Lori Reichel, an Assistant Professor of Health Education and Health Promotion  at UWL, has just published her first book, “Prepping Parents for Puberty Talks.” Reichel’s book serves as a parental resource with simple answers to puberty related questions that children may ask.

Written in question and answer format, Prepping Parents for Puberty Talks” provides parents with simple and direct answers to questions like “Why do girls hips widen? A kid in my school is a boy but likes to dress like a girl. Is that okay? Which are better to use: menstrual pads or tampons?  Adults sometimes are nervous that they are going to say the “wrong thing” or too much all together. It was Reichel’s goal to make parents feel comfortable, because being comfortable helps to foster positive communication with children beginning at a young age.

As a former school health educator, Reichel presented many talks about puberty to both children and adults alike. She got her inspiration for the book by speaking with numerous parents on this topic.  Many parents asked her if she could save questions kids would ask during puberty talks so they would know what kids are curious about. She did, and her book was created by that compilation.

Reichel truly believes that parents need and want a simple resource. More than that, they deserve one. Many people were not taught by a trusted adult about puberty and/or other sexuality topics. Many had to learn from friends, by reading books or worse, by going online. She saw a need to provide a resource for adults to teach children in appropriate ways. This provided her with the ambition to collect the questions and to write the book, a process that was about six years in the making.

“Prepping Parents for Puberty Talks” is a unique read for parenting adults. There are numerous books existing for children, yet a limited number specifically for adults on how to talk with children. Also, some of the existing books for parents/adults have the word “sex” in the title, a 3-letter word that can be scary to some parents and create negative responses. The book exhibits a friendly, non-threatening, approachable feel that makes the conversation of puberty seem less daunting.

The book has received stellar feedback from parents thus far.  According to Reichel “One father skimmed over some of the pages in front of me, laughed, and then stated, these questions are exactly what/how kids ask.”  The book has already served as a resource for health educators/teachers at the elementary school level, again receiving overwhelmingly positive feedback.

When asked about sporting the nickname “Puberty Professor,” Reichel responded that she embraces the title.

“I am okay being the person others can talk to about basic human sexuality topics, including puberty.”

Reichel hopes to continue seeing her book used by both parents and educators.  “Prepping Parents for Puberty Talks” can be found online in either e-book or paper format.