Body changes
Intermediate concepts

Wet dreams and ejaculation

During puberty a boy starts to produce sperm and will begin to ejaculate.

Introduction

During puberty a boy starts to produce sperm and will begin to ejaculate. If the erect penis is stimulated, muscles contract, pushing semen (containing sperm) down the urethra and out the tip of the penis. This is called ejaculation

Sometimes ejaculation can happen during sleep. This is called a “wet dream”. Wet dreams are the body getting used to its new sperm production and usually happen less often as your child gets older.

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It can be a good idea to talk to your child about erections and wet dreams before they happen. This will help prepare your child. Let your child know that wet dreams:

happen to all boys
are normal
are part of growing up, just like growing hair under your arms and getting taller
will happen less often as they get older

Teaching your child to clean up after they have had a wet dream can help to build your child’s independence, teach them a new hygiene skill and avoid embarrassment. Not all children will be able to independently clean up after they have had a wet dream. This is OK. You can help your child to be as independent as possible by helping them do as much of the clean up as possible or setting up a system where they can let you know they have had a wet dream.

It can be a good idea to talk to your child about erections and wet dreams before they happen. This will help prepare your child. Let your child know that wet dreams:

happen to all boys
are normal
are part of growing up, just like growing hair under your arms and getting taller
will happen less often as they get older

It can be a good idea to talk to your child about erections and wet dreams before they happen. This will help prepare your child. Let your child know that wet dreams:

happen to all boys
are normal
are part of growing up, just like growing hair under your arms and getting taller
will happen less often as they get older

It can be a good idea to talk to your child about erections and wet dreams before they happen. This will help prepare your child. Let your child know that wet dreams:

happen to all boys
are normal
are part of growing up, just like growing hair under your arms and getting taller
will happen less often as they get older

Conversation Starters

You are growing up so fast. I thought we might have a look at some of these books and look at some of the changes that are going to happen to your body as you become an adult

You have been doing such a good job of putting your deodorant on and washing your face lately. I think it’s time we started talking about some of the other changes that are going to happen to your body as you grow up

Wet dreams happen to a lot of boys your age. I thought maybe we could look at some information together so you know what to do when you have a wet dream

Strategies for you to try

Visual schedule

Create a visual schedule that shows your child what they need to do to clean up after they have had a wet dream.

Use resources

Use some of the resources listed below to talk to your child about wet dreams. These resources can help you to find the right words to use when talking to your child. The pictures can also help your child to better understand what you are talking to them about.

Private and Public

Revisit private and public with your child. Remind them that the penis is a private body part and touching it is a private behaviour that can only happen in a private place. You can use the private and public sorting game mentioned here to go over these concepts again.