13 y/o son & puberty

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-08-2006
13 y/o son & puberty
7
Sun, 06-10-2007 - 5:04pm

My son is going through puberty.
His voice is changing, he's growing, etc.
Well I have noticed that he is constantly "jiggling" himself. (sorry, lack of a better word)
I keep asking him if his underwear are bothering him, he's itchy etc. and telling him to stop. is this normal??? I know all that stuff is changing, but I have a friend who commented on it and is thinking it's some kind of tic because of his ADHD and asking me if he's on his meds. (I don't give him his meds during the summer)

Is this normal and just something I need to talk to him about?
thanks

Avatar for jbgattuso
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-29-2003
Sun, 06-10-2007 - 6:02pm

You know, now that you mention it, DS's both did the same thing and I remember thinking it was all the time, now, I never see them do it. Maybe there is something that goes on in the beginning that actually makes them "fiddle" or "jiggle" with it LOL I don't think it would be a tick of some sort, just a teenage boy :)

Julie

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Sun, 06-10-2007 - 6:09pm
I think it's a good idea to up the underwear a size. They may still fit in the waist but feel confining 'elsewhere'. And they are likely self conscious enough about it to jiggle
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-16-1999
Sun, 06-10-2007 - 10:00pm

The underwear theory may have some value... this is about the age that my DSs all changed from briefs to boxers or boxer briefs. They all "jiggled" some at this age too - maybe it's the age?

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2005
Mon, 06-11-2007 - 8:23am

That's when my son brought up the fact that his boxer briefs were uncomfortable and we switched him over to regular boxers. IMO it would be worth talking to him about it.

stacy

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-14-2007
Mon, 06-11-2007 - 3:18pm
FWIW, I guess my experience was the opposite of everyone else's. My son, who is now 13, went through puberty in the last year and a half or so. He never "jiggled" (although there has been plenty of other weird stuff!), and he switched from boxers to briefs during this time. Go figure.
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-13-2004
Mon, 06-11-2007 - 4:25pm

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I would recommend you don't bring this up to him.
At this age, the testosterone levels are quite high. It's impossible for them to sit still. It most likely is not anything specifically related to his parts or type of underwear.

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-24-2005
Thu, 06-14-2007 - 12:18am
As a 36 yo male, I think I can chime in a little late here with some useful input even though it's been some time.
First of all, most females don't understand that ANYTHING can cause an erection at these early ages of puberty. I specifically remember that happening and trying to think of dead cats, or anything else to make it stop and NOTHING worked. Once it started, you sort of had to just let it go and hope your teacher didn't call you to write something on the blackboard (lol).
Also, I seem to remember something about hair growing in making things unconfortable at times as well.
My 2 boys who have gone through or are going through and the next one who is beginning haven't really been noticed in public doing anything different than before, but I guess it's different for everyone.
Overall, if he's not complaining, I'd leave it go. Maybe his dad can just tell him that he's available if there's any questions. By 13, at least some talking on these subjects should have been going on anyway.
Good luck!