Growing up is hard and often confusing. Your body is changing. Perhaps these changes are happening faster or slower than your friends and peers. These physical changes might concern you. You might even feel sad or angry at times. It's important for you to know that your emotions and concerns are normal.

Talking about personal matters with your family members or friends can sometimes be a hard thing to do. If you feel uncomfortable talking about particular issues with your parents, you can always ask your parents to schedule a visit to speak with your pediatrician. You don't need to be sick or hurt to see your pediatrician. Your pediatrician can answer questions about physical changes and puberty, healthy eating, a healthy weight for you, sports and fitness, peer pressure, conflicts with family or friends, alcohol, drugs, dating and any other concerns you might have. Hopefully theses answers will help you make the right decisions for you and your health.

When you come in for your pre-teen or teen visit with your pediatrician, your pediatrician will probably first talk with you and your parent together. It is important for your pediatrician to hear both your concerns and your parent's concerns. Usually, the next step in a visit is for you to spend some time alone with your pediatrician. This is important because it will help you learn how to take control of your own health, which is a big part of growing up.

Almost everything you talk about with your pediatrician is confidential, meaning that the information you share will stay between you and your pediatrician. There are only a few extreme situations when your pediatrician will need to involve other people, such as your parents. For example, if you share that your life or safety, or someone else's life, is in danger, your pediatrician is obligated by law to get additional help.

Remember that your pediatrician respects you. You should feel free to ask your pediatrician anything because any question you have is an important one. You will continue to face different challenges as you grow up.

Remember that your pediatrician is here to help.