Nadia and Maddie Sawalha

Making Talking Puberty Easy with Nadia Sawalha #TeenTalk

Honest Mum
Nadia and Maddie Sawalha

We all remember having the dreaded talk with our parents as teenagers about puberty!

From first periods to sprouting hair where there was none (insert hiding eyes monkey emoticon), broaching sensitive and personal subjects – even with family members – is enough to make even the coolest of cucumbers become overwhelmed with anxiety, especially during those awkward early teenage years.

I developed quite early compared to some of my classmates- and was one of the first girls at school to wear a bra. I distinctly remember a group of children lifting my shirt at playtime to assess what exactly this contraption was-it was pretty cringe-y!

My eldest is aged just 6 so I have a few years yet before he hits puberty (although he already behaves like a stroppy teenager at time; he becomes frustrated as he has quite the developed mind that doesn’t naturally match his emotional maturity. Apparently I was the same as a child.

I know it won’t be long before we’ll be discussing adolescence in more depth and I’m feeling empowered thanks to Nadia Sawalha…

If you own ‘teen conversation’ is looming, Nadia is here to help. She has teamed up with Boots and trusted brands including Always, Gillette, Tampax and Venus as well as Boots Tea Tree and Witch Hazel, to reach out to parents across the UK with the tools and tips they need to have the all-important #TeenTalk.

Nadia Sawalha

New research by Boots and Proctor and Gamble shows that it isn’t just teens who dread having the conversation.

68% of parents also find it difficult to broach the subject of puberty with their kids, while 25% of parents avoid it all together.

In fact, the research reveals that having the #TeenTalk is deemed to be more difficult than breaking up with someone, doing a presentation and even asking a person out on a date. Wow!

Despite this, over three quarters of teens still see their parents as the first port of call for help and advice with 49% happiest speaking to their mum.

However, in this digital age, more and more tech savvy teens are turning to social media and the internet for advice (53%) with 6% using Whatsapp and texts.

Discussing the research, Nadia Sawalha says,

‘As a mum, I understand all too well the challenges of communicating with teens. They suddenly go from wanting to tell mum everything, to one word answers! And you can’t solve things with a quick cuddle or a sweet treat. First shaves, first periods and new personal hygiene and skincare regimes are all unfamiliar experiences for teens and can be difficult topics for parents to approach’.

Maddie Sawalha

Campaign expert and teenologist Sarah Newton believes parents are putting too much pressure on themselves to get it right, which is due to the fact that for most parents this will be one of the first ‘big talks’ they have with their kids.

So how should we approach the #TeenTalk?

Sarah advises it’s best to be straight, ‘It’s about giving them the facts. Being honest but not overwhelming them with information. They will come back and ask more questions when they are ready. Don’t forget that the #TeenTalk isn’t one single chat, but an ongoing conversation about empowerment and choice and what better conversation is there to have?’.

This is where the #TeenTalk guide comes in, which you can download for free here.

The guide gives parents invaluable insight topics such as the ‘teenage brain’ and teen behaviours with advice on what to expect as they approach ‘the chat’.

Nadia Sawalha on Teen Talk

The guide includes helpful tips on grooming, personal care and body changes, backed up by Nadia and her daughter Maddie’s own experiences.

Plus, you can find discounts on essential products to help your teen through puberty too.

Savings can be made on trusted brands including Always, Tampax, Gillette, Venus and Boots Tea Tree & Witch Hazel products which help with all the new milestones growing up, brings.

I remember honesty meant a lot to me growing up and my parents just listening to how hard life sometimes felt-when my body didn’t feel like my own any more and I needed answers and quickly.

I wish this guide had been available then!

Read more and watch the video at Boots’ #TeenTalk.

Have you had the talk with your own teen?

If so, I’d love to hear about your experiences in the comments.

 

This is a commissioned post. 


Celebrity mum Nadia Sawalha and her teenage daughter Maddie, have joined forces with Boots and trusted brands including Always, Gillette, Tampax and Venus as well as Boots Tea tree and Witch Hazel to reach out to parents across the UK with the tools and tips they need to have the all-important ‘teen conversation’.

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