Jeremy was in eighth grade the first time he heard the words "late bloomer" — his friends were teasing him about being short and having a high voice. Anna was around the same age when she realized she was the only one of her friends who still hadn't gotten her period. She was so embarrassed about it that she kept it a secret from them, and she kept pads in her backpack "just in case."

Puberty is a tough issue for all teens. But for those of us who have to lie in wait while we watch all our friends develop, it can be even tougher. So how do you overcome the late-bloomer blues?

Your Time Will Come

The first step is to accept the truth — that being a "late bloomer" is totally normal and nothing to be ashamed of! The fact is that teens start going through puberty at very different ages. Girls usually start anywhere between eight and 14 years old, and boys usually start anywhere between 10 and 17 years old.

Also, puberty doesn't happen all at once — it happens in stages. So a girl or boy may show some signs of puberty at an early age (like breasts beginning to grow or a voice that's starting to crack), but may not show other signs of puberty until she or he is much older (like getting a period or growing facial hair). Believe it or not, it can take up to 20 years of age for all changes to take place.

And how quickly you develop in your teen years doesn't necessarily affect how you'll look as an adult. Take Jeremy for example. "Throughout middle school and high school, I was always teased as one of the short kids," he says. "I didn't finish growing until I was in college, but now I'm taller than most of my friends."

Of course, not everyone turns out like Jeremy. Some people will stay short, and some girls may not see their breasts grow to the size they were hoping for. A common reason for disappointment is that people often hold themselves up to unfair standards. People who look like superstar athletes and runway models are a small minority, so it's unrealistic for us all to expect to grow into similar bodies.

No Shortcuts!

Another truth we have to accept is that there's no way to speed up the process of puberty. So, don't buy into the crazy claims of those creams and supplements that promise to make certain body parts bigger — when it comes to development, mother nature's the only thing that can get things going.

And interfering with the process can actually delay puberty. Malnourishment, eating disorders, and extreme exercise can all lead to late development. So the best thing you can do if you're a late bloomer is stay healthy — exercise in moderation and eat a balanced diet (sorry to sound like grandma!).

The Grass is Greener

Being an early bloomer isn't always fun either. For some people, growing breasts, having a period, or getting hair in new places at an early age can feel awkward. And having to deal with acne when most of your friends haven't even heard of benzoil peroxide is no picnic.

But whether you're an early bloomer or a late bloomer, the important thing to keep in mind is that puberty happens to everyone — it just doesn't happen to everyone at the same time. And just because you seem to be going through changes earlier or later than many of your friends, that doesn't mean there's something wrong with you.

Of course, if your rate of development is still getting you down, you can always talk to someone — older siblings and parents can be a great source of comfort. They may have experienced similar feelings while growing up ... and look at them now! And if you're really concerned that something's wrong or abnormal, it's probably a good idea to talk to your family physician or a clinician.