Help! dealing with puberty

MortgageMamma

Hi All

I was wondering if someone could help me help my daughter

she is in the last year of primary school and has become to develop physically, I am taking her to get a bra fitted on saturday

She has been v emotional lately and low and says she doesnt know why, and is complaining of pains down below

I suspect her body is preparing for her first period, and I remember when I was that age and how alarmed I was when it happened to me (my mother didnt prepare me and was dissmissive when I thought I'd cut myself down below) I don't want my girl to go through this alone

I have had a brief chat with her tonight, but she didnt seem to take it in, so I wondered if anyone on here knew of a book I could buy her to explain things a little more sensitively - she may be less embarassed this way

Any suggestions would really help, and also, what age do you have to be to take pain relief such as paracetamol tablets? somehow giving her calpol doesnt seem to cut it anymore....

keelykat

Hi, hasnt the school had a chat about periods etc yet? We had a letter sent home in the last year of primary school asking if it was ok to do a talk with just the girls and the moms were invited in. This was obviously a while back-im now 23 lol, but im sure they still have talks.

If not-id get a book and let her flick through it and then discuss everything afterwards letting her ask questions when she wants to know anything.

Id also get her a little bag together with some towels/tampons in etc, and get her prepared in case she does get a period soon. You could get her a hot water bottle in a cute fluffy cover too, if shes getting pains.

I remember i went through exactly the same as your daughter-i first had back ache and had a terrible bad mood swing and then soon after i had my first period! i thought 'oh so that explains that then!' lol.

Id ask a pharmasist/chemist about painkillers if shes young.

Good luck, my sister is at almost the same stage with my niece who will be 10 in february!

keely.

Penny_Watcher

This thread was a good source of knowledge and support for parents of young ladies heading towards puberty.

Somewhere on the first page I posted a link to "The Care and Keeping of You", a book aimed at pre-teen girls. We've found it really.

Good Luck

sweetpickle_2

The book my daughter read was called "Everything you ever wanted to ask about periods"

I think its also good to talk very openly about your own experiences.

I also bought my daughter some dark knickers so no embarrassing stains show when she is getting changed for PE.

My daughter will never come for a bra fitting. I just take measurements and go and see the nice ladies in Marks and Spencers.

vyvyan_2

Have a look on Amazon book section and do a search for periods and you'll find a choice.

The fact she's a bit emotional and feeling low is very likely her homones are fluctuating, although in year 6 they have a lot to deal with - SATS, choosing secondary schools etc. It has also been the end of a very long Autumn term.

I think paracetamol is OK after the age of 12. Pop into see the pharmascist and ask but maybe not with her present as she'll die of embarrassment.

Your little chat might produce some questions after she's had a chance to think in her own time.

Make sure you've got a supply of sanitary towels and tampons of varying types handy.

MortgageMamma

thanks everyone, most helpful. I'm feeling all hormonal myself now!

greengrass

Hi
Just like to say my daughter is the same age, in her last year of juniors. The school had a chat with the girls alone and explained quite alot which was quite useful. My daughter felt alot better about it then, do you think it would be worth asking the school when they are going to discuss this.

MortgageMamma

I have just bought her a book off amazon called "Girls Only! All About Periods and Growing-up Stuff" by Victoria Parker I read through the first few pages, seems it will do the trick - hopefully in true moneysaving spirit it will help my six year old when her time comes!

hobo28

Hi MM. Good god doesn't time fly! At least I could delegate that to C!

I did try to sit down with my DD once to have "the chat" but i dunno who was more embarassed, me or her. So I did the honourable (ie. cowardly) thing and delegated it!

BTW, have sent you a facebook message.

SallyUK

Keeping on this subject, do most of you Mums give your daughters some pads to use or did you let them try tampons?

Reason I'm asking is I've never used tampons, as I don't find them comfortable at all, but what do you ladies do?

Also do you have some tips for when your daughters have PE, to avoid any embarassing experiences etc?

Thanks!

Sal
x

MortgageMamma

Hi

I would never give my girl tampons, I think pads are advanced enough these days to be hygienic - I always worry about the potential for toxic shock syndrome. When I was at school one of the schoolteachers daughters died of it age 14 when she forgot to remove her tampon.

Hobo - it only seems five minutes since our two little girls were running around with their my little ponies and now they are growing up fast. Don't know about you mate but it makes me feel OLD!!