Children starting to talk about attractions

[boyshelp]

My 9 year old boy just told me that he thinks some of my friends are pretty and he thinks that may be "weird" or "strange". In particular he keeps talking about my best friend. I keep re-assuring him that it is ok to think people of all ages are pretty and attractive this is very "normal" and common. I truly think it is, I remember thinking some of my parents friends were extra handsome, but now I need some re-assurance. What are boys supposed to think at 9 1/2? He has crushes on girls his own age, and says this is not a crush on my friend, but I am thinking it is a little crush. Is this normal....????

[megochick101]

That sounds completely normal to me! I used to have crushes on my mom's friends too when i was younger. Like supermomma said though it sounds like he is mature enough and ready for the birds and the bees talk, if he hasn't had it already.

[supermomma531]

I think this totally normal for any child coming so close to puberty. Things are changing and so are the way he looks at people. All you can do is keep communication lines open with him and keep trying to guide him as you see fit. If you need to be more reassured, then maybe researching adolescence or pre- teen expectations would help. There are a lot of different parenting book or psychology books written by professionals who study specific things for years. This would probably be the perfect time to start having the "dreaded talk" as he would probably see it. I hope this has been helpful.