Daughter Growing Up

betsie

Hi my DD is 10 and I have exactly the same thoughts, she is very tall as well (but thin) although she hasn't started growing boobs yet (although I think she is quite looking forward to having some) she now needs deo and hair is sprouting in all the places you don't want it too.
She is in year 5 and I know one of the girls in her class started her periods in year 4 so they all seem to know whats going on. I always thought that they were more likely to start their periods early if they were quite chunky as the extra fat causes them to produce more of certain hormones.

meer53

My daughter started to grow pubic hair and little boobs when she was about 9. She's 12 and a half now, no periods yet. Don't think they're far away though, cramp type pain and very moody at the moment ! Oh Joy

patanne

Well it is a long time since my periods started ( a very long time) but I knew what to expect so that was not a problem. But why on earth did no-one explain the practicalities. Sounds silly maybe & maybe I was just unfortunate that I started whilst on going holiday. But why did no-one think to explain what you do with a pad when you no longer need it etc? So your daughter may well know all the theory but please also make sure she knows the practical side too.

Mado

I borrowed a great book from the library a few years ago, named 'the period book' and it really covered a lot of technical issues and a bit about emotions too.; i gave it to her and said she should have a look and then she could come and ask any question. I later found it in a charity shop, so bought it for her.

My DD has never really wanted to talk much, so I haven't pushed too much either ( apart from the safe(r) sex message and making she knows she can always say no as she is now 15).

She told me the day she started her period, and I bought her a bag full of different pads and tampons telling her to experiment and find what she was most comfortable with. And a very large chocolate bar. [she had been given pads before starting]
These days, all stock is in the communal bathrrom cupboard and replenished by me.

podperson

I know it might seem awkward to bring up but if she's 11 then she could easily start her periods anytime now and it will be worse for her to feel upset/scared because she doesn't understand what's going on or that she can't talk to you about it because you've avoided the subject with her. My mum brought it up with me when I was about 10 and she told me that her mum had never bothered discussing it with her and she thought she was dying or something when she started her first one! If you've bought pads already then tell her where they are for if she needs them, she might possibly want to have one discretely in her school bag as well just in case. Perhaps tmi but I 'started' at school and had nothing for it and remember feeling horribly self-conscious and uncomfortable all day.

dundeediva

Please speak to her asap. My periods started when I was 11 but my mum spoke to me about everything when I was 8 or 9. Imagine if they started and you hadn't had the "talk". I would be terrified if my mum didnt tell me to expect it!

I think the more open you are about things to her the more likely she is to come to you with issues and questions. i would rather it that way. Each to their own I suppose. Hope it goes well x

RazWaz

podperson wrote: »

Perhaps tmi but I 'started' at school and had nothing for it and remember feeling horribly self-conscious and uncomfortable all day.

I 'started' on a school holiday to italy! :eek: and the boys found my white knickers and kept shouting I'd poo'd myself I wasn't sure if it was worse to tell them the truth :rotfl:

idea

I'm adding my vote for please talk to her and please get supplies in. My mum said nothing to me. I remember starting my period and showing her my knickers as I wasn't sure what was going on. She then took me to the local town (as we lived in a little village - no shops) and my dad came too. I was mortified! If only she'd talked to me and got something in before I had started. I think however she was herself in denial about me growing up!

claire16c

Another point - dont assume that because shes a teen buying 'teen' pads is a good idea. Buy some normal ones.

Many girls including myself had horrendous periods as a teenager and there is no way some kind of smaller pad would be a good idea!

Person_one

claire16c wrote: »

Another point - dont assume that because shes a teen buying 'teen' pads is a good idea. Buy some normal ones.

Many girls including myself had horrendous periods as a teenager and there is no way some kind of smaller pad would be a good idea!

I had no idea 'teen' pads even existed. What a daft idea, its well known that they can be very heavy and irregular for the first few years while hormones are all over the place.

My periods were far worse at 13/14 than in my twenties.