Krissi, age 12

Growing up isn’t just about the physical stuff. You’re changing in all kinds of ways, and fast, and this can take some getting used to. It just takes a while for your head to catch up with all the changes your body is making! We all have moments, like Ruth, when we’d like to give up and go back to when life was simpler, but that’s just not possible! Accepting yourself as you are now is the only way forward.

Ruth is still the same person as she always was, just a little older. Her feelings of irritation, clumsiness and confusion are not unusual – many of her friends will have moments when they feel the same, and if Ruth tries talking to them about this, she may not feel so alone.

Krissi is experiencing another aspect of growing up – she’s seeing the world around her, perhaps for the first time, and not liking what she sees. Growing up means realizing that your parents are only human and cannot protect you from everything in life, although they will try. Sometimes, bad things happen – scary things like illness and death and war and hunger.

Krissi worries that she cannot protect her family from these dangers, which obviously makes her feel very emotional and helpless. Realizing that the world is not a perfect place is bound to be frightening, but Krissi is not seeing the whole picture. Yes, there are bad things out there, but there are many, many good things as well. Love, kindness, community, friendship, family – these can keep us strong through good times and bad. And the world is a beautiful, amazing and awe-inspiring place too. Look for the good things, not the bad. There are plenty of them, I promise!

Feeling that you have the troubles of the world on your shoulders is a phase many teens go through, but it will pass. Life isn’t big and bad and scary – it’s a gift, and we owe it to ourselves not to waste a single minute.

OK, so period pains, spots, sweat problems and mood swings are not a whole bunch of fun, but although they can sometimes be a part of growing up, they are definitely temporary. They will ease off with time… honest!

Helpbox

Read It…

• It’s a Girl Thing by Lisa Clark (Macmillan) – the coolest ever growing-up guide!
• Wise Guides: Periods by Charlotte Owen (Hodder)
• Everything You Ever Wanted to Ask About… Periods by Tricia Kreitman, Dr Fiona Finlay & Dr Rosemary Jones (Piccadilly)
• What’s Happening to My Body? by Lynda Madaras (Newmarket Press)
• My Body, Myself by Lynda Madaras (Newmarket Press)
• Girls Only by Vic Parker (Hodder)

Websites:

• www.stopspots.org.uk – for information, advice and support on coping with teenage acne
• www.childrenfirst.nhs.uk – check out the kids or teens sites for lots of info on health and puberty-related issues.

Cathy’s Books… Published by Puffin

• Shine On, Daizy Star – boobs, bras and growing up…