Talking to kids about puberty, periods, and body changes can feel intimidating—but it’s one of the most powerful ways to support their confidence and well-being. According to Dr. Kari Stausmire, a Primary Care physician at Halifax Health, who cares for adolescents and families, the key is to start early, stay open, and normalize the conversation for everyone.
That kind of casual, age-appropriate approach can help lay the groundwork for more in-depth conversations down the road. “If you’ve never talked to your child about their body, having conversations about puberty, periods, or sex later on becomes much harder,” she explained. “But if you’ve always been honest and open, it’s just another step in an ongoing conversation.”
Dr. Stausmire encourages parents to use natural, everyday moments as teaching opportunities. Whether your child asks about a hygiene product at the store or walks into the bathroom while you’re changing, these are chances to keep the conversation going. “Don’t shut it down,” she advised. “Just explain it.”
And these conversations shouldn’t be limited to girls. “We need to educate the boys, too,” Dr. Stausmire said. “If we want them to grow up to be respectful and understanding, that starts now.”
When parents respond to curiosity with honesty—not embarrassment—they help their children feel safe, seen, and informed. “Kids will take their cues from you,” she said. “If you act like these topics are embarrassing or shameful, they’ll internalize that. But if you treat it like any other part of growing up, they’ll feel much more comfortable.”
Dr. Stausmire believes this kind of early education doesn’t just support healthy development, it builds trust. “You want your kids to come to you when they’re in an abusive relationship,” she said. “But they’re not going to do that if you’ve never talked about anything difficult.”
In other words, the best way to prepare for the big moments is to show up for the small ones—consistently and without judgment.
About Halifax Health
Halifax Health is the leading healthcare provider for Volusia and Flagler counties, offering a comprehensive range of services through a network that includes a tertiary hospital, two community hospitals, an urgent care network, psychiatric services, and a specialized cancer treatment center with multiple outreach locations. As the area’s only provider of a Level II Trauma Center, Center for Transplant Services, and a Pediatric Emergency Department staffed 24/7 by board-certified pediatricians, Halifax Health is also home to the Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, and Child and Adolescent Behavioral Services. In addition, Halifax Health has collaborated with UF Health to bring over fourteen specialties to the area.
Recognized for excellence and innovation, Halifax Health consistently receives top ratings, multiple accreditations from CARF International for inpatient rehabilitation, and the prestigious Novalis Certification of Excellence for its cancer treatment center. The organization has also achieved a 3 Star Rating from the Society of Thoracic Surgery for Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery, is designated as a Comprehensive Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence, and has been recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a Best Hospital, with high performance in heart failure, knee and hip replacement, abdominal aortic aneurysm repair, heart bypass surgery and TAVR procedures. In addition to being the region's longest-standing Thrombectomy-Capable Stroke Center, Halifax Health Medical Center of Daytona Beach has consistently earned AHA’s Get With The Guidelines® Stroke Gold Plus Honor Roll. With a legacy of excellence and community service since 1928, Halifax Health continues to set the standard for quality and compassionate care in the region.
