Early Puberty

Hewie29

My daughter started her periods last night too, age 10, in year 5. Was a bit of a shock for both of us, although she has been devloping for a while, she did not have any of the tell tale signs, no stomach cramps, mood swings. They had the period talk on friday at school, talk about timing!

One thing last night was that she did'nt want a sole to know apart from myself and her dad.

However, after having a chat this morning she realised that the year 5 toilets did not have any bins to put her used pads in and that we would need to speak to her teacher. Her teacher was very understanding and checked the toilets to find there was a bin there and we told her how to use the bin.

On collecting her from school today and my daughter telling me that she didn't want anyone to know, she then told me that she told about 5 of her friends.

I am amazed at my little girl and how grown up she has been and how she has taken it all in her stride.

One thing she did ask me this morning was whether she would still be able to do handstands!!!!

Leela

mishkanorman wrote: »

I was 8 when my periods started, My mum didnt find out till I was about 10 / 11 as I just got on with things.


My poor sister however was 16 and was questioned almost daily by my mum to see if she had started yet !

:rotfl:

I'd love to know if you actually believe the rubbish you make up!

mrsspendalot

boots_babe wrote: »

I have to say I'm pretty shocked at this. Imagine how distressing, upsetting and confusing it will be for her if she starts and nobody has explained to her? :mad:

I will have the talk with her, after reading this thread it has made me think maybe I've been leaving it too late It's just when I was at school, no one had started their period before secondary school, so I kind of thought that as long as I had talked to her before then, I would be 'in time'. Clearly it's happening younger and younger and I just haven't given it the thought it needs. That said, all my pads and tampons are in the toilet, and they always are, so there is no secret to having them around.

If I'm perfectly honest, I never had the talk from my mum, we had it at school. I had my DD young (she's nearly 11 and I'm only 30) and I do find it a struggle sometimes getting my head around parenting a child who is so 'old' if that makes sense. I feel like I'm a better mum to my younger children, as I've matured more over the years and feel better prepared at being a mum now than I did when I was 19. I guess I just judged this wrong too

flora48

I worked in a large primary school and girls starting periods in Year 6 was not unusual. The female staff were always supportive and prepared with stocks of pads. Our biggest problem was lack of segregated PE changing areas, we had to send the boys out into the corrdor to get changed for PE, supervisory nightmare!! Our Health Education programme in Year 5 entailed visits from the school nurse to explain the whole reproductive process and I would heartily recommend any parent of a girl in year 5 to have the 'chat'. Forewarned is forearmed!

Mrs_Ryan

I was 10 when I started mine, school was a nightmare as I had a male teacher in my last year so I just had to try and keep it to myself as much as possible. Mum had given me the talk already but she wasnt prepared - my first pads were horrible, cheap ones as I woke up on a Sunday morning and she just had to dash off to the corner shop and buy whatever they had until Monday morning when Boots opened and she could get me some proper ones (bear in mind this was 1990 and before when most places opened Sundays)
It wasnt a nice feeling - I remember being really upset about it!!

lost_soul_78

I was 9 when I started had to ask older sister because my mom was to embarressed to explain.
best advice keep lots of pads etc where they can access without having to ask.

Lottie_Clements

This one is recommended by the NHS (take that as good or bad as you will) http://www.amazon.co.uk/Boys-Girls-Only-Discusses-Mysteries/dp/1600610692/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1300266867&sr=8-1

The only thing I'd suggest is make sure you get one that is aimed for girls in the UK, my mum got me an American book when I was about 11/12, and while it was very highly rated, it went into graphic detail about gynaecological exams and PAP smears (which American girls can look forward to as teenagers apparently!) which terrified me until I was about 17. I'm 23 now, and while I still won't get called for a smear test for another 18 months or so, I'm terrified of going in case it's anything like what was described in that book! I will go, obviously, but I wouldn't be half as nervous about it if I'd just known about the UK routine of screening, rather than the horror story dictated in books for American girls.

lucylucy

Thank you so much everyone for the book recommendations, the advice and good wishes and for sharing your experiences and reassurance. I'm truly very grateful indeed!

A quick update: She has already stopped bleeding but is aware it could be back anytime. I know it can be very irregular for a while at first.

I talked to the school and my daughter now knows which loo has disposal facilities. Her teacher will excuse her from lessons to use the loo when she needs to.

We went shopping and (as well as a few treats and some chocolate) we bought a few different packs of towels so she can find the best ones for her. I noticed ASDA do a "Teen" range. Not sure how they are different but we got a pack anyway.

I love how they are quite thin and individually wrapped these days! A world apart from those awful huge things with loops that I had to have at first!

I got a bin for the bathroom, thanks for that suggestion!

We're waiting for the books to arrive

Thanks again

Abbafan1972

Thanks for this thread. Those books mentioned look really interesting and I think I might have to get something really soon. I haven't had a "talk" with my DD's yet, but my eldest is 9 and I've noticed that she's started to "develop" in certain areas and am wondering if she will start earlier than the other girls in her class.

Also my youngest DD is 7 at the end of this month and is very grown up for her age, so she will need talking to about it a lot earlier I think.

pigpen

Don't count on it being irregular all of my 4 sisters, me and my daughters have had very regular 28-31 day cycles from the off.