How to Talk to Teens About Puberty Without Making It Weird

You know it’s coming. The body changes, the mood swings, the mysterious smells, the need for extra long showers. And yeah - the first period.

Whether you’re a parent, carer or teacher, talking to a tween or teen about puberty can feel like trying to defuse a bomb while blindfolded. One wrong word and… boom: eye roll, awkward silence, or a dramatic “I KNOW ALREADY” from behind a closed bedroom door.

But it doesn’t have to be like that. With the right mindset - and a little prep - you can turn these chats into something empowering, stigma-free and actually helpful. No cringey metaphors, no outdated pamphlets. Just clear, human-first conversations that leave them feeling confident, not confused.

Let’s get into it.

A smiling adult woman stands with her arms around two girls, one in a black outfit and the other in a school uniform, representing supportive parenting through puberty.

Talking to Teens About Puberty: What to Say (and What to Avoid)

First rule? Say the words. Say period, not “time of the month.” Say vulva, not “down there.” Teens can smell vagueness a mile off, and if you act like the truth is taboo, that’s what they’ll absorb.

Here’s a quick cheat sheet:

🟢 Say:

  • “Your body’s changing - here’s what’s totally normal.”
  • “Periods happen to half the population. It’s not gross, it’s biology.”
  • “There’s no one way to feel. You might be moody or emotional and that’s okay.”

🔴 Avoid:

  • “You’ll become a woman soon.” (Nope - puberty ≠ instant maturity.)
  • “You’ll understand when you’re older.” (Why not help them understand now?)
  • “That’s private, we don’t talk about that.” (Message received: shame.)

Instead, keep your language open, honest, and shame-free. You’re not delivering a lecture - you’re opening a door.

Be Honest About Puberty Without Oversharing

It’s a fine line, right? You want to be real, but not too real. Especially when they’re your kid and suddenly you’re knee-deep in your own puberty flashbacks. Here’s the key: keep the spotlight on them, not you.

You don’t need to share every detail of your first period. But it can be powerful to say something like, “I remember having questions and being too embarrassed to ask. So if you’ve got any, I’ll always give you a straight answer.”

That’s it. No need to relive your tampon mishaps from the ‘90s.

Two smiling girls hold a large sign that reads “Confidence looks like this – WUKA,” celebrating body positivity and self-assurance during puberty.

Tips to Make Puberty Conversations Feel Normal (Not Awkward)

You don’t need to light a candle, sit on the edge of their bed and whisper, “We need to talk.” That’s a fast track to crickets and discomfort. Here’s how to keep it casual:

Make it many small chats, not one big one.

Puberty isn’t a one-off event, so don’t treat it like one. Drop little nuggets of info when the moment feels right - after a TV show, during a car ride, while unpacking the shopping.

Normalise period products around the house.


Leave the period pants out to dry. Mention you’re buying pads or WUKAs without whispering. Let them know these things aren’t hidden or weird.

Let them lead sometimes.


Ask what they’ve learned in school. Ask what they think. Let them roll their eyes - but don’t shut down the convo when they do. That eye roll? It means they’re listening (even if they pretend not to be).

Give them privacy and support.


Say things like, “You can tell me if you want, or just let me know what you need.” You’re not there to control the process. You’re there to be a calm, unflappable resource.

If You’re Calm, They’ll Be Curious.

Here’s your mic drop moment: If you’re calm, they’ll be curious. If you’re weird about it, they’ll run.

Teens mirror our energy. If we act like puberty is something awkward or gross, they’ll believe it is. But if we keep it relaxed, factual and judgement-free? We create the kind of safety that lets them ask real questions.

You don’t have to have all the answers. You just have to show up with openness, respect and a sense of humour. (A little eye-roll-proof sarcasm doesn’t hurt either.)

Close-up of the WUKA Period Starter Kit — a clear neon-trimmed zip pouch containing period pants, intimate wipes, and other essentials for teens starting their period.

Best Period Products for Teens: Practical Support That Works

Check out our WUKA Teen Period Starter Kit - 

made with real teens, for real life. No fluff. Just comfy, leak-proof period pants, helpful info, and zero stigma. It’s the kind of kit we wish we had growing up.

Inside, you’ll find everything to help your teen feel prepared, not panicked - including two pairs of WUKA Teen Stretch™ pants that grow with their body, a discreet two pocket changing bag for changes on the go, plus Sophie Elkan’s Girls’ Guide to Growing Up Great (a brilliant, stigma-smashing read). You also get a pack of new WUKA Intimate Wipes for freshen-ups on the go and a Heat Patch to help ease period cramps. No fluff, just real support — because growing up should feel empowered, not awkward.And that’s just the start.

And that’s just the start.

Our Teen Stretch™ period pants are available in a variety of flow levels, from heavy to super heavy, so your teen is covered no matter their cycle. And now, they come in new colours too - giving teens more choice to express their style while staying comfortable and confident.

Whether you're parenting through puberty or teaching the next generation, it helps to have a few tools in your back pocket - and a brand that’s got your back. Because periods shouldn’t be scary. And with WUKA, they won’t be.

Related posts

Surviving Your Period at School

How to Use Period Pants - a Guide for Parents and T(w)eens

Periods, Puberty & Power - Helping Teens Feel at Home in Their Bodies

Talking About Periods with Teens