to approach puberty with information that's backed by science. Episodes can be a bit lengthy, and the casual tone of conversations can be distracting at times. Guests are experts on puberty (pediatricians, clinical psychologists, psychotherapists, authors) and offer valuable points of views, practical advice and share facts to help understand puberty and make it more enjoyable for parents and kids alike. There is a lack of more diverse representation among guests and experts.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the ways in which The Puberty Podcast opens up the conversation about the unrealistic, sexualized and stereotypical images about bodies that are present in media. How are these images harmful? What would be more realistic and relatable?
How can parents and kids shift conversations around puberty from awkward or shameful to worthy and comfortable interactions to bring the family closer? Did listening to the podcast make having these conversations any easier?
Do you feel represented by the experiences and information shared on the podcast? Why or why not?
What are some puberty myths that were debunked after listening to the factual information on the show?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
suggesting a diversity update.
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
By Ana Hanssen
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
